Corona crisis: End of the line in the Caribbean? German sailors plan trip home

As in Europe and all over the world, life for sailors on long voyages has changed in the blink of an eye in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic. In times of sudden border closures and tourist travel bans, the uncertainty of no longer being able to enter anywhere and possibly even being deported is great. YACHT online has already reported on the situation of some crews.

For all those who are currently in the Caribbean with their ship, however, the fact that the hurricane season starts there in early summer and the caravan of long-distance sailors normally continues its journey through the Panama Canal into the Pacific is an additional complication. Alternatively, the crew may move their boat to a location outside the hurricane belt.

Both are currently impossible and the sailors are worried about how things will continue.

No easy way back

Many now only see a way out in the long haul back to their home country. For the German Caribbean sailors, this means a good 4,000 nautical miles back across the North Atlantic, at a time when there is great uncertainty as to whether ports of call, for example in the Azores or Western Europe, will let sailors in at all. Even if only for provisioning and bunkering fuel.

Even those who had not planned a circumnavigation but simply an upcoming Atlantic crossing to Europe are faced with these questions. The logistics required for such a voyage become an immense challenge; transfer crews, for example, are unable to arrive.

An initiative is therefore currently being formed among German Caribbean sailors to share information and liaise with the authorities. In the network, the sailors exchange information on which harbours can still be called at and what the rules are for clearing in and out as well as the local supply situation.

Crisis management via WhatsApp group

To this end, on 24 March, the WhatsApp group "Sailing Home German" was founded. It already has over 100 members - German blue water sailors who are now coordinating and sharing information on how to make the big leap back despite the crisis and how to obtain official support.

The sailors collect their planned departure dates by means of an online survey. In addition, a Petition to the Federal Foreign Office launched in which almost 500 sailors have appealed to the German government to ensure that there are "safe harbours in all countries for returning sailors. (...) Please help us!"

Hope for Azores pit stop

According to www.noonsite.com, the three Azorean harbours of Horta/Faial, Ponta Delgada/São Miguel and Angra do Heroísmo/Terceira are currently still allowing yachts to enter, albeit under stricter conditions.

Trans-Ocean reported on this on the basis of the base reports as of 17 March:

"Portugal - Azores - All harbours are closed until 14.04. (update 17.3.) - from Horta it says: Sailing boats can call at Horta, but must register (if possible 24 hours in advance) by VHF / telephone and ask for permission. They may then anchor in the harbour basin until a health officer (delegado de saúde) comes on board and gives permission to fill up with water or diesel. The crew is not allowed to go ashore. Food can only be bunkered ashore via a third party (valid until 31 March for the time being)."

ARC Europe considers route change

The British World Cruising Club (WCC), organiser of the annual Atlantic Rally for Cruisers and other blue water flotillas, may also have to change its plans for the "ARC Europe" at the beginning of May. The route actually leads from Tortola, Bermuda or Portsmouth/USA via the Azores to Lagos or Plymouth in Europe.

There may now be other ports of departure, according to the WCC. The stopover in the Azores will only be a short supply stop.

"There is no doubt that the rally will be an adventurous crossing and is not suitable for those planning a voyage of discovery across the Atlantic. For them, it is better to postpone it for a year," reads a statement from the WCC.

All participants in 2020 have been contacted and offered to postpone their participation until next year. All those who still want to sail across the Atlantic this year are assured of the greatest possible support.