Monterey County releases guidance for charter boats
MONTEREY COUNTY, Calif. (KION) The Monterey County Health Department has released requirements for charter boats, which are allowed to open effective Friday.
The county said the boats have low-contact intensity and a moderate number of contacts between the crew, captain and passengers mainly outdoors, so they may carry a lower risk of COVID-19 transmission than most indoor businesses.
Before reopening, operators are required to prepare, post, implement and distribute social distancing protocols to employees and comply with guidance for outdoor activities issued by the state.
Charter boats can operate and take out passengers if they meet the following conditions as well:
- Limit the number of people aboard so they can stay 6 feet apart.
- Display rules and changes for passengers that are required to enter. They should include hand sanitizer use, wearing face coverings, maintaining social distance and avoiding touching surfaces unnecessarily.
- Space fishing rod holders at least 6 feet apart.
- Prohibit sharing equipment and other items.
- Do not shake hands, share food or drinks or have any physical contact.
- Wash the boat and equipment after each trip.
- Clean and sanitize bathrooms after each use.
- Make hand sanitizer available throughout the boat.
- Do not board until the captain or crew allows it.
- Offer contactless methods of payment, registration and signature of waivers.
- Allow hand-held lunch coolers only.
- Screen guests and visitors for symptoms when they arrive.
- Require crew, captain and passengers to wear face coverings at all times.
- Clean rails, counters and seating areas as frequently as necessary.
- Allow passengers to disembark one at a time.
Passengers who live in the same household do not have to maintain social distancing.
