COVID-19 and the Berthon Sales Group

The Berthon Sales Group remains open, working within the market place and observing COVID-19 best practices for the safety of our clients and our staff. In some cases, we are working remotely but we are all here and look forward to hearing from you during this difficult time – in all five international offices.

As an international brokerage sales group, offering a truly local and personal service in all our locations, below is a short description of the restrictions in operation in each of our offices. We will be updating this information regularly.

In locations where yacht viewings are permitted – these are carried out following these protocols –

• The 2-metre distancing rule will be observed throughout your inspection.
• We will provide gloves and a facemask and you and your party will be asked to wear these and not to touch faces during inspection.
• A party must be a group of people who live in the same household and we will need to know how many of you will be coming to see us in advance of your visit.
• Before your arrival the yacht will have been opened and the hatches opened also to allow a free flow of air throughout the yacht. The lights if applicable will be turned on. The yacht will have been isolated for 72 hours prior to your arrival and she will be opened by us whilst wearing PPE.
• We will describe the yacht to you on deck and below and we will remain on deck during your inspection to observe social distancing rules.
• If you would like us to open up engine spaces and so forth, we would ask that you leave the yacht. We will open up, leave the yacht and then you can go below to inspect.
• After your inspection, the yacht will be left open for as long as possible to clear any airborne residue. She will not be boarded by anyone else for a period of 72 hours after your inspection.

Your Local Broker, Internationally

Berthon UK (Last Updated 22-01-2021)

The UK remains in national lockdown which we anticipate will last until at least mid-February. As well as all non-essential shops and hospitality, this lockdown has also closed all our schools and everyone is working from home wherever possible. We are unable to show yachts in person or welcome visitors to our offices and our brokerage team are working remotely. We of course remain on hand for FaceTime viewings and to support and chat to our clients via phone, email, WhatsApp, Skype, and so on. We remain open for business and always welcome the opportunity to chat about yachts.

Berthon France (Last Updated 15-01-2021)

As of 16th January, all of France will have to respect a curfew from 18:00 to 06:00. French boarders have been reinforced; it is now mandatory for those travelling from outside the EU to take a Covid19 test. They will have to test negative before being allowed entry and will then be requested to quarantine for 7 days.

We are still able to welcome visitors to our office and continue to show yachts with social distancing (limited numbers of people on-board, wearing mask etc.).

Berthon Scandinavia (Last Updated 13-01-2021)

Restrictions in Scandinavia were tightened on 10th January and we are now seeing closures of shopping and recreation centres. We are restricted to meetings of up to 8 people only. There are also new travel restrictions in place for certain countries. The government’s ‘Resklar’ app is a good source of information for Swedish people considering travel outside of Sweden.

We have been advised to work from home and Berthon Scandinavia is operating with only one member of staff in the office. We are able to offer viewings to clients who feel well and who have not experienced recent Covid symptoms. Yacht viewings are carried out following strict protocols; we keep our distance, do not accompany clients below decks, ask all to wear face masks and we do not shake hands.

For those clients unable to visit us, we are delighted to carry out video-based viewings and are always happy to speak on the phone.

Berthon Spain (Last Updated 22-01-2021)

Mallorca remains under Level 4 COVID-19 restrictions with a curfew in place between 22:00 – 06:00. The interiors of restaurants and bars are closed but outside terraces can stay open until 18:00. Gatherings of no more than 6 are permitted in homes or public places. Due to the new strain of the virus in the UK, non-Spanish residents are currently not permitted to fly to Spain until further notice.

Our offices continue to work with COVID-19 best practice, keeping safe distances, wearing masks and working behind Perspex screens. Free travel for clients remains our biggest issue for yacht sales. However yacht tours via video, Zoom, FaceTime etc are increasingly popular and we are delighted to offer this to clients who are unable to visit. We can also organise surveys and third party inspections.

Berthon USA (Last Updated 22-01-2021)

International travellers to the US are now being asked for Covid tests and also to quarantine for 7 days upon arrival. There has unfortunately been a significant rise in Covid cases in Rhode Island. As a result, we are currently unable to travel for yacht viewings and can only show yachts locally, using appropriate Covid protocols of course. The team are working from the office but we ask that you call ahead to confirm appointments in order to avoid disappointment. For those of you unable to visit, we are happy to conduct virtual viewings aboard our locally based yachts.

A word from the Berthon Boat Company (Click Here)

With fair winds from the whole Berthon Team – who are keeping calm and carrying on! Please stay safe and well.