Weekly maritime regulatory digest
The weekly briefing.
Week ending 13 April 2026 · Archived edition
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Med East
Nine unique Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service notices this week: Italian Navy live firing extends the Myrtoo Sea Nisides Karavia practice area again; underwater sonar calibration checks at Drapano Point off Crete (Cretan Sea); and seven aids-to-navigation defects — lights unlit at Korinthiakos Gulf (Fonias Islet), Syros, Skopelos, Folegandros, and Kerkyra (Corfu), plus a green lightbuoy cut off and missing between Othonoi and Ereikoussa Islands in the North Ionian Sea. Nav warnings
Med NW
Nine French Maritime Prefecture orders: navigation, anchoring, diving, and bathing restrictions off Narbonne (Aude); a temporary explosive ordnance disposal closure off Sète/Vassal Beach (8–9 April); a scientific research derogation for Ifremer offshore; 300-metre coastal strip regulations for Mandelieu-la-Napoule and Villeneuve-Loubet (Alpes-Maritimes); a derogation for aerial filming at the Leucate/Barcarès offshore wind farm; a scientific posidonia survey derogation off Villefranche-sur-Mer (13–18 April); navigation restrictions off Leucate for the Mondial du Vent windsport event (22–26 April); and navigation restrictions off Ajaccio for a freediving competition (23–31 May). Local
Italy
Ten Italian Coast Guard ordinances across Tyrrhenian, Southern Italy, and Adriatic coasts: extensions of existing works orders at Castellammare di Stabia and Salerno; a sailing regatta and a boat fishing competition in the Salerno/Agropoli area; in Southern Italy, cancellation of wartime ordnance clearance restrictions off Porticello (Sicily) and an oceanographic survey off Siracusa; in the Adriatic, a Bari–Dubrovnik offshore sailing regatta, submarine pipeline inspection works off Bari, and geophysical survey works off Barletta. Local
Flag
Transport Malta: cancellation of the Notice to Mariners for the destroyed Bengħisa East Cardinal Buoy, and live firing at sea (Gunex 01/2026). Marshall Islands Registry: enclosed space entry safety bulletin reissued (13 April). Malaysia Marine Department: termination of barge cargo operations at Port Dickson, and inspection works on the Petron single buoy mooring at Port Dickson. Flag / Safety
Class
DNV publishes a summary of revised International Maritime Organization recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships, adopted in June 2025 and now in effect — relevant for safety management system review across all vessel types. Safety learning
For any navigation warning or local ordinance, confirm positions, time windows, and chart updates with the issuing authority before operations.
33 notices
Eastern Mediterranean
Greece
Note: the same notices appear under two source labels in the data feed. Each entry below represents a single unique notice. Notices 473/2026 and 474/2026 relate to the same lightbuoy defect event and are combined into one entry.
484/2026 — Extension of Italian Navy live firing, Myrtoo Sea, Nisides Karavia firing practice area
The activation of the Nisides Karavia firing practice area in the Myrtoo Sea has been extended again, this time for Italian Navy live firing exercises. 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.
483/2026 — Underwater sonar calibration checks, Drapano Point, Crete Island, Cretan Sea
Underwater sonar calibration checks (known as Fleet Operational Readiness Accuracy Checks) are being conducted in the waters off Drapano Point on the north coast of Crete. Vessels navigating in this area of the Cretan Sea should be aware of naval activity and confirm the precise time window with the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service before approaching.
480/2026 — Navigation light unlit, Korinthiakos Gulf, Fonias Islet, Fykiada Point
The navigation light at Fykiada Point on Fonias Islet in the Korinthiakos Gulf has been reported unlit. Vessels navigating in the Korinthiakos Gulf should update chart annotations and exercise heightened caution on night passages until the light is confirmed restored.
476/2026 — Navigation light unlit, Syros Island, Kontogiannis Point, Kyklades Islands
The navigation light at Kontogiannis Point on Syros Island in the Kyklades has been reported unlit. Vessels navigating in the area around Syros should update chart annotations and exercise caution on night approaches until the light is confirmed restored.
