Weekly maritime regulatory digest
The weekly briefing.
Week ending 18 August 2026 · Archived edition
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Med East
Four Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service notices: the Nisides Karavia firing practice area in the Myrtoo Sea has been activated again for Italian Navy live firing, and three lights are reported unlit — on the western coast of the North Evvoikos Gulf, at Sifnos Island in the South Aegean, and at the Exinades Islands in the North Ionian Sea. Nav warnings
Med NW
Eleven French Maritime Prefecture Mediterranean orders: navigation and anchoring arrangements for the Cannes Yachting Festival and the forty-eighth Régates Royales; explosive device disposal off Hyères and Cap Corse; three-hundred-metre coastal strip regulations at Le Lavandou, Le Grau-du-Roi and Santo Pietro di Tenda; swimming events at Toulon and Sanary-sur-Mer; a speed sailing event at La Palme; and a public air display over Toulon. Local
Atlantic NW
One French Maritime Prefecture Atlantique order: a temporary derogation covering the bathing zone and crossing channels at La Baule-Escoublac for the Open Swim Stars event on 22 August. Local
Italy Tyrr.
Three Italian Coast Guard ordinances in the Tyrrhenian: a club sailing rally off Imperia, the Dart class national regatta in the Piombino district, and rowing selection training on the same stretch of the Tuscan coast. Local
Italy South
Four Italian Coast Guard ordinances: a fireworks display in the port of Ustica for the feast of Saint Bartholomew; a windsurfing regatta and the annual swim crossing of the Strait of Messina on 22 August; and canoe and rowing competitions in the Mar Piccolo at Taranto for the twentieth Mediterranean Games. Local
Italy Adria.
Three Italian Coast Guard ordinances: an aquathlon and the thirty-third Palio dei Rioni rowing contest off Molfetta, and a sea procession in honour of Saint Phocas at San Foca on the Salento coast. Local
Med SW
Two Spanish Navy Hydrographic Institute notices: a floating barrier charted at the Tarajal border in Ceuta, and submarine exercise areas charted in the approaches to Cartagena. Nav / Hydrographic
Atl West
Five Spanish Navy Hydrographic Institute notices on the Galician and Cantabrian coast: a floating pontoon charted at Castropol, a seasonal leading line and a pontoon extension in the Ría de Betanzos, an increased light range at Malpica, and two safe water marks removed at the mouth of the Miño. Nav / Hydrographic
Flag
UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency replaces Amendment 1 of Marine Guidance Note 370 with Amendment 2, covering the Dreadnought Medical Service for seafarers. Flag / Safety
Insurance
The Shipowners Club issues a further notice of cancellation in respect of war risks for certain non-mutual covers, confirming that the exclusions set out in its earlier notices remain fully in force. War risks
For any navigation warning or local ordinance, confirm positions, time windows, and chart updates with the issuing authority before operations.
35 notices
Eastern Mediterranean
Greece
Note: the same notices appear under two source labels in the data feed (Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service and Greece HNHS NAVWARNs). Each entry below represents a single unique notice.
988/2026 — North Evvoikos Gulf, western coast — light unlit
A navigation light on the western coast of the North Evvoikos Gulf has been reported unlit. Vessels transiting the Evvoikos channel or closing the western shore after dark should update their chart annotations and treat the position as unmarked until the light is confirmed restored.
986/2026 — Myrtoo Sea — activation of firing practice area Nisides Karavia, Italian Navy live firing
The firing practice area at Nisides Karavia in the Myrtoo Sea has been activated again for live firing by the Italian Navy. Vessels routeing between the eastern Peloponnese and the western Cyclades should confirm the current active time windows and area boundaries with the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service and remain well clear while firing is in progress.
985/2026 — South Aegean Sea, Sifnos Island — light unlit
A navigation light at Sifnos Island in the South Aegean has been reported unlit. Vessels approaching or anchoring off Sifnos after dark should update their chart annotations and exercise particular caution on the affected approach until the light is confirmed restored.
981/2026 — North Ionian Sea, Exinades Islands — light unlit
A navigation light at the Exinades Islands in the North Ionian Sea has been reported unlit. Vessels navigating between the island group and the mainland, or approaching the Gulf of Patras, should update their chart annotations and should not rely on this light for night passage planning.
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 2026-344 — Navigation, anchoring, bathing and diving restriction — Sanary-sur-Mer and Six-Fours-les-Plages (Var), Six-Fours Swim Cup, 5 and 6 September 2026
Navigation, anchoring, bathing, and diving restrictions have been established in the coastal waters off Sanary-sur-Mer and Six-Fours-les-Plages for the Six-Fours Swim Cup on 5 and 6 September 2026. Vessels and tenders operating along this stretch of the Var coast on those dates should maintain clear of the swim course and confirm the boundaries and time windows with the French Maritime Prefecture Mediterranean before approaching.
