Weekly Maritime Regulatory Digest

The activation of the Nisides Karavia firing practice area in the Myrtoo Sea has been further extended, this time for Italian Navy live firing operations. Vessels planning to transit or anchor in the Myrtoo Sea must confirm the current active time windows and zone boundaries with the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service before departure — this area has now seen multiple consecutive extensions.

A marine survey is being conducted in the Saronikos Gulf and the Elefsina Gulf. Vessels navigating or anchoring in these areas should be aware of survey vessel activity and maintain safe distances from any deployed equipment.

Measurement and sampling operations covering seawater parameters, plankton, and sediment are being conducted across a broad area including the Saronikos Gulf, Evvoikos Gulf, Pagasitikos Gulf, and the northwest Aegean Sea. Vessels operating in any of these areas should be aware of research vessel activity and equipment deployments throughout the survey period.

A navigation light on Kalymnos Island in the southeastern Aegean Sea has been reported unlit. Vessels navigating in the Dodecanese and planning approaches to Kalymnos should update chart annotations and exercise caution on night passages until the light is confirmed restored.

The Nisides Karavia firing practice area in the Myrtoo Sea was extended earlier this week for French Air Force live firing operations. Vessels that had noted the earlier activation should be aware this is a further extension and that the area remains active — confirm current boundaries and times with the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service.

The operating schedule or conditions of the floating swing bridge in the Lefkada Channel have been amended again this week. Vessels intending to transit the Lefkada Channel should review this notice for the latest opening times or procedures before approaching the bridge.

Sector A of the 'Kriti' firing practice area in the North Cretan Sea has been activated. Vessels transiting north of Crete should confirm the active time windows and restricted zone boundaries with the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service before planning passage through this area.

Temporary lightbuoys have been established in the approaches to Stylida Port in the Maliakos Gulf. Vessels navigating in this area should update their chart records and be aware of the new buoyage marks when approaching the port.

Research operations are being conducted in Marathokampos Bay on the southwest coast of Samos Island. Vessels planning to anchor or navigate in Marathokampos Bay should be aware of research vessel activity and any deployed equipment in the area.

A navigation light on the western coast of the South Evvoikos Gulf has been reported unlit. Vessels navigating in the South Evvoikos Gulf should update chart annotations and exercise heightened caution on night passages along the western shore until the light is confirmed restored.

Navigation, anchoring, bathing, and diving restrictions have been established in the waters off Hyères in the Var department for the duration of the French Olympic Sailing Week from 18 to 25 April 2026. Vessels and superyacht tenders operating in the Hyères roadstead during this period should review the order for the precise restricted zones and maintain clear of racing traffic and course markings.

Prefectural order 61/2026 of 22 March 2026, which established navigation, anchoring, diving, and bathing restrictions around a commercial vessel, has been formally revoked. Operators who had previously noted these restrictions should update their records accordingly.

Navigation, anchoring, bathing, and diving restrictions have been established off the commune of Grosseto-Prugna on the south Corsica coast for the swimming stage of the Triathlon L de Porticcio event on 16 May 2026. Vessels and tenders operating in this stretch of the Porticcio coastline on that date should review the order for the restricted zone boundaries and maintain clear of the event area.

Navigation, anchoring, and diving restrictions have been established in the coastal waters off Ramatuelle in the Var for film production of the series 'The Secret Garden', covering 15–17 April, 20–21 April, and 5–7 May 2026. Vessels and tenders operating along the Ramatuelle coastline on these dates should review the order for the precise restricted zones and timings.

A drifting fishing competition has been authorised in the waters off Imperia on the Ligurian Riviera. Navigation and bathing restrictions apply within the designated competition area — vessels navigating along this stretch of coast should maintain clear of competition participants and any marker buoys for the duration of the event.

The authorisation for positioning a pipeline on the seabed off Finale Ligure at the Caprazoppa locality has been extended. Vessels navigating or anchoring in the waters off Caprazoppa should be aware of ongoing works and maintain clear of the designated works area until the operation is complete.

Works to position cellular caissons for breakwater construction have been authorised in the port area of Porto Torres on the northwest coast of Sardinia. Vessels calling at or navigating in the approaches to Porto Torres should be aware of restricted water areas associated with the works and confirm current access conditions with the harbour master's office before manoeuvring.

A sailing event organised by the Lega Navale Italiana delegation for the Sinis area has been authorised in the Gulf of Oristano on the west coast of Sardinia. Navigation and bathing restrictions apply within the designated race area — vessels navigating or anchoring in the Gulf of Oristano on the event date should allow clear sea room for racing activity.

A water area exclusion has been authorised to allow the recovery and controlled detonation of a wartime ordnance item in the coastal waters off Loano-Albenga on the Ligurian coast. Navigation, bathing, diving, fishing, and port access restrictions apply within the exclusion zone — vessels in the area should maintain well clear and confirm the timing and zone boundaries with the Loano-Albenga maritime office before approaching.

Bathymetric and topographic survey works are being conducted within the port of Termoli on the Adriatic coast of Molise. Vessels calling at or manoeuvring in Termoli port should be aware of survey operations and confirm current access conditions with the harbour master's office before approaching.

Works to excavate and deepen the seabed at the Port of Ortona on the Abruzzo Adriatic coast are continuing, with this ordinance integrating an additional works vessel into the authorisation. Vessels calling at Ortona should confirm current access conditions and any restricted areas with the harbour master's office before approaching the port.

Three separate sailing regatta authorisations have been issued by the Trieste harbour master's office for events in Sistiana Bay and the Gulf of Trieste, covering race fields II, III, VI, XIV, and XIII/XIV/XV under the Sistiana 89 series. Vessels navigating or anchoring in the Gulf of Trieste and off Sistiana Bay on event dates should allow adequate sea room for racing activity and confirm individual event schedules with the Trieste harbour master's office.

Transport Malta has published a further notice relating to the Gunex 01-2026 live firing exercise at sea, dated 16 April 2026. Vessels operating in Maltese coastal waters should review this notice for any updated zone boundaries or timing information associated with this exercise.

The United Kingdom Maritime and Coastguard Agency has published Marine Guidance Notice 717 covering amendments to mandatory international instruments relating to air quality — including requirements under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL Annex VI) on sulphur emissions and related controls. Vessel managers and designated persons ashore should review this notice for any compliance implications applicable to their fleet and trading areas.

The United Kingdom Maritime and Coastguard Agency has published Amendment 1 to Marine Guidance Notice 544, updating guidance on the plans, procedures, and acceptance criteria for equipment used to recover persons from the water — a directly relevant safety requirement for superyacht operators. Amendment 1 removes the earlier MGN 544 and adds a clearer performance and acceptance standard: surveyor-requested demonstrations may require recovery of a 100 kg bulk weight or manikin from the water in a safe and controlled manner, 5-yearly recovery testing is introduced, and guidance is provided on alternative unpowered recovery where primary arrangements rely solely on shipboard power. Masters, officers, and safety management system holders should review both the main notice and Annex 1 and assess their vessel's current arrangements against the updated standard.