Weekly maritime regulatory digest
The weekly briefing.
Week ending 27 October 2026
Read the fast-scan summary · jump to a region
Med East
Ten Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service notices: eight on unlit or failed lights and light buoys, an activated firing practice area off Crete and a temporary change to the Evripos Strait bridge schedule. Nav warnings
Med NW
One French Maritime Prefecture Mediterranean order regulating navigation, anchoring, diving and swimming off the Pointe du Cannier (26 to 30 October). Nav restrictions
Tyrrhenian
Six Italian Coast Guard ordinances: wartime ordnance detonation off Pozzuoli and at La Maddalena on 28 October (29 October in reserve), a net recovery on the River Tiber at Fiumicino, an extension of the Arcola pipeline removal order at La Spezia, a school nautical event at Torre del Greco and quay closures at Sestri Levante. Local
Southern Italy
Four Italian Coast Guard ordinances: submarine cable works off Porticello until February 2027, helicopter firing exercises off Augusta on 27 and 28 October, a regatta at Reggio Calabria on 31 October and 1 November and seagrass monitoring at Bonagia. Local
Med SW
Three Spanish Navy Hydrographic Institute notices: a light characteristic change at Port de Sóller in the Balearic Islands, the temporary closure of Puerto de Marymontaña during works and the removal of five buoys off Cartagena. Nav warnings
Atl West
Two Spanish Navy Hydrographic Institute notices: navigation marks removed in the Ría de Ribadeo and temporary anchorage areas at Avilés. Nav warnings
Marshall Is
One Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator notice revising the radio message accounting procedures and the list of approved Accounting Authorities. Flag state
UK MCA
One UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency notice on how references to Marine Equipment Directive approved equipment should be read. Flag state
Insurance
One Shipowners Club article on new industry fire drill guidelines for vehicle carrying vessels. Security
For any navigation warning or local ordinance, confirm positions, time windows, and chart updates with the issuing authority before operations.
29 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.
1300/2026 — Saronikos Gulf, Strait and Nafstathmos Salaminas Channel — light buoy unlit
A light buoy in the strait and channel of Nafstathmos Salaminas, in the Saronikos Gulf, is reported unlit. Vessels using the channel, especially at night, should navigate with caution.
1298/2026 — Evvoia Island, Evripos Strait — drawbridge operating schedule temporarily amended
The operating schedule of the drawbridge over the Evripos Strait at Evvoia Island has been temporarily amended. Yachts planning to pass through the strait should check the notice for the revised opening times before passage.
1296/2026 — North Ionian Sea, Kefallinia, Poros Bay — Sarakinato Point light unlit
The light at Sarakinato Point in Poros Bay, on Kefallinia, is reported unlit. Vessels in the bay after dark should navigate with caution.
1294/2026 — Thracian Sea, port of Alexandroupoli — lighted navigation aids lost or not working
Some lighted navigation aids at the port of Alexandroupoli are reported lost or not functioning. Vessels approaching or leaving the port at night should navigate with caution and check the notice for the aids affected.
1293/2026 — Thracian Sea, Alexandroupoli Channel — light unlit
A light in the Alexandroupoli Channel is reported unlit. Vessels using the channel at night should navigate with caution.
1292/2026 — Thracian Sea, Alexandroupoli — light unlit
A further light at Alexandroupoli is reported unlit, separate from the channel light in notice 1293/2026. Vessels in the approaches to the port at night should navigate with caution.
1291/2026 — North coast of the Korinthiakos Gulf, Antikyra Bay — light buoy unlit
A light buoy in Antikyra Bay, on the north coast of the Korinthiakos Gulf, is reported unlit. Vessels entering or leaving the bay at night should navigate with caution.
1290/2026 — North Cretan Sea — Kriti firing practice area, sector A, activated
Sector A of the Kriti firing practice area in the North Cretan Sea has been activated. Vessels on passage off the north coast of Crete should check the notice for times and keep clear of the sector while it is active.
1286/2026 — Southeast Aegean Sea, Rodos — light unlit
A light on the island of Rodos is reported unlit. Vessels approaching the island at night should navigate with caution.
1285/2026 — Paros — light unlit
A light on the island of Paros is reported unlit. Vessels in the waters around Paros at night should navigate with caution.
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 2026-407 — Pointe du Cannier (Var) — navigation, anchoring, diving and swimming regulated, 26 to 30 October 2026
The French Maritime Prefecture for the Mediterranean has regulated navigation, anchoring, diving and swimming off the Pointe du Cannier in the Var from 26 to 30 October 2026. Yachts passing or anchoring in the area this week should read the order for the restricted zone before moving.
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.