Order 2026-343 — Navigation and anchoring restriction — Cannes (Alpes-Maritimes), Cannes Yachting Festival, 8 to 13 September 2026, with pontoon works on 26 August and 17 September
Navigation and anchoring restrictions have been established off Cannes for the Cannes Yachting Festival from 8 to 13 September 2026, with separate restrictions covering the installation of the floating pontoons on 26 August and their removal on 17 September. Masters and managers planning to attend the show, or to transit or anchor in the Baie de Cannes across this period, should review the order for the applicable areas and dates well in advance — approach and anchoring arrangements in the bay change substantially while the pontoon structures are in place.
Order 2026-342 — Three-hundred-metre coastal strip regulations — Le Grau-du-Roi (Gard)
New regulations govern navigation, anchoring, diving, and high-speed water sports within the three-hundred-metre coastal strip off Le Grau-du-Roi on the Gard coast. Vessels and tenders operating close inshore in this area should review the order for the applicable conditions before approaching the beaches.
Order 2026-341 — Three-hundred-metre coastal strip regulations — Le Lavandou (Var)
New regulations govern navigation, anchoring, diving, and high-speed water sports within the three-hundred-metre coastal strip off Le Lavandou on the Var coast. Vessels and tenders operating close inshore along the Lavandou beaches and the approaches to the Îles d'Hyères should review the order for the applicable conditions before approaching.
Order 2026-340 — Navigation, anchoring, bathing and diving restriction — Cannes (Alpes-Maritimes), forty-eighth Régates Royales, 21 to 26 September 2026
Navigation, anchoring, bathing, and diving restrictions have been established off Cannes for the forty-eighth edition of the Régates Royales from 21 to 26 September 2026. Vessels navigating or anchoring in the Baie de Cannes during the regatta should maintain clear of the race area and confirm course boundaries and daily time windows with the French Maritime Prefecture Mediterranean.
Order 2026-338 — Explosive ordnance disposal — navigation, anchoring, diving and bathing restriction off Cap Corse (Haute-Corse), 17 August 2026
Navigation, anchoring, diving, and bathing were restricted in the waters off Cap Corse on 17 August 2026 for the disposal of explosive devices. Vessels rounding the northern tip of Corsica should confirm with the French Maritime Prefecture Mediterranean that the operation has been completed and the restriction lifted before operating in the area.
Order 2026-337 — Explosive device disposal — navigation, anchoring, bathing and diving restriction, Hyères (Var)
Navigation, anchoring, bathing, and diving restrictions have been established off Hyères on the Var coast for the disposal of an explosive device. Vessels navigating or anchoring in the Hyères roadstead — a heavily used summer anchorage — should maintain clear of the restricted area and verify with the French Maritime Prefecture Mediterranean whether the operation has been completed before approaching.
Order 2026-336 — Navigation, anchoring and diving restriction — La Palme (Aude), speed sailing event, 1 September to 1 October 2026
Navigation, anchoring, and diving restrictions apply in the coastal waters off La Palme on the Aude coast for a speed sailing event running from 1 September to 1 October 2026. Vessels navigating this stretch of the Languedoc coast during the month-long event window should maintain clear of the course area and confirm the daily arrangements with the French Maritime Prefecture Mediterranean.
Order 2026-335 — Navigation, anchoring, bathing and diving restriction — Toulon (Var), Toulon Swim Race, 30 August 2026
Navigation, anchoring, bathing, and diving restrictions have been established in the coastal waters off Toulon for the Toulon Swim Race on 30 August 2026. Vessels navigating or anchoring in the Rade de Toulon on that date should maintain clear of the swim course and confirm the boundaries and time window with the French Maritime Prefecture Mediterranean.
Order 2026-334 — Three-hundred-metre coastal strip regulations — Santo Pietro di Tenda (Haute-Corse)
New regulations govern navigation, anchoring, diving, and high-speed water sports within the three-hundred-metre coastal strip off Santo Pietro di Tenda on the northern coast of Corsica. Vessels and tenders operating close inshore west of Saint-Florent should review the order for the applicable conditions before approaching the beaches.
Order 2026-332 — Authorisation of a public air display — commune of Toulon
A public air display has been authorised over the commune of Toulon. Vessels navigating or anchored in the Rade de Toulon during the display should expect low-flying aircraft and a concentration of spectator craft, and should confirm the date and time window with the French Maritime Prefecture Mediterranean before operating in the area.
