Tri-state area governors announce plan to allow boatyards, marinas to open for personal use

The governors of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut said Saturday they're working together to allow marinas, boatyards and marine manufacturers to open to cater to personal use in each of the three states.

News 12 Staff

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Apr 20, 2020, 2:04 PM

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Updated 1,696 days ago

The governors of New York, New Jersey and Connecticut said Saturday they're working together to allow marinas, boatyards and marine manufacturers to open to cater to personal use in each of the three states.

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The big announcement was made over the weekend not just by Gov. Phil Murphy, but together with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont. Marinas, boatyards and marine manufacturers in all three states will be allowed to open for personal use “as long as strict social distancing and sanitization protocols are followed.”

"We've committed to working with our regional partners throughout this crisis to align our policies when and where appropriate," says Gov. Murphy. "A unified approach is the most effective way to alleviate confusion for the residents of our states during the ongoing public health emergency."

The statement says chartered watercraft services or rentals will not be allowed, and restaurant activity at the sites must be limited to takeout or delivery only, under restrictions already in place in the three states.

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“We are hoping this thing breaks in the second week of May, but if it goes through into summer, where we lose Memorial Day, that’s a major head for us especially, down here,” says Tom Palmisano, with Fisherman’s Den Bait & Tackle.

The National Marine Manufacturers Association says recreational boating in New Jersey is a $6.6 billion yearly business, ranking seventh in the U.S. New York ranks third at $8.8 billion.

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