In line with government guidelines for Public sports amenities, Dun Laoghaire Marina will provide full access to its berth holders in ten days time.
While the country's biggest marina - with over 500 berths - has been open, manned and fully functioning throughout the lockdown period, government guidelines meant berth holders could not access their boats.
The facility closed to berth holders on Friday 27 March as more measures restricting movement to slow the spread of Covid-19 were implemented.
However, the new roadmap set out by the government now means the summer season can get underway in Dun Laoghaire harbour, even in a limited way to start off with.
National bodies such as the Irish Marine Federation have also come out in support of May 18 as an opening of such facilities.
Dun Laoghaire Marina is asking that family-units only visit boats initially 'as boats do not readily allow physical distancing to be maintained', according to a notice to berth holders issued yesterday.
The Marina will keep toilets, changing rooms & laundry shut to avoid cross-contamination for the moment, subject to review. Pot-water hoses will be returned and reconnected in due course also. 'We want to ensure that all our berth holders, guests and staff can use the marina in a safe and responsible manner and that their health not be put at undue risk at any time', the notice says.
The fuel berth will reopen on May 18th and the marina asks that payments are made by card.
General Manager Paal Janson tells berth holders, 'We would reiterate that boating is a safe and responsible outdoor activity and there is now a clear pathway to getting back to normality. We would like you now to get full enjoyment from your boat and make 2020 a summer to remember, instead of a year to forget'.
