Maritime regulations

Everyone must be able to sail safely, so we all have a good time at sea.

So before you weigh anchor and set sail,take a look at the maritime regulations in force in the Bay of Antibes Juan-les-Pins.

Navigation on the approach to Port Vauban

When you arrive at the port:

Call VHF channel 9 and state the vessel name, its dimensions and how long you want to stay. When docking, we will ask you to fill out an arrival form and to provide a copy of your registration document and the vessel’s insurance documents.

Please consult the port map and respect the port’s rules:

  • The maximum speed in the access passage and the basins is 3 knots
  • No fires on the quays
  • Yachts with motors must travel under motor in the port
  • Do not carry out any work that may cause a nuisance (for example, motor tests)
  • Adjust the radio volume
  • Avoid discharging any pollution in the port
  • Swimming, sailing under sail and windsurfing are forbidden within the port as they are dangerous
  • Monuments: the tower in the old town and the Fort Carré (visible from 24 km)
  • Arrivals at night: breakwater (43 ° 35’4 N-007 ° 08’E) Fl.R.4s15m11m
  • Access: via a canal 50 metres wide, difficult in an east wind day and night access possible in all weathers
  • Entry lights: Under the fort Fl.G.4s vos. 003 – 048 (45) and 186 – 218 (32)
  • Port lights for the superyacht basin: entry canal marked by sector lights, breakwater and starboard green buoy Fl (2) G.6s
  • Prevailing wind: East
  • Geographical location: 43° 35′ North – 07° 08′ East
  • Yacht safety equipment Download >

Strengthening the regulation of anchoring in the Mediterranean

Over the last twenty years, the anchoring of ships in the Mediterranean has been progressively regulated and subjected to increasing restrictions, which consist in subjecting the anchoring of ships to prior authorisation or declaration, as well as in regulating the areas in which ships may or may not anchor.

Until now, restrictions on anchoring have mainly concerned large vessels. Thus, since June 2016, the anchoring of pleasure boats (yachts) of a length of 80 metres or more as well as all other vessels of more than 45 metres or with a gross tonnage of more than 300 is subject to authorisation from the CROSS MED and pleasure boats (yachts) of between 45 metres and 80 metres are obliged to declare their intention to anchor beforehand. A limit along the coastline has been defined, below which vessels over 24 metres cannot anchor, as well as preferential areas for anchoring vessels between 24 and 79 metres and mandatory areas for anchoring vessels over 80 metres.

For smaller vessels, zones (known as ZMEL) have recently been equipped or are being equipped so that vessels can anchor in fixed anchorages that are more respectful of the coastline.

A new regulatory milestone has been reached with the decree of 16 June 2022 (prefectoral decree n°177/2022 regulating the duration of anchoring by vessels in the French inland and territorial waters of the Mediterranean), which applies to all vessels, regardless of their flag, sailing in the Mediterranean coastal maritime zone. This text sets out the general principle of limiting the duration of anchoring.

The situation is different depending on whether or not the vessel is subject to an anchoring permit:

For pleasure craft (yachts) of a length of 80 metres or more and all other vessels of more than 45 metres or with a gross tonnage of more than 300, initial authorisation to anchor will henceforth only be granted for a maximum of 24 hours, which may be renewed on request for reasons relating to maritime safety, health conditions, commercial and technical operations (including yachting) up to a maximum of 72 hours.

For other vessels, anchoring is now limited to 72 hours. This period may be extended by 72-hour periods, under the responsibility of the ship’s captain, for the same reasons.

This limitation on the duration of anchoring does not concern the managed anchorage areas (MELA).

 

Vessels over 80 metres: authorisation to be requested from CROSS MED, VHF channel 16 or by telephone on 04 94 61 16 16

Vessels between 45 and 79 metres other than pleasure craft: authorisation to be requested from the semaphore in the area, VHF channel 16 and by telephone

French navy control/Signal station  – La Garoupe 04 93 61 32 77
French navy control/Signal station  – Saint Jean Cap Ferrat 04 93 76 04 06
French navy control/Signal station – Caramat 04 94 79 80 28

Pleasure craft of less than 80 metres and all vessels of less than 45 metres: in the event of anchoring for more than 72 hours, authorisation must be requested from the semaphore in the area.

Read the official statement (in french) 

Sanitation certificate and ship sanitation declaration

Prefectural decrees

The Environment

Fishing camps and reserves in the Alpes-Maritimes

In order to preserve the marine biodiversity of the shallows of the department, professional fishermen and communities have created prohibited underwater reserves.
for all types of professional and leisure fishing. Their goal is to provide local marine wildlife with a network of protected areas along our coastline.

Consult the maps and regulations of these areas on this document.

Useful websites and contacts