Is Florida full of boats?
Monday December 28, 2020
It certainly seems busy here at the Vero Beach City Marina. Admittedly, we didn’t stay here in December of 2012, so we can’t really make a comparison. Here is my thinking on the topic.
Each year in the fall significant numbers of boats make their way south from Canada, New England and other states that become too cold for comfort (however you might define that). Some boaters travel along the ICW, some chose to take shorter or longer hops on the “outside”. A very large number of boats travel to Florida with the intention of crossing the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas. We have met people who make this journey every year and other boaters who are hoping to cross for the first time.
But this year, in addition to the “standard” uncertainty around weather for the crossing, there is the uncertainty around entry requirements. The last time we looked at the web, to enter the Bahamas you needed to fill out forms to obtain a “health visa”. Then within five days of entering, you had to have a negative Covid-19 test. Once admitted, you would be required to re-test within 5 days. Not every island within the archipelago has testing capacity. Add to that the generally fluid situation around infection rates, mutant strains; it seems that the rules could change quickly at any time. Possibly you could be expected to leave at short notice (with unfavorable weather) or get stuck for an unknown length of time.
Thus, many boaters who have got this far south are planning on staying in Florida for the winter. So, yes, Florida is full of boats and boaters.
Gloria
27 39.482 N, 80 22.215 W
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