Northeast Atlantic
France · Atlantic
⚠ These orders are issued by the French Maritime Prefecture for the Atlantic. Links are to the official signed documents (PDF). Verify expiry dates with the issuing authority.
Order 2026-140 — Temporary derogation in the bathing zone and crossing channels — La Baule-Escoublac (Loire-Atlantique), Open Swim Stars, 22 August 2026
A temporary derogation from the rules applying to the bathing zone and the crossing channels at the beach of La Baule-Escoublac has been granted for the Open Swim Stars event on 22 August 2026. Vessels and tenders using the crossing channels at La Baule on that date should expect swimmers in the water and confirm the applicable arrangements with the French Maritime Prefecture Atlantique before approaching the beach.
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.
Imperia 67/2026 — Club sailing rally — navigation restrictions
A club sailing rally has been authorised in the waters off Imperia on the western Ligurian Riviera, with navigation restrictions in force within the course area. Vessels navigating off Imperia during the event should maintain clear of participating craft and confirm course boundaries and timing with the Imperia harbour master's office.
Piombino 109/2026 — Dart class national sailing regatta — navigation, diving, bathing and fishing restrictions
The Dart class national sailing regatta has been authorised in the waters of the Piombino maritime district on the northern Tyrrhenian coast, with navigation, diving, bathing, and fishing restrictions in force within the course area. Vessels navigating the Piombino channel and the approaches to Elba during the event should maintain clear of racing traffic and confirm course boundaries and timing with the Piombino harbour office.
Piombino 108/2026 — Rowing selection training — navigation, diving, bathing and fishing restrictions
Navigation, diving, bathing, and fishing restrictions have been established in the coastal waters of the Piombino maritime district for rowing selection training sessions. Vessels navigating close inshore along this stretch of the Tuscan coast should maintain clear of the training area and confirm the applicable timings with the Piombino harbour office before approaching.
Southern Italy / Ionian
Italy · South
⚠ 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.
Palermo 84/2026 — Fireworks display for the feast of Saint Bartholomew — port of Ustica
A fireworks display has been authorised in the port of Ustica for the festivities in honour of Saint Bartholomew, with port, navigation, bathing, diving, and shoreside traffic restrictions in force. Vessels berthed at or approaching Ustica during the festivities should review the ordinance for the applicable exclusion area and time window and confirm arrangements with the Palermo harbour master's office.
Messina 178/2026 — Sixteenth Trofeo Claudio Pellicane windsurfing regatta — navigation restriction, 5 and 6 September 2026
The sixteenth Trofeo Claudio Pellicane windsurfing regatta has been authorised on 5 and 6 September 2026, with navigation, diving, bathing, and fishing restrictions in force within the course area. Vessels navigating in the Messina maritime district on those dates should maintain clear of the race area and confirm course boundaries and timing with the Messina harbour master's office.
Messina 177/2026 — Swim crossing of the Strait of Messina — navigation restriction, 22 August 2026
The swim crossing of the Strait of Messina takes place on 22 August 2026, with navigation, diving, bathing, and fishing restrictions in force in the affected waters. Vessels transiting the Strait of Messina on that date should expect swimmers and escort craft in the crossing corridor, plan the passage around the event window, and confirm the applicable timings with the Messina harbour master's office.
Taranto 210/2026 — Twentieth Mediterranean Games, canoe and rowing competitions in the Mar Piccolo — navigation and port restrictions, 21 August to 3 September 2026
Canoe and rowing competitions for the twentieth Mediterranean Games take place in the Mar Piccolo at Taranto from 21 August to 3 September 2026, with navigation, port, and shoreside traffic restrictions in force. Vessels berthed in or transiting the Mar Piccolo across this period should review the ordinance for the applicable exclusion areas and daily time windows and confirm arrangements with the Taranto harbour master's office.
Adriatic Sea
Italy · Adriatic
⚠ 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.
Molfetta 61/2026 — Aquathlon 2026 — diving, bathing and navigation restrictions
An aquathlon event has been authorised in the waters off Molfetta on the Apulian Adriatic coast, with diving, bathing, and navigation restrictions in force. Vessels navigating or anchoring off Molfetta during the event should maintain clear of the swim course and confirm boundaries and timing with the Molfetta harbour master's office.
Molfetta 60/2026 — Thirty-third Palio dei Rioni rowing contest — bathing, navigation and port restrictions
The thirty-third edition of the Palio dei Rioni rowing contest has been authorised at Molfetta, with bathing, navigation, and port restrictions in force in the harbour and adjacent waters. Vessels berthed at or approaching Molfetta during the event should review the ordinance for the applicable exclusion area and time window and confirm arrangements with the Molfetta harbour master's office.
