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The Tall Ships Races COVID-19 Planning

As organisers of The Tall Ships Races, Sail Training International and our Host Port partners are committed to providing safe events for trainees, staff, volunteers, vessel operators, partners and visitors alike.

Following the decision to cancel The Tall Ships Races 2021 and confirmation that The Tall Ships Races Magellan-Elcano 500 Series would not take place in 2021, we now look forward to returning with The Tall Ships Races 2022, The Tall Ships Races 2023 and The Tall Ships Races 2024.

As the events draw nearer we continue to work as closely as possible with our Host Port partners and the Tall Ships fleet to ensure that all of this year’s events take place in the safest way possible.

Through ongoing consultations with local and regional authorities, medical experts and other organisations who have successfully hosted events during the ongoing pandemic, we are confident of providing a COVID-19 compliant environment as we bring the unique spectacle of The Tall Ships Races to Europe once again.

To ensure we are able to provide the safest environment possible for trainees, crews and visitors alike, we have set up dedicated committees who are looking at the best measures to manage the risks posed by COVID-19 in each Host Port stop.

For all of our events, each Host Port event shall operate in adherence to all local COVID-19 regulations and requirements in place at the time and all measures will reflect this.

We are continually aware of the changing developments across the Host Port countries we are visiting and will be tailoring our approach to best protect everyone involved.

We strongly recommend vessels to monitor the COVID-19 regulations and restrictions currently in place in each country and to ensure that they have an established written COVID-19 protocol outlining their actions in minimising the risks onboard and the actions that the vessel will take in the event of a COVID-19 situation onboard.

If you have any questions relating to The Tall Ships Races 2022, The Tall Ships Races 2023 or The Tall Ships Races 2024, you can contact us at any time through office@sailtraininginternational.org.

 

To help vessel operators as they operate during the COVID-19 pandemic, we also have created a library of shared resources and documents.

To request access, please contact office@sailtraininginternational.org.

Captains’ Page

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 

Does Sail Training International require a negative COVID-19 test before trainees can embark and if so, how will this be monitored?

Whilst we recommend that trainees are tested before boarding, we do not require negative tests ourselves. It is the vessel operator’s responsibility to ensure that individuals are COVID-19 free.

Please refer to the individual Host Port Captain’s Manuals once issued and check with the individual host port for specific port requirements.

Will ports require COVID-19 Vaccine Passports?

Ports will operate according to local regulations in place at the time. Please keep up to date on those requirements through the ports links below.

Are ports prepared to host participating vessels for full quarantine period if required?

Yes.

Will vessels be accepted into port if they have had positive cases on board and are still within the required quarantine period?

Vessels with positive cases will be accepted and will have to berth on quarantine quays identified by the Host Ports.

Will my voyage to the Host Port count as part of the quarantine requirement for the country of arrival?

Each Host Port is currently working on approval for such a situation.

Can ports guarantee that the crew will be allowed ashore during their stay in port?

Vessels and those onboard will have to conform to the regulations in place in each port at the time. We anticipate that crew will be allowed ashore but limits upon the numbers in any group, but this is subject to change.

If crew are not allowed ashore, will they have access to facilities and provisions (showers, toilets, fuel, water, sail makers etc)?

In the event that crew are not allowed ashore, then support for facilities and provisions will be available.

Is the port able to confirm that ships will not be asked to raft up next to each other to ensure vessels can maintain their contact bubbles?

The current berthing plans do not include any vessels rafting up.

Will ships and their crew need to register for track and trace system in port?

At time of writing it is unlikely that ships and their crew will need to register for track and trace in port, but this is to be confirmed and any requirements will be communicated to vessel operators and Captains.

Are any ports available for vessels as ports of refuge on the way to the Race, during the Race and on the way back to their home port after the Race?

Whilst not officially engaged a number of ports have shown a willingness to support vessels in transit – please contact office@sailtraininginternational.org if you would like to discuss this further.

What in port trainee and crew activities can be expected?

Each port has made plans for activities according to the situation and guidelines that exist at the time, which will be dependant on the level of COVID-19 restrictions in place.

Will vessels be able to host on board receptions?

Vessels will be able to host receptions according to their flag state regulations and the regulations in place in the Host Port at the time.

Is the intention of Host Ports for vessels to offer open ship?

Decisions regarding open ship will be made according to the situation and guidelines that exist at the time, which will be dependant on the level of COVID-19 restrictions in place. Please check with individual Host Ports to confirm any arrangements.

Is there a standard list of COVID-19 safety materials that should be carried onboard?

You can examples of protocol documents and templates in our COVID-19 Document Library on our Captains Page.

What will vessels do if they have a positive case on board on the way to any of the Race Ports?

It is up to the individual Vessel to decide on how to respond. We encourage vessels to develop a set of protocols to cater COVID-19 scenarios and have requested that they forward such protocols to the ports in advance.

Are vessels implementing regular testing?

Vessels are operating very differently. Most vessels operating at this time require a negative test prior to boarding and then monitor the health of individuals whilst on board.