473/2026 & 474/2026 — Green lightbuoy cut off and missing, Othonoi and Ereikoussa Islands, North Ionian Sea
A green lightbuoy serving the waters between Othonoi and Ereikoussa Islands in the North Ionian Sea has been cut from its mooring and is missing. Two separate notices have been issued for this event — vessels navigating in the approaches to these islands, particularly those making night passages, should treat the lightbuoy as absent and confirm the situation with the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service before approaching.
472/2026 — Navigation light unlit, Skopelos Island, North Aegean Sea
A navigation light on Skopelos Island in the North Aegean has been reported unlit. Vessels navigating in the Northern Sporades and approaching Skopelos should update chart annotations and exercise caution on night passages until the light is confirmed restored.
469/2026 — Navigation light unlit, Folegandros Island, Kyklades Islands
A navigation light on Folegandros Island in the Kyklades has been reported unlit. Vessels navigating in the southern Kyklades and approaching Folegandros should update chart annotations and exercise caution on night passages until the light is confirmed restored.
462/2026 — Navigation light unlit, Kerkyra (Corfu) Island, Sidero Point, North Ionian Sea
The navigation light at Sidero Point on Kerkyra (Corfu) Island in the North Ionian Sea has been reported unlit. Vessels navigating in the approaches to Corfu and the North Ionian Sea should update chart annotations and exercise heightened caution on night passages until the light is confirmed restored.
Northwestern Mediterranean
France · Mediterranean
⚠ These orders are issued by the French Maritime Prefecture for the Mediterranean. Links are to the official signed documents (PDF). Verify expiry dates with the issuing authority.
Order 2026-092 — Navigation, anchoring, diving, bathing, and fishing restrictions, Narbonne (Aude)
Temporary restrictions governing navigation, anchoring, diving, bathing, and the use of fishing gear have been established in the coastal waters off the commune of Narbonne in the Aude department. Vessels and tenders operating along this stretch of the Languedoc coast should review the order for the precise restricted zone boundaries and duration before manoeuvring in the area.
Order 2026-082 — Temporary closure for explosive ordnance disposal, Sète, Vassal Beach (Hérault), 8–9 April 2026
Navigation, anchoring, diving, fishing, and bathing in the coastal waters off Vassal Beach at Sète were restricted on 8 and 9 April 2026 to allow the safe treatment and removal of explosive ordnance. This notice has now expired but is included for situational awareness — operators who received reports of the closure in the area should note that it has been lifted.
Order 2026-084 — Scientific marine research authorisation, Ifremer campaign, with derogation to order 391/2025
A scientific marine research campaign has been authorised for the benefit of the French national oceanographic research institute, with a formal derogation to the existing prefectural restriction order 391/2025 of October 2025. Vessels navigating in the relevant offshore area should be aware of the research vessel operations and confirm the zone and timing with the Maritime Prefecture before planning passage.
Order 2026-085 — Coastal strip regulations (300-metre band), Mandelieu-la-Napoule (Alpes-Maritimes)
New regulations governing navigation, anchoring, diving, and high-speed water sports within the 300-metre coastal strip off the commune of Mandelieu-la-Napoule in the Alpes-Maritimes have been established. Vessels and tenders operating along this Riviera coastline between Cannes and Théoule-sur-Mer should review the order for the full conditions applicable to their operations.
Order 2026-086 — Coastal strip regulations (300-metre band), Villeneuve-Loubet (Alpes-Maritimes)
New regulations governing navigation, anchoring, diving, and high-speed water sports within the 300-metre coastal strip off the commune of Villeneuve-Loubet in the Alpes-Maritimes have been established. Vessels and tenders operating along this stretch of the Riviera coast between Antibes and Cagnes-sur-Mer should review the order for the full conditions applicable to their operations.
Order 2026-087 — Aerial photography derogation, offshore wind farm at Leucate (Aude) and Le Barcarès (Pyrénées-Orientales), with derogation to order 391/2025
Aerial photography operations over the pilot offshore wind farm off Leucate and Le Barcarès have been authorised with a derogation to the existing restriction order 391/2025 of October 2025. Vessels and tenders navigating in the vicinity of the Leucate/Barcarès wind farm should be aware of aerial activity and maintain clear of any designated exclusion zones during the filming operation.
