Weekly Maritime Regulatory Digest

The Nisides Karavia live firing practice area in the Myrtoo Sea has been activated this week. Vessels planning to transit or anchor in the Myrtoo Sea should confirm the current active time window and zone boundaries with the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service before departure.

The navigation light at Keramoti Point in the Thrakiko Sea has been reported unlit. Vessels navigating in the northern Aegean approaches near the Kavala Gulf should update chart annotations and exercise caution on night approaches until the light is confirmed restored.

Submarine exercises are being conducted in the Saronikos Gulf and the adjacent Megara Gulf. Vessels navigating or anchoring in these areas — including approaches to Piraeus and the Saronic Islands — should be aware of submerged activity and confirm exercise zones and duration with the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service before operating in the vicinity.

Navigation Warning 1572/2023 has been formally cancelled by the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service. Vessels that had noted restrictions associated with that notice may now treat the area as clear — confirm with the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service if any uncertainty remains.

Subsea operations are being carried out in the South Aegean Sea in the area between Astipalaia Island and Amorgos Island. Vessels navigating or anchoring in the vicinity should maintain clear of the operations area and confirm precise location, extent, and duration with the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service before approaching.

The navigation light at Moni Esfigmenou in the Strymonikos Gulf, North Aegean Sea, has been reported unlit. Vessels navigating in the Strymonikos Gulf and approaches to the Athos Peninsula should update chart annotations and exercise caution at night until the light is confirmed restored.

The navigation light on the outer mole head of Irakleous Harbour in Keratsini Bay, Saronikos Gulf, has been reported unlit. Vessels navigating the Saronikos Gulf and approaching the Keratsini area west of Piraeus should note this defect and exercise caution on night approaches.

A navigation light on Kea Island in the South Aegean Sea has been reported unlit. Vessels navigating the western Cyclades and approaching Kea should update chart annotations and exercise caution on night approaches until the light is confirmed restored.

The Mpali navigation light on the north coast of Crete has been reported unlit. Vessels approaching or navigating along the north Cretan coast should update chart annotations and exercise heightened caution on night approaches until the light is confirmed restored.

The activation of the Plateia firing practice area in the Saronikos Gulf has been extended this week. Vessels navigating or anchoring in the Saronikos Gulf should confirm the current active time window and zone boundaries with the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service before operating in the vicinity.

A comprehensive prohibition covering navigation, anchoring, diving, bathing, and all forms of fishing has been established in the waters east of Porquerolles Island off the Var coast. Vessels approaching the Îles d'Hyères from the east or planning to anchor in this area must review the order for the precise restricted zone and duration before approaching.

Order 285/2025, which had restricted navigation, anchoring, diving, and fishing in the waters off Fleury and Vendres on the Languedoc coast during geophysical survey work for the future offshore wind farm connection route (Appel d'Offre 10), has been formally revoked. Vessels that had noted this restriction may now treat the area as clear.

A new permanent anchoring prohibition zone has been established in Calvi Bay on the northwest coast of Corsica. Vessels intending to anchor in Calvi Bay must review the order for the precise prohibited zone boundaries before anchoring — this is a standing restriction, not a temporary event order.

New regulations governing navigation, anchoring, diving, and high-speed water sports within the 300-metre coastal strip off the commune of Sérignan on the Languedoc coast have been established. Vessels and tenders operating close inshore along this stretch of coastline should review the order for the full conditions applicable to their operations.

New regulations governing navigation, anchoring, diving, and high-speed water sports within the 300-metre coastal strip off Cagnes-sur-Mer on the Côte d'Azur have been established. Vessels and tenders operating close inshore between Nice and Antibes should review the order for the full conditions applicable to their operations in this area.

New regulations governing navigation, anchoring, diving, and high-speed water sports within the 300-metre coastal strip off Canet-en-Roussillon on the Roussillon coast near Perpignan have been established. Vessels and tenders operating close inshore in this area should review the order for the full conditions applicable to their operations.

New regulations governing navigation, anchoring, diving, and high-speed water sports within the 300-metre coastal strip off Porto-Vecchio on the southern coast of Corsica have been established. Vessels and tenders operating close inshore in the Porto-Vecchio Gulf should review the order for the full conditions applicable to their operations.

New regulations governing navigation, anchoring, diving, and high-speed water sports within the 300-metre coastal strip off Argelès-sur-Mer on the Roussillon coast have been established. Vessels and tenders operating close inshore south of Perpignan should review the order for the full conditions applicable to their operations.

