NMMA Monitors CISA Guidelines Regarding Essential Workers and Marine Industry
Across the nation, forty-three states have issued state or countywide mandates ordering residents to stay home and non-essential businesses to close in-person operations in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Many of these states have been referencing the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency’s (CISA) guidelines on essential versus non-essential businesses.
On Saturday, March 28, the CISA released updated guidance to aid state and local officials in the decision-making process. The intention of these guideless is to identify and manage essential workforce designations while states and local jurisdictions develop responses to the COVID-19 pandemic.
As states implements stay at home and non-essential business closure orders or directives, the respective government officials are providing a detailed list of businesses included as essential. NMMA is closely monitoring each executive order or directive to determine if marine manufacturing, marinas, or boat supply and repair is considered essential – you can read more about each state here.
Many states have adopted CISA guidelines in their list of essential businesses but have not explicitly included marinas or marine service and repair as essential. This has led to confusion and different interpretations amongst state government officials.
In response to the updated guidelines and various interpretations, the recreational boating industry is sending a letter to CISA and applicable Governors requesting “marinas and marine service and repair” to be included as essential businesses. The coalition is making the request to be considered as an essential business for the following reasons:
- Law enforcement access: Many marinas and boat dealers store, service and repair law enforcement boats from the local to federal level as well as provide slips and critical access to the water for law enforcement during times of emergency. In addition, towing and salvage services are important to maintaining safe and navigable waterways.
- Public safety: If marina employees cannot consistently monitor the property, boats either in the water or stored on site present a significant danger to the facility and neighboring properties, businesses and residences.
- Liveaboard residents: Families live aboard their vessels either in marinas or on mooring balls affiliated with a marina.
- Gasoline availability: Just as fuel for automobiles is essential, so too is access to fuel for those who launch their boats at ramps or have them moored behind their homes.
- Safe activity for families: boating, when done with those from the safe household, while maintaining social distance practices is a good outdoor recreation activity.
If you have questions or would like additional information, please contact NMMA vice president of state government relations, David Dickerson at [email protected], NMMA director of state government relations, Libby Yranski at [email protected], NMMA policy and engagement manager for the Great Lakes region, Jill Sims at [email protected], or NMMA policy and engagement manager for the Southeast, Lee Gatts at [email protected].