La Spezia 294/2026 — Removal of offshore pipeline and buoy field, Deposito di Arcola — restriction extended to 6 November 2026
The Coast Guard office of La Spezia has extended its Ordinance 267/2026 of 28 September until 6 November 2026. That ordinance regulates navigation in the water area affected by the decommissioning of the Deposito di Arcola offshore oil pipeline and mooring buoy field in the Gulf of La Spezia. The extension does not restate the restricted area, so check Ordinance 267/2026 for its limits before entering the gulf.
Roma Fiumicino 119/2026 — River Tiber, Tor Boacciana to Ponte della Scafa — recovery of abandoned fishing net — navigation restriction
The Coast Guard office of Roma Fiumicino has restricted the River Tiber between the islet of Tor Boacciana and the Ponte della Scafa from 09:30 on 27 October 2026 until the work ends, while a contractor working for the Marevivo Foundation recovers an abandoned fishing net using the vessel Giove and a crane pontoon. Navigation, anchoring, stopping and fishing are prohibited in the work area except for the recovery vessels and state vessels. Vessels passing close to the work may transit one at a time at reduced speed, with priority to the vessel running with the current, and may not overtake.
La Maddalena 156/2026 — Detonation of wartime ordnance, 28 October 2026 (29 October in reserve) — 2,000 m exclusion zone
The Coast Guard office of La Maddalena has prohibited navigation, stopping, anchoring and any underwater or surface activity within 2,000 metres of 41°10.901′N 009°34.131′E on 28 October 2026, with 29 October held in reserve, between 08:00 and 13:00. The Navy’s explosive ordnance disposal team will destroy wartime ordnance at that position. Vessels near La Maddalena should keep clear of the circle.
Torre del Greco 68/2026 — ‘Trofeo Città di Torre del Greco’ school nautical event, 27 to 31 October 2026 — water areas closed
The Coast Guard office of Torre del Greco has closed two water areas from 27 to 31 October 2026, between 09:30 and 13:00, for a school nautical education event: the basin in front of the Circolo Nautico inside Torre del Greco harbour, and, on Saturday 31 October only, a Dragon Boat rowing regatta course off the coast, marked by yellow buoys. Navigation, anchoring, stopping, diving, fishing and any other marine use are prohibited in those areas.
Santa Margherita Ligure 205/2026 — Sestri Levante — damaged quay edges — three harbour areas closed until made safe
The Coast Guard office of Santa Margherita Ligure has closed three small water areas in Sestri Levante harbour, at the transit quay, the bunker quay and the root of the port, from 26 October 2026 until the work is complete. A joint inspection on 13 October found the quay edges badly deteriorated after this year’s exceptional storm surges. Navigation, transit, stopping, mooring and anchoring are prohibited in the areas, and recreational fishing authorisations on the transit quay are suspended. Vessels using Sestri Levante should keep clear of the closed areas.
Pozzuoli 113/2026 — Bacoli (Torregaveta) — detonation of wartime ordnance, 28 October 2026 (29 October in reserve) — 2 nm exclusion zone
The Coast Guard office of Pozzuoli has closed a circle of 2 nautical miles radius centred on 40°44.988′N 014°06.324′E, off Torregaveta in the municipality of Bacoli, from 09:00 on 28 October 2026 until the operation ends, while the Navy’s explosive ordnance disposal team detonates suspected wartime ordnance. In poor weather the operation moves to 29 October from 09:00. Transit, stopping, mooring, anchoring and all marine activity, including fishing, diving and swimming, are prohibited inside the circle, and vessels passing its edge must proceed slowly at a safe distance.
Southern Italy / Sicily / 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.
Porticello 050/2026 — Tyrrhenian Link West — submarine cable laying and burial, 20 October 2026 to 15 February 2027
The Coast Guard office of Porticello (Santa Flavia) has issued an ordinance for the laying and burial of the Tyrrhenian Link West fibre-optic submarine cable from 20 October 2026 to 15 February 2027. Nexans is carrying out the work with the vessels Nexans Aurora, Nexans Skagerrak and Nordnes, plus small craft inshore in depths of 0 to 20 metres. These vessels are restricted in their ability to manoeuvre. Vessels not involved in the work may not navigate, anchor or stop in the cable corridor, and fishing, diving and swimming are prohibited there. All vessels passing nearby must keep at least 0.5 nautical miles from the working vessels.
Reggio Calabria 93/2026 — ‘1a Regata dello Stretto’ sailing regatta, 31 October and 1 November 2026 — race area closed
The Coast Guard office of Reggio Calabria has closed a circular race area of 0.5 nautical miles diameter, centred on 38°06′50″N 015°38′30″E off the Lungomare Falcomatà, on 31 October and 1 November 2026 from about 09:00 to 17:00, for a regatta of 20 boats. Navigation, anchoring, stopping, diving, swimming, fishing and other marine use are prohibited inside the area. Vessels passing nearby should keep clear and follow instructions from personnel on site.
