Some Clarity on the Volunteers Visiting the Ship during this COVID-19 outbreak.

If you sense that you've been getting mixed messages over the past week on the volunteer situation, I'll take the blame.  

I'm clarifying by posting below, appropriate excerpts from emails passed from Capt Cleveland and myself, which summarize the current situation regarding volunteers visiting the ship.

Bryan wrote: "Earlier this week, His Excellency, Gov McMaster, invoked a statute statewide limiting gatherings to no more than 3 people. However, he added a large caveat, giving local law enforcement broad flexibility as to enforcing the statute. 

On March 25, Hizonor Mayor Tecklenburg decreed that people of Charleston should stay at home unless they are going to specific destinations, and he listed five,, The Spirit of South Carolina not being one of them."

Captain Cleveland wrote: "The vessel is not deemed an essential business and therefore anyone attempting to go to it may see resistance from the police.  They have been given a loose range of decision making power.  I spoke with an officer at the grocery today to get more details and he basically said you’ll get a warning to go home if they don’t like the reason you’re out for.  Then a citation will come.  

I would ask until Bryan and I get a chance to choose a responsible decision that keeps the live-aboard crew and all our volunteers safe, but productivity on the vessel going, that you please not come down to the ship.

Again myself, the crew, and most of all our fine vessel appreciate everyone’s participation greatly." 

So, this means; Until further notice; Please do not come down to visit the ship without express clearance from Captain Cleveland or Chief Mate Charlie.   Ship's officers are formulating a policy that will hopefully allow for some productivity while keeping with the spirit of our local and state directives, and considerations for health of the crew on  board.