A temporary derogation has been granted to existing coastal orders 318/2024 and 167/2024 to permit an underwater archaeological survey off the commune of Cannes from 18 May to 5 June 2026. Vessels and tenders operating in the coastal strip off Cannes Bay during this period should be aware of survey diving activity and review the order for the applicable zones.

Navigation, fishing, diving, and bathing restrictions apply in the waters off Genova in connection with environmental monitoring and survey work at the Nuova Diga di Genova new breakwater construction project. Vessels navigating in the approaches to Genova harbour should review the ordinance for the designated exclusion zone and timing before entering the area.

Navigation restrictions have been established in the waters off Livorno in connection with the Santa Giulia religious festivities. Vessels navigating or anchoring near the Livorno coastline during the event period should maintain clear of the designated area and confirm timing with the Livorno harbour master's office.

The Italian national sailing championship for the J24 and SB20 classes has been authorised in the waters of the Gulf of Gaeta on the southern Lazio coast. Navigation restrictions apply within the race course area — vessels navigating in the Gulf of Gaeta should maintain clear of racing traffic and course marking buoys for the duration of the event.

The Italian Coast Guard harbour office at La Maddalena has extended the validity of Ordinance 035/2026, which governs fishing, diving, bathing, and navigation restrictions in the La Maddalena Archipelago area. Vessels operating in the waters around the La Maddalena Archipelago off northern Sardinia should confirm the current operational conditions with the La Maddalena harbour master's office.

Explosive ordnance disposal operations involving the controlled destruction of recovered wartime munitions are scheduled to take place in the waters of the La Maddalena Archipelago on 20 May 2026. Vessels navigating or anchored in the La Maddalena Archipelago area on that date must maintain clear of the designated exclusion zone — review the ordinance for the precise location and time window before approaching.

Navigation, diving, and fishing restrictions have been established in the waters off Elba Island in connection with the Sa.Co.I.3 project, which involves the installation of two new high-voltage direct current cable connections between the Italian mainland, Sardinia, and Corsica. Vessels navigating or anchoring in the waters around Elba Island should review the ordinance for the designated restricted zones and duration before operating in the area.

Seasonal restrictions governing navigation, bathing, fishing, and port access have been established for the Lido del Circeo area on the southern Lazio coast near the Circeo National Park. Vessels operating close inshore or planning to anchor along this stretch of coastline should review the ordinance for the applicable conditions before approaching.

The Italian Coast Guard at Monfalcone has extended the navigation and maritime activity restrictions associated with the ongoing reconstruction of the quay and basin in the former SO.DE.NA. area at Marina Monfalcone at the head of the Adriatic. Vessels navigating or planning to berth at Marina Monfalcone should confirm the current extent of the works exclusion zone with the Monfalcone harbour master's office before approaching.

The Italian Coast Guard at Porto Garibaldi has extended the navigation restriction associated with ongoing works at Loganovo on the northern Adriatic coast south of the Po Delta. Vessels navigating in this area should confirm the current scope and duration of the restriction with the Porto Garibaldi harbour master's office before approaching.

An open water swimming event has been authorised in the waters of the Isole Tremiti archipelago in the central Adriatic. Navigation and bathing restrictions apply within the designated course area — vessels navigating or anchoring near the Tremiti Islands during the event should allow clear sea room for the course and confirm timing with the Termoli harbour master's office.

The Marshall Islands Registry has published Yacht Safety Advisory 2026-02 setting out the requirements for official records and log books that must be maintained on board Marshall Islands-registered yachts. Masters and vessel managers of Marshall Islands-flagged yachts should review the advisory to confirm their onboard record-keeping arrangements comply with current flag state requirements, particularly ahead of any upcoming port state control inspections or flag state surveys.

The Marshall Islands Registry has issued a revised Marine Notice covering the design, installation, and operation of recreational fire appliances on board registered yachts — including solid-fuel fireplaces, ethanol fireplaces, liquefied petroleum gas installations, external fire pits, barbecues, spit roasts, and charcoal galley ovens. Key requirements include mandatory carbon monoxide alarms in all enclosed spaces containing a fire appliance, specific ventilation and exhaust duct standards, fire extinguisher placement, liquefied petroleum gas cylinder stowage rules, and the treatment of ashes as domestic waste under the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships Annex V. The revised notice applies to all commercial, passenger, private limited charter, and trade yachts registered with the Marshall Islands, regardless of size, with full compliance required for vessels with a keel laid on or after 1 January 2021.