Order 2026-088 — Scientific posidonia meadow survey, Villefranche-sur-Mer (Alpes-Maritimes), 13–18 April 2026, with derogation to order 252/2022
A scientific survey of the posidonia seagrass meadow in the bay of Villefranche has been authorised from 13 to 18 April 2026, with a formal derogation to the existing prefectural restriction order 252/2022. Vessels anchoring or operating close inshore off Villefranche during this period should review the order for the restricted zone boundary and maintain clear of the survey operations.
Order 2026-089 — Navigation, anchoring, bathing, and diving restrictions, Leucate (Aude) — Mondial du Vent windsport event, 22–26 April 2026
Navigation, anchoring, bathing, and diving in the coastal waters off the commune of Leucate in the Aude department are restricted from 22 to 26 April 2026 during the Mondial du Vent international windsport competition. Vessels and tenders planning to operate in or transit through this stretch of coastline during the event should review the order for the precise restricted zones and timing before approaching.
Order 2026-090 — Navigation, anchoring, bathing, and diving restrictions, Ajaccio (Corse-du-Sud) — Cormorant Freediving Deep Week, 23–31 May 2026
Navigation, anchoring, bathing, and diving restrictions have been established in the coastal waters off Ajaccio in southern Corsica from 23 to 31 May 2026 for the Cormorant Freediving Deep Week competition. Vessels and superyacht tenders operating off Ajaccio during this period should review the order for the precise zone boundaries before approaching the restricted area.
Tyrrhenian Sea
Italy · Tyrrhenian
⚠ Italian Coast Guard ordinance links may become inactive once a temporary order expires. If a link is broken the notice has likely lapsed — confirm with the issuing harbour master's office if operational certainty is required.
Castellammare di Stabia 14/2026 — Extension of water area works, Castellammare di Stabia, until 31 May 2026
Ordinance 14/2026 extends the restrictions established under ordinance 158/2025 for ongoing works within the water area off the commune of Castellammare di Stabia (Naples) until 31 May 2026. Vessels navigating or approaching this stretch of the northern Tyrrhenian coast near the Bay of Naples should review the ordinance for the current restricted zone and allow adequate clearance.
Salerno 27/2026 — Extension of underwater sensor monitoring works, Salerno, until 15 May 2026
Ordinance 27/2026 extends the restrictions established under ordinance 137/2025 for ongoing underwater sensor monitoring works in the waters off Salerno until 15 May 2026. Vessels navigating in the Bay of Salerno should confirm the current active zone boundaries with the Salerno harbour master's office before manoeuvring in the vicinity.
Salerno 26/2026 — Sailing regatta, Bay of Salerno, 12 April 2026
A sailing regatta has been authorised in the waters of the Bay of Salerno on 12 April 2026. Navigation restrictions applied within the designated race course area during the event — vessels that had noted this notice should be aware the event has now passed and restrictions are lifted.
Agropoli 17/2026 — 30th Italian Naval League Spring Championship regatta, Agropoli
The 30th spring championship regatta of the Italian Naval League, Agropoli section, has been authorised in the waters off Agropoli on the Cilento coast south of Salerno. Fishing and navigation restrictions apply within the designated race area — vessels passing this stretch of the southern Tyrrhenian coast should allow adequate sea room for racing traffic.
Pozzuoli 27/2026 — Boat fishing competition, Pozzuoli
The second round of the provincial boat fishing championship has been authorised in the waters off Pozzuoli in the Campi Flegrei area west of Naples. Navigation and fishing restrictions apply within the designated area during the competition — vessels and tenders operating in the waters off Pozzuoli should review the ordinance for the active zone and timing.
Southern Italy / Sicily / Ionian
Italy · South
Porticello 016/2026 — Revocation of wartime ordnance clearance restrictions, Porticello (Sicily)
The restrictions established by earlier ordinances to allow the safe clearance of wartime explosive ordnance from the seabed off Porticello on the northern Sicilian coast have been formally revoked, with the Maritime Authority confirming the danger has passed. Vessels and divers that had noted active restrictions in this area should treat them as lifted — the area is now clear for normal navigation, fishing, diving, and bathing.
