Let's sail again! The specifics of de-escalation in recreational boating

You will be able to sail during de-escalation! The General Director of the Merchant Navy, Benito Nuñez Quintanilla, explains in a press release on April 30, the de-escalation in recreational and sports boating at the request for a statement from the National Association of Nautical Companies

Given the different interpretations of various nautical associations on the de-escalation plan for recreational boating, today the Director General of the Merchant Navy has issued a response clarifying that it will be possible to sail again sooner , from phase 0, detailing the type of sailing allowed in each phase: 1, 2 and 3.

This week we announced that it would be possible to sail from phase 3, which will be June 9 as soon as possible , but after this clarification, recreational boaters will be able to return to sailing earlier, with certain limitations.

Phase 0. Individual sailing as physical activity

In phase 0 it will not be possible to navigate for leisure, unless it is done sportingly and individually (non-professional and federated sport), as a physical activity.

This will mean that you can sail in certain sailing boats as a sport, such as small dinghy boats: laser, optimist, small sailing boats, etc ... Those who carry out this activity must reside in the same municipality where the boat is located and sailing is also subject to geographical limitations.

Visits to the boats for checks and maintenance in phase 0

From this phase 0, it will also be possible for owners to visit their boats for safety and maintenance checks, provided that the boat is located in the same municipality where the owner resides.

Only one person may access the boat to carry out these activities and the procedures and protocols established by the marinas will be respected at all times.

Phase 1: Recreational sailing with geographical limitation is authorized

In phase I recreational sailing can be developed according to its consideration as active and nature tourism by limited groups (cultural and leisure activities).

The personal limitations envisaged for this phase must be respected and measures of disinfection and reinforcement of health and hygiene standards in the boats (which may also be considered tourist accommodation) must be adopted. These would be the measures to reduce the health risks of nautical activities, on which work has already been carried out by this sector.

Geographical limitations also apply to the waters of the province or island in which navigation is practiced.

Phase 2: Recreational sailing within the same province

In phase II, as in phase I, recreational and sports boating is admitted within its consideration as active and nature tourism activities for larger groups of people, without the limitation of residing in the same municipality, but granted it is in the same province.

The owners of boats that were moored in a municipal area other than their residence, but in the same province, could already make visits to carry out safety and maintenance checks. As in the previous phase, navigation will also have geographical limitations without being able to make trips to the waters of other provinces or islands.

Sailing practices in nautical schools in phase 2

In phase two, it will also be possible to carry out sailing practices to obtain recreational titles, which require the use of recreational boats, as a training activity.


It must be taken into account that due to the limitations of movements between provinces in this phase, the practices to be carried out must be in the same province. In Sailwiz, it is possible to consult the navigation practices of nautical degrees offered by nautical schools in more than 30 locations.

During this phase the courses to obtain the Navigation License may also be carried out.

Phase 3: Recreational sailing is allowed without restrictions.

In phase III, nautical recreational activities will already be authorized, with no limitations other than those that generally govern them, such as those of a geographical nature and the adoption of sanitary preventive measures.

From this moment on, it will be possible to sail again, attending to the security and disinfection needs that are generally established. From Sailwiz we want to encourage you to enjoy browsing, without neglecting all the necessary precautions regarding hygiene and social distancing.

You can sail in your own or rental boats

In this way, the General Directorate of the Merchant Navy considers that recreational or sports boating can be practiced during the different phases for the transition to the new normality, and this in both vessels or recreational vessels that have been subject to nautical leasing ( contracts that may be concluded normally from phase I) or by their own owners.