In recent years, several captains have faced staggering fines from the Marseille Maritime Court, sometimes reaching up to €200,000 per incident, for anchoring in restricted Posidonia zones. Controls by the French maritime authorities continue to increase, making it more important than ever to stay alert and fully compliant.

At FLYN YACHTING, our team constantly monitors new decrees, regulations, and local updates to ensure captains have access to the most reliable information available.

We maintain a database of coastal areas where vessels over 20 or 24 metres LOA are prohibited from anchoring, in order to prevent damage caused by anchors and chains to Posidonia seagrass beds.

Alongside these prohibited areas, there are also designated anchorage zones and mandatory anchorage zones. Each year, new zones may be created, while others may be removed or replaced by buoy anchorage zones.

As explained below, our PREMIUM clients receive real-time alerts if their yacht enters a restricted or controlled zone. We refer to these areas as “warning zones.”

For the 2026 season, we have carried out a major update of our warning zones database:

1. 10 new warning zones have been added, including Ajaccio and West Marseille
2. 3 warning zones have been removed, particularly in the Pampelonne / Ramatuelle area, following updated local information

Thanks to these continuous updates, our systems are fully ready for the upcoming season.

🔔 Real-Time Anchor Alert for PREMIUM Clients

Our real-time anchor alert service remains available for all PREMIUM clients, helping captains avoid risky anchoring situations.

Whenever your yacht remains stationary for more than 30 minutes in a regulated or prohibited anchoring zone in French waters, the captain will receive an automatic alert with specific information.

This allows the crew to:

1. Check whether the yacht complies with the local decree or applicable anchoring regulations (depending on the yacht’s LOA)
2. Establish VHF / telephone / e-mail contact with the nearest signal station if necessary to request permission or confirmation
3. Promptly relocate the yacht if the anchoring position is not compliant

⚠️ The subject line of the first alert email will be:
« Initial Warning – Anchorage Prohibited Zone for: YACHT’S NAME »

Any further reminders will be sent with the subject:
« Warning Reminder – Anchorage Prohibited Zone for: YACHT’S NAME »

In addition, please ensure that:

1. Your navigation charts and ECDIS are fully up to date
2. Your AIS is ON while navigating in French territorial waters
3. Active watch is maintained on VHF channel 16, including at anchorage
4. Never hesitate to contact the closest French Navy signal station (“sémaphore”)

We strongly recommend recording your GPS position at the highest possible frequency during any commercial cruise. Your logbook should be carefully completed, including anchoring conditions (chain length, weather conditions, and their evolution).

When weighing anchor, taking a dated and geo-referenced video can also help demonstrate that the anchor was not laid in Posidonia seagrass. These elements can prove decisive in proceedings before the Maritime Court, whether criminal or civil.

Thanks to its expertise in legal navigation, and in the event of an inspection by maritime authorities during anchoring, FLYN YACHTING can assist you in assessing the situation and defending your interests.

Stay compliant. Stay protected.

For more information about this feature or any of our PREMIUM services, feel free to reach out to our team at info@flyn-yachting.com

1. CERTIFICATE OF PRESENCE IN A NON-EU TERRITORY:
   confirming the yacht has exited EU waters and touched a non-EU country.
2. CERTIFICATE OF ENTRY INTO THE CUSTOMS TERRITORY OF THE EU : confirming the yacht’s re-entry into EU territorial waters, renewing the 18 months period.

• Territorial waters boundaries
• Entry and exit points
• A complete list of relevant coordinates (Longitude, Latitude, Date-Time)

Following the Customs & Tax meeting held yesterday in Antibes, which we attended, we would like to remind you of the regulations regarding the mixed commercial use of fuel.

As you may know, the taxation of fuel products varies depending on the commercial use of the yacht, whether it operates under a charter agreement or a transport agreement. Commercial yachts are authorised to combine both statuses within the same year under the “mixed commercial use of yacht” regime, subject to specific conditions.

⚠️ Important reminder:

• When mixed fuel use is planned during the year, a prior declaration must be submitted to the Customs authorities.

• At the end of the year, the official mixed fuel summary table must be duly completed and declared.

To ensure full compliance and simplify this process, FLYN-YACHTING can assist you by reconstructing and preparing a complete fuel logbook in cases of mixed commercial use.

Based on the documents and information you provide (fuel invoices, cruise details, etc.), we will:

• Reconstruct all commercial and non-commercial cruises by date, including distances covered

• Compile and analyse all fuel supply invoices, including volumes, total amounts, and tax / tax-free status

• Calculate standard fuel consumption and reconcile it with actual usage

• Prepare the annual mixed fuel summary table required by the authorities

This structured and documented approach allows you to anticipate Customs inspections and secure your fuel tax position.

Contact us at noemie@flyn-yachting.com should you require further information or assistance.

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Some French Islands are part of the Union customs territory such as Martinique and Guadeloupe where specific tax exemption regarding charter starting from these destinations are applicable depending on the size, weight, and the itinerary of the yacht. For Saint-Martin and French Guiana no local VAT is applicable.

The other French Overseas Territories are excluded from the EU regulations, there will be no liability incurred by the vessel from cruising and chartering in these areas.

Regarding the 70% rule, the notion of French territorial waters covers also the French waters located overseas. Therefore, a trip made in the FOT waters will not be considered as an international trip.

Click here to read/download the full article: French Overseas Territories regulations.

We hope you’ll enjoy your end-of-winter season there!

For more information, VAT rate and regime applicable do not hesitate to contact FLYN-YACHTING at noemie@flyn-yachting.com

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