A project to regulate anchorages
The Port Cros National Park plans to "regulate" anchorages around Porquerolles by installing buoys. Two main reasons are put forward to justify this action:
- Attack on Posidonia meadows by anchors and chains on moored boats
- Overfrequentation
In this context, he announced that he had organized a wide-ranging consultation. Boaters contest this fact, as they are not invited to these meetings, and ask to be heard.
To find out more about these new provisions, the editorial team contacted the National Park, which manages the project. Unfortunately, we have received no response to date. However, Xavier de la Taille, an active protester, explains here the position of the yachtsmen he represents.
United behind 2 associations
To defend themselves and make themselves heard, the protesters have organized themselves around two associations:
- The Collectif pour la Protection des Mouillages Côtiers en Méditerranée (CPMCM or Collective for the Protection of Coastal Moorings in the Mediterranean)
- Association for the Protection of Mediterranean Coastal Moorings (APMCM)
The Collectif is reserved for advocacy associations that want to work together on actions. The APMCM is an association open to individuals and is a member of the Collectif. The 2 organizations have the same corporate purpose and work together.
Contested points
On the question of seagrass beds, the association has asked for serious studies on this damage. It points out that some scientists speaking on the subject state that the damage to vessels under 24 m is insignificant. Moreover, aerial photos of the supposedly attacked sites taken 30 to 40 years apart show, according to the association, no regression in Posidonia fields. The boaters mobilized therefore remain doubtful.
According to the collective, overcrowding only really exists a few days a year, and of course between July 15 and August 15, when the weather is fine. The mobilized boaters consider it pointless to regulate beyond this period.
Buoy zones
To regulate this, the Porc-Cros National Park has imposed the creation of several ZMELs (zones de mouillage et d'équipements légers), with a system of paying buoys.
The associations are concerned about the safety of those who use the buoys: "The abolition of "inshore shelters", as defined in Division 240, is a cause for concern. As this same division assigns the skipper important responsibilities in terms of the safety of his vessel and crew, it seems essential to leave them free of access in the event of gales or force majeure. An MELZ limits anchoring possibilities. The turning radii between fixed buoys and an anchor are not compatible. Especially if the wind picks up and requires a lot of chain."
The Collectif is now trying to formalize its desiderata in order to present them to the National Park and make its voice heard. Overall, the document will call for sandy areas to be reserved for the free practice of anchoring, in the interests of safety. But above all, to be involved in decisions concerning these anchorage areas.
