⚠️ Stay Clear of Heavy Fines – Our Database Is Ready for the Season
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:
- 10 new warning zones have been added, including Ajaccio and West Marseille
- 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:
- Check whether the yacht complies with the local decree or applicable anchoring regulations (depending on the yacht’s LOA)
- Establish VHF / telephone / e-mail contact with the nearest signal station if necessary to request permission or confirmation
- 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:
- Your navigation charts and ECDIS are fully up to date
- Your AIS is ON while navigating in French territorial waters
- Active watch is maintained on VHF channel 16, including at anchorage
- 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