Are crews and trainees required to be vaccinated in order to take part in a voyage?

Vaccination is not a requirement at this time to take part in any voyages.

Are ships accepting crews from different nationalities?

A number of vessels are accepting crew members and trainees from outside countries. The specific numbers regarding this will become clearer as we get closer to the races. We have asked the vessels for an indication at this stage and will update accordingly.

What are vessel operators’ plans to comply with travel and quarantine restrictions for incoming trainees?

All vessels are required to conform to regulations in place at the time. Please contact individual entered vessels for further details and procedures.

What are the provisions if any member of the crew or trainees test positive whilst on board?

This will vary between vessels. We are encouraging vessels to develop their own protocols and provided examples of existing COVID-19 protocols. We are requesting vessels send their protocols to Host Ports once published.

Who is the designated point of contact on a vessel for any COVID-19 related issues?

Unless stated otherwise, the Captain remains the designated point of contact on a vessel.

Has the Sail Training International Race Team made provisions for one or more of its members not being able to travel to the event due to COVID-19 infection?

Sail Training International has made arrangements for a combination of virtual work, reassigning tasks and utilising local contractors in case of COVID-19 related travel disruption.

Will members the Sail Training International Race Team be vaccinated on arrival to ports?

Sail Training International is not making vaccination a requirement for travel at this time, however it appears that most of our team will have received a complete vaccination by the time of the event.

Has Sail Training International made provisions for the quarantine requirements on arrival to ports?

Due to the changing nature of the pandemic, this is an ongoing discussion at this time.

What measures will the Sail Training International Race Team have in place to ensure that they can carry out their work in port in a COVID-19 safe manner?

A Risk assessment and planning document has been developed and will continue to be updated to ensure it is appropriate to the circumstances present on the Event. The Sail Training International Race Team will ensure that it complies to any restrictions in place in port.

Do I need to be vaccinated in order to take part?

Vaccination is not a requirement at this time to take part in our events.

Will I need to be COVID-19 tested to join a vessel?

On board testing is the responsibility of the vessel, please contact your operator to find out if testing is required. We advise some level of testing is carried out be operators.

Will I need to be COVID-19 tested to enter a port?

In port testing is yet to be confirmed and will differ in each country, depending on the situation of the pandemic. Please refer to the relevant links below.

Will I need to be COVID-19 tested to be allowed ashore?

Unless a vessel is in quarantine, vessels and those on board will be able to move according to the regulations and restrictions in place in the port at the time. We do not anticipate the requirement of testing at this stage, but this is subject to change.

Who will pay for my COVID-19 tests?

Please contact the vessel you are joining for information regarding this and compliance to their protocols.

What happens if I test positive during the voyage?

You will have to conform to your vessel’s COVID-19 protocols.

What happens if I test positive whilst in port?

Your vessel’s captain would be the individual responsible for your care. Sail Training International have a COVID-19 support team who will liaise with the vessel’s captain and the Host Port to ensure your safety and wellbeing.

What can I expect when I arrive in port in terms of crew activities?

Each port has made plans for activities according to the situation and guidelines that exist at the time, which will be dependant on the level of COVID-19 restrictions in place.

Will I be allowed out of the event area whilst in port?

This will be determined by the regulations and restrictions in place at the time in each country and more information will be available nearer the time. Please check with your vessel operator for updates.

Are there special arrangements for travel to and from my vessel and the airport?

Please contact your vessel operator for information. Details and guidance on this will be communicated to them nearer the time.

What measures will be in place on board to keep me COVID-19 safe?

Each vessel will operate differently according to its size, type of vessel and operation. We recommend you ask the vessel operator what measures are in place for you.

What measures will be in place in port to keep me COVID-19 safe?

All activities both in the ports and the surrounding cities will be according to the regulations in place at the time. We advise everyone to maintain their own awareness of hygiene and avoiding close contact (social distancing, hand washing, wearing face masks etc).

Is Sail Training International able to financially support any of the participating vessels in the event that a trainee tests positive prior to the voyage and is unable to join?

As a charity with limited funds, Sail Training International is not able to financially support participating vessels.

If people drop out of sailing onboard our vessel due to COVID-19, do Sail Training International have a list of potential people interested in taking part who a berth could be sold to?

Each Host Port has a contracted obligation to provide trainees. In addition to this Sail Training International has set aside additional funding through the Oman Bursary scheme to support local trainee recruitment through the Host Ports. Details of how to apply for an Oman Bursary are available here.

Are separate transport arrangements being arranged to transfer trainees and crew back to the airport for onward travel?

If you are a vessel, please refer to individual Host Port Captain’s Manuals once issued and check with the individual host ports for specific requirements.

If you are a trainee, please check with the vessel you will be sailing on.

What provisions will be made for crew change if a ship has a positive case on board?

Every vessel must conform to flag state requirements with regard to health on board and have an appropriate COVID-19 protocol document. You can examples of these in our COVID-19 Document Library on our Captains Page.

The port would require advance notice and the vessel would have to comply with requirements from the port.

If you are trainee, please refer to the vessel you will be sailing on.

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