Otranto 045/2026 — Sea procession in honour of Saint Phocas — navigation, diving, bathing and fishing restrictions, San Foca
A sea procession in honour of Saint Phocas has been authorised in the waters off San Foca on the Adriatic coast north of Otranto, with navigation, diving, bathing, and fishing restrictions in force. Vessels navigating or anchoring off this stretch of the Salento coast during the procession should maintain clear of the affected area and confirm the time window with the Otranto harbour office.
Western Mediterranean
Spain · Mediterranean
These notices are from the Spanish Navy Hydrographic Institute weekly bulletin (Grupo 33/2026, 15 August 2026). The PDF link for both notices in this section refers to the full weekly bulletin.
33/197 — Ceuta, Tarajal border — floating barrier charted
A floating barrier has been charted at the Tarajal border on the coast of Ceuta, running between two positions close inshore. Vessels navigating or anchoring in the approaches to Ceuta should update their chart annotations and keep well clear of the barrier line.
33/198 and 33/199 — Cartagena approaches — submarine exercise areas charted
Submarine exercise areas in the approaches to Cartagena on the south-eastern coast of Spain have been charted, with new area boundaries inserted and an explanatory note added to the exercise-area table on the general chart. Vessels routeing between Cabo de Palos and Cartagena — a busy corridor for yachts moving between the Balearics and the Strait of Gibraltar — should update their chart annotations and monitor broadcast warnings for periods of submarine activity.
Northwest Atlantic
Spain · Galicia & Cantabria
These notices are from the Spanish Navy Hydrographic Institute weekly bulletin (Grupo 33/2026, 15 August 2026). The PDF link for all notices in this section refers to the full weekly bulletin.
33/190 — Castropol, Ría de Ribadeo — floating pontoon charted
A floating pontoon has been charted at Castropol in the Ría de Ribadeo on the western Asturian coast. Vessels navigating or berthing within the ría should update their chart annotations to reflect the new structure before manoeuvring in the area.
33/191 — Ría de Betanzos, Punta de San Pedro — seasonal leading line added to the buoyage
A leading line of three hundred and fifty-three degrees, in force from June to September, has been added to the characteristics of the buoyage at Punta de San Pedro in the Ría de Betanzos, with the Lighthouse and Fog Signal List corrected accordingly. Vessels approaching the ría during the summer season should update their chart annotations and verify the current arrangement before committing to the approach.
33/192 — Ría de Betanzos, Puerto de Fontán — pontoon extension charted
The pontoon at Puerto de Fontán in the Ría de Betanzos has been extended and the new alignment charted. Vessels berthing at or manoeuvring within Fontán should update their chart annotations to reflect the extended structure.
33/193 — Puerto de Malpica — light range increased
The range of the green flashing light at Puerto de Malpica on the north-western coast of Galicia has been increased from four to five nautical miles, with the Lighthouse and Fog Signal List corrected accordingly. Masters making a night approach to Malpica should update their chart annotations and light list entries to reflect the revised range.
33/194 — Río Miño, Playa de Camposancos — two safe water marks suppressed
Two red-and-white safe water marks off the Playa de Camposancos in the Río Miño have been suppressed and removed from the chart, with the Lighthouse and Fog Signal List corrected accordingly. Vessels navigating the Miño estuary on the border between Galicia and Portugal should update their chart annotations and should not rely on these marks for the approach.
Flag State
UK MCA
Marine Guidance Note 370 Amendment 2 — the Dreadnought Medical Service
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency has withdrawn Amendment 1 of Marine Guidance Note 370 and replaced it with Amendment 2, which adds two provisions to the referral procedure — a cost estimate is now required on the referral form, and where a referral runs into difficulty the agency's medical administration team can contact the service directly with the seafarer's written permission. The notice covers the Dreadnought Medical Service, which offers priority medical treatment at no charge to active seafarers resident in the United Kingdom through the Guy's and St Thomas' hospital trust in London. Managers and masters with United Kingdom resident crew should note the revised referral arrangements.
Marine Insurance
Marine Insurance — War Risks
Notice of cancellation in respect of war risks for certain non-mutual covers — August 2026
The Shipowners Club has issued a further notice of cancellation in respect of war risks for certain non-mutual covers, dated 12 August 2026. The notice is issued in addition to, and does not replace, the club's notice of alteration to terms and conditions of insurance of 12 February 2024 and its notice of cancellation of 5 March 2026 — the exclusions set out in those earlier notices remain fully in force. Owners and managers holding non-mutual cover placed through the club should review the notice with their broker to confirm the current position on war risks exposure.
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