Augusta 87/2026 — Danger notice — helicopter firing exercises, 27 and 28 October 2026
The Coast Guard office of Augusta has declared an area off south-east Sicily dangerous to transit and stopping for helicopter firing exercises on 27 and 28 October 2026, from 14:00Z to 18:00Z (15:00 to 19:00 local), up to 300 feet above the sea surface. The area lies between 37°15′N and 37°25′N and between 015°35′E and 015°48′E. Vessels near the area should keep a listening watch on VHF channel 16 and follow any signals from personnel on scene.
Trapani 347/2026 — Bonagia — Posidonia seagrass monitoring, 26 October to 25 November 2026
The Coast Guard office of Trapani has issued an ordinance for an environmental survey of Posidonia seagrass off the Tonnara di Bonagia, in Valderice, from 26 October to 25 November 2026. The contractor Geonautics is working for Xenia with divers from the vessel Neptune I, which shows the signals for a vessel restricted in her ability to manoeuvre. Vessels may not approach, stop or anchor within 100 metres of Neptune I while survey work is under way, and no equipment may be placed in the survey area. The ordinance’s prohibitions run from 25 October to 24 November, one day off the notice, so confirm the dates with the Trapani office.
Western Mediterranean
Spain · Mediterranean
These notices are from the Spanish Navy Hydrographic Institute weekly bulletin (Grupo 43/2026, 24 October 2026).
43/279 — Balearic Islands, Port de Sóller — light characteristic changed
The light at Port de Sóller in the Balearic Islands has changed from an isophase light to a directional isophase light, and its height is reduced from 49 to 42 metres. Yachts using the port should update charts and light lists before arrival.
43/278 (T) — South-east coast, Puerto de Marymontaña — port closed to traffic during works
Puerto de Marymontaña is closed to traffic, and its lights are out of service, while the pontoons and quays of the main basin are being remodelled. Yachts should not plan to enter or berth there, and should check with the port for when the works end.
43/277 — South-east coast, Cartagena — buoys removed
Five numbered buoys (numbers 1 to 5) have been removed from the position off Cartagena given in the notice. Yachts should update their charts and not rely on those buoys.
Galicia / Cantabrian Coast
Spain · Galicia & Cantabria
These notices are from the Spanish Navy Hydrographic Institute weekly bulletin (Grupo 43/2026, 24 October 2026).
43/274 — Bay of Biscay, Ría de Ribadeo — nine navigation marks removed
Navigation marks at nine positions in the Ría de Ribadeo have been removed. Vessels entering the ría should update their charts and not rely on the former marks.
43/273 (T) — Bay of Biscay, Ensenada de Avilés — anchorage areas temporarily changed
The existing anchorage areas in the bay of Avilés have temporarily ceased operating, and a new temporary anchorage area applies, defined by five positions in the notice. Yachts should anchor only inside the new area and check the notice for its limits.
Flag State
Marshall Islands
Marine Notice 4-033-4 — Radio message accounting procedures and Accounting Authorities (Rev. Oct/2026)
The Republic of the Marshall Islands Maritime Administrator has revised Marine Notice 4-033-4, which explains the radio message accounting rules for RMI-flagged vessels with ship radio stations. The owner must hold a valid contract with an approved radio service company, which settles all ship-to-shore radio traffic charges as the vessel’s Accounting Authority, and radio charges must be sent to that Accounting Authority only. The revision supersedes Rev. Dec/2023, updates the contact details of the Accounting Authorities and removes GB23, RS01 and SU04 from the Annex 1 list. Owners and masters of RMI-flagged yachts should check that their Accounting Authority is still listed.
Flag State
UK MCA
MGN 721 — Interpretation of references to Marine Equipment Directive approved equipment
The UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency has published Marine Guidance Notice 721 to clarify outdated Marine Equipment Directive (MED) approval references in 12 existing MCA publications, including guidance on radio equipment, liferafts and lifeboat systems. These references must now be interpreted against the applicable UK approval requirements, while equipment previously accepted as EU-approved remains covered by existing provisions. Owners, operators and technical managers of UK-flagged yachts should distinguish between equipment already accepted on board and new or replacement equipment, and make sure procurement and approval checks follow the current UK requirements.
Marine Insurance
Shipowners Club
Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum — Fire drill guidelines for vehicle carrying vessels
On 19 October 2026 the Vehicle Carrier Safety Forum published its third set of industry good practice guidelines, giving a structured framework for planning and conducting fire response drills. The guidance is written for vehicle carriers, but the approach may be a useful reference when reviewing fire drills on board.
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