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Posidonia - sometimes referred to as the lung of the ocean - plays a vital role in the production of oxygen and purification of our ocean. Unfortunately, Posidonia is incredibly fragile and anchoring in the Posidonia seabed can cause significant destruction which could take up to one thousand years to restore.


The maritime authorities recognise the positive economic impact of the yachting industry on the Mediterranean coasts, as well as the efforts of yachting professionals to protect the environment. They will, therefore, encourage the creation of organised buoy fields and moorings with public as well as private funding. These facilities will be under the responsibility of land-based authorities and local communities. 


Key facts

  • Anchorage regulations are applicable to yachts over 24m (78ft);

  • Infringement of the new regulations could result in fines of up to €150,000 and also possible banishment of the vessel from French waters. The Captain is ultimately responsible;

  • All restricted zones are clearly indicated within the maps (below), which are a part of the new decrees issued by the Maritime Prefecture;

  • The maritime authorities are attempting to speed up the update of the new charts published by SHOM;

  • It is also understood that messages regarding the anchoring rules will be broadcast through CROSSMED, in both French and in English;

  • All restricted areas will be displayed on the Donia app;

  • In case of adverse weather, the authorities have confirmed that safety and security will take precedence. Vessels that may take shelter in forbidden zones (Posidonia meadows) but may be required to provide justification for their decision;

  • The authorities have indicated that, in future regulation, they will adopt a limitation of mooring time to 72 hours. This will not apply to yachts in routine operation, with crew on board, but rather to vessels left without supervision and presenting a risk of stranding. To enable this management of mooring times, the Maritime Prefecture has agreed to establish a list of yachts (24-45m) benefiting from an implicit renewal every 72 hours, for the whole season.


Infringement Unlike the Spanish or Italian authorities, France elected to sanction the position of the vessel itself. This can lead to serious consequences as yachts in breach of these regulations can be fined up to 150,000€ and receive a possible ban from French waters, whereas the environmental infraction is ''only" a hundred euros. In addition, several of the means to be used to establish potential offenses, such as human observation from aircraft, boats or land-based platforms can lead to arbitrary decisions.


Read our news article on the infringement of these regulations during the summer season of 2021.

Read our news article on how to avoid infringement.


Latest news


May 2024 update: release of the latest regulation applicable to vessels longer than 45 meters, wishing to anchor or stop in the French Mediterranean. As indicated by the maritime authorities, "this new regulation does not provide major changes but a few modifications on some anchoring zones".


  • To make absolutely sure that you will be anchoring in the right area, we strongly encourage captains to speak to the relevant sémaphore (radio station) on Channel 16 or better still - on the phone - asking them to confirm that you are in the right area. All sémaphore's conversations are recorded and, just in case, it could be relevant for the captain to record the conversation as well.

  • A list of all semaphores, with their area coverage, telephone numbers and email addresses are provided on Annex 1, page 9 of the regulation.

  • The following information is also provided in this regulation:

    • Annex II and III (pages 10, 11): Information to provide to the sémaphore when seeking anchoring or Dynamic Positioning authorisation.

    • Annex IV (pages 12-13): List of regulations (Arrêtés) relevant to anchoring for vessels of >24 meters.

    • Annex V: (pages 14-47): list of mandatory anchoring areas (with charts).


Anchorage maps 

To view the maps released by the maritime prefecture, click below.


  • Decree 159/2016: Côte Bleue Marine, Martigue, Sausset-les-Pins, Carry-le-Rouet

  • Decree 204/2020: Cap Ferrat, Cap Martin

  • Decree 205/2020: Pointe de l’Aiguille, Embouchure fleuve Var, Golfe de la Napoule, Golfe Juan

  • Decree 245/2020: Point Fauconnière, Cap Cépet, Baie de Bandol

  • Decree 246/2020: Cap Carqueiranne, Cap Bénat, Golfe de Giens, La Badine

  • Decree 247/2020: Cap Bénat, Pointe de Bonne-Terrasse, Baise de Briande, Baie de Bon-Porté

  • Decree 248/2020: Cap Pinet, Pointe de Saint-Aygulf, Saint Tropez, Plage des Cigales, Plage de la Nartelle, Plage de la Gaillarde

  • Decree 249/2020: Saint-Raphaël, Pointe de l’Aiguille

  • Decree 020/2021: Hérault, Cap d’Agde, Frontignan, Palavas-les-Flots

  • Decree 095/2021: Haute-Corse, Plage de Saleccia, Plage du Loto, Centuri, Barcaggio, Erbalunga

  • Decree 099/2021: Baie de la Ciotat, Baie de Cassis, Baie de Lecques

  • Decree 101/2021: Baie de Cassis, Plage de Bestouan, Plage de la Grande Mer, Cal. De Port Miou

  • Decree 197/2022: Port d'Argelès-sur-Mer, Cap Béar, Cap d'Osne, Port de Banyuls, Cap l'Abeille, Cap Cerbère (Cervera), Port-Vendres, Collioure

  • Decree 319/2022: Est-Corse, Port de Bastia, Sud Bastia, Lucciana-Venzolasca, Golfe de Porto-Vecchio

  • Decree 168/2023: Western Corsica

  • Decree 189/2023: Bay of Calvi

  • Decree 087/2024: Bay of Pampelonne

  • Decree 156/2024: Réserve naturelle des Bouches de Bonifacio, Les Moines – Ventilègne, Bonifacio-Pertusato, Sant’Amanza-Lavezzi, Porto-Vecchio – Santa Giulia, Baie de Figari, Golfe de Ventilegne, Secteur de la Madonetta, Secteur de l’Escalier du roi d’Aragon, Île Piana, Punta de Sperone, Îles Lavezzi, Cala di Grecu, Golfe de Sant’Amanza

  • Decree 157/2024: Modifications on some anchoring zones

 


Nav & Co app

In addition to your normal means of navigations to seek anchorage areas, do use the cellphone application "Nav & Co" (download link below). This is the official application produced by the French maritime authorities and it is constantly updated with new regulations as they are adopted.




Additional resources


Last update: 12/06/2024



French Anchorage Regulations

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