Brenda and I are now fully vaccinated and our boys, will soon be as well. With the summer cruising season up0n us, thoughts turn to staying safe on the water and how one’s “status” will play out when it comes to socializing.
A big part of the cruising lifestyle is spending time together aboard and the ubiquitous “sundowners” at the end of the day with friends. Sure, most of the time these encounters are outdoors in the cockpit but behind the dodger on Pandora, you might as well be indoors. With the pandemic still in full swing, especially for those who have not been vaccinated, we will have to decide how we will handle the inevitable question of “have you been vaccinated?” when it comes to having someone come aboard.
Over the years we have hosted countless gatherings without thinking about anyone’s health but now?
For seven years I co-organized an event for cruisers at our local club. Imagine that now?
Jammed under Pandora’s hard dodger these days? Not so sure about that.
The arrival events in Antigua, sans mask?
Or, a tot with my favorite club in Antigua, the Antigua and Barbuda Royal Tot Club. Mask less? Perhaps after a few stiff tots. Life used to be so simple.
A full house down below? Perish the thought of sharing both food and viral particles…
Even worse, how about Carnival? Nope, can’t even imagine. 
I read in the NY Times today that there is a tendency for those who have been vaccinated to have an irrational fear of infection. Presumably safe or not, they don’t want to even want to be around those who haven’t been vaccinated. I can relate to that, especially because of the variants that have cropped up and threaten to bypass the work of the current vaccines.
In the EU there is talk about a “vaccine passport” in order to be admitted into the country or to events that will be crowded. Imagine that in the “US of A, the land where “I can do what I want, when I want.” Not likely…
To make matters worse, worldwide, the vaccination process is probably years from completion and recently there have been a record number of infections identified every day. And with more infections there is a greater likelihood that the virus will mutate in a way that will make it more infectious and more deadly. Actually, that’s already happened and the “variants” are now the standard here in the US. Normally, over time, viruses are expected to become less dangerous but COVID-19 seems to be bucking that trend which does not bode well for getting things under control anytime soon.
So, back to my question of the vaccinated spending time with the not-vaccinated. I am a port officer for Essex for a number of sailing groups, including the Ocean Cruising Club and in an email exchange between other port officers over the weekend, the topic came up of what to do about this issue.
The universal reaction from those that commented was that they would ask about vaccination status and not invite anyone aboard who wasn’t up to date on their shots. Awkward? YOU BET!
“Permission to come aboard?” “Have you been vaccinated? Nope? Permission denied. Next…”
I’ll admit that I am firmly in the “permission denied” camp, partly out of fear but also because I have a problem with those who do not have what I expect of everyone and that is a “strong sense of community responsibility”
The politization of pandemic safety and COVID denial here in the US still annoys me and the idea that “refusenik” minority will somehow set policy for the majority, just pisses me off.
Don’t get me wrong, the idea of being in a situation where I have to ask the question of anyone that wants to visit about their vaccination status is not appealing, but I suppose that is what will have to be the norm for now.
One possible solution suggested by a fellow port officer was to fly a “V” or victor signal flag.
That’s a pretty appealing option but the actual meaning of the Victor flag is “I require assistance”, which is quite ironic, under the circumstances.
Another suggested a club flag “I’ve been vaccinated” as an option and a way for the club’s ships’ store to make some money.
So, want to board Pandora for a sundowner this summer? That would be great. No wait, have you been vaccinated?
Yes you say! Permission to board.
How about a rum punch while we enjoy the sunset together?
And in case you are wondering “what do you think about all this Bob?”. Well, that’s what I really think.
Good points!
Totally agree
Will be painting my boat. Kingston gray Alexseal
How were the minor paint repairs you planned for this season?
The yard I am at doesn’t have anyone that can paint, well at least with Alexseal and outside. My plan is to try and make the repairs myself and if that fails, have them re-done in Antigua next fall. I’ll also have to fix the logo on both sides as a few of the vinyl letters have been nicked by a visit to a too-narrow slip I was in down near annapolis last summer. I’ll surely be posting about how this goes. As a picky owner, I want to be sure that every nick and scrape is fixed and that is probably a goal that exceeds my budget.
Where to start. I grew up in Casco Bay at Handy’s, spent summers on Clapboard Isl with Browns, had the great pleasure to sail with Haletts Fowlers, Cronkites, Gagneys, Kennedys…..and was just casting the internet with “gunkholing Maine” in anticipation of another season im Maine and this site came into view. What can I say I’ve known of Pandora since I was a kid…..
To address the current post directly, Maritine Law has always been clear; it is incumbent on Captains to accept the responsibility of quarantine and the notification of such when entering ports. Even before boarding another vessel we each share the decencey to tell others of our travels and possible exposures. The oness is secondary to the obligation of the individule to be truthful.
Nat: I appreciate your thoughts on this. There will surely be blowback from some who take offence from my post. Interestingly, the SDSA recently approved requirements for upcoming events and rallies that will require one of three options. Proof of vaccination, proof of antibodies from prior infection or proof of PCR test, negative results, and quarantine. The last was really a nod to those that do not want to be vaccinated.
This is a troubling time and I hope that we reach some sort of herd immunity soon. However, with only 1.5% of the world vaccinated, that’s probably wishfull thinking with ample opportunity to spawn some lethal variants in the coming months/years.
So, how did you find my blog? And, tell me more about your background and the bit about “knowing Pandora since I was a kid…”
Bob