Siracusa 45/2026 — Oceanographic research campaign, research vessel Gaia Blu (PAGES programme), Syracuse waters
An oceanographic research campaign under the international PAGES scientific programme has been authorised for the research vessel Gaia Blu in the waters off Syracuse on the southeastern coast of Sicily. Vessels navigating in the approaches to Syracuse should be aware of the research vessel operations and maintain adequate clearance from the survey area during the campaign.
Adriatic Sea / Puglia
Italy · Adriatic
Bari 24/2026 — 19th Transadriatica Est 105 offshore sailing regatta, Bari to Dubrovnik, 22 April 2026
The 19th edition of the Transadriatica Est 105 offshore sailing regatta, running from Bari to Dubrovnik, has been authorised with a departure from Bari on 22 April 2026. Vessels navigating in the coastal waters off Bari on that date and in the southern Adriatic along the race route should be aware of racing yacht traffic and allow adequate sea room during the start and initial leg.
Bari 23/2026 — Submarine pipeline inspection and maintenance works, Bari Ovest, Bari Est, and Mola di Bari
A temporary navigation, diving, and sea-use exclusion zone has been established in the waters off Bari to allow inspection and maintenance works on the submarine pipelines serving the Bari Ovest, Bari Est, and Mola di Bari wastewater treatment plants by the vessel Oceanus Orca. Vessels, divers, and any craft approaching the affected areas should review the ordinance for the precise zone boundaries and confirm current access conditions with the Bari harbour master's office.
Barletta 11/2026 — Geophysical and geotechnical seabed survey, Project Chart 25, Barletta maritime district
A geophysical and geotechnical seabed survey under Project Chart 25 has been authorised in the coastal waters of the Barletta maritime district in the central Adriatic. Navigation, diving, and bathing restrictions apply within the survey area — vessels and tenders operating in the waters off Barletta should review the ordinance for the precise zone and duration before manoeuvring in the vicinity.
Flag State
Malta
Cancellation of Notice to Mariners 15/2026 — Bengħisa East Cardinal Buoy destroyed
Transport Malta has cancelled Notice to Mariners 15/2026, which had alerted mariners to the destruction of the Bengħisa East Cardinal Buoy off the southeast coast of Malta. Vessels navigating in this area should note that the buoy remains absent — chart annotations should reflect this and extra caution should be exercised when passing this cardinal mark position until a replacement is confirmed operational.
Gunex 01/2026 — Live firing practice exercise at sea
Transport Malta has published a live firing exercise notice (Gunex 01/2026) for a naval live firing practice to be conducted at sea in Maltese waters. Vessels navigating in the designated exercise area should confirm the active time window and zone boundaries with Transport Malta before planning passage through or near the exercise area.
Flag State
Marshall Islands
Yacht Safety Advisory 2026-01 — Enclosed space entry incidents (reissued 13 April 2026)
The Marshall Islands Registry has again reissued its incident learning bulletin reinforcing the controls required for safe entry into enclosed spaces on board yachts, including atmosphere testing, rescue standby arrangements, and permit procedures. This is recommended crew briefing and safety management system review material for all vessels regardless of flag state.
Flag State
Malaysia
Port Circular 15/2026 — Termination of barge cargo operations, Port Dickson
The Malaysia Marine Department has published an amendment to Port Circular 12/2026 notifying the termination of cargo operations using barges within the port limits of Port Dickson on the west coast of peninsular Malaysia. Vessel operators and agents with barge cargo arrangements at Port Dickson should review this circular and confirm current operational conditions with the port authority.
Notice — Overall visual inspection of single buoy mooring, Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing, Port Dickson
An overall visual inspection of the single buoy mooring owned by Petron Malaysia Refining & Marketing at Port Dickson has been notified by the Malaysia Marine Department. Vessels navigating in the approaches to Port Dickson should be aware of inspection operations in the vicinity of the buoy mooring and maintain adequate clearance during the works.
Classification Society
DNV
Revised International Maritime Organization recommendations for enclosed space entry aboard ships (adopted June 2025)
DNV has published a statutory news summary covering the revised International Maritime Organization recommendations for entering enclosed spaces aboard ships, formally adopted on 27 June 2025, which are now to be implemented through each vessel's safety management system. Masters, designated persons ashore, and safety officers should review their current enclosed space entry procedures and permit systems against the revised recommendations — this is relevant to all vessel types regardless of class society or flag state.
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