A new regulatory milestone has been reached with the decree of 16 June 2022 (prefectoral decree n°177/2022) regulating the duration of anchoring of 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 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).