The Fécamp wind farm, 13 km off the coast, comprises 71 wind turbines. On May 30, 2024, the Préfecture Maritime de la Manche et de la Mer du Nord published a prefectoral decree regulating maritime activities in and around this offshore wind farm. This concerns boating and recreational fishing in particular.
The Préfecture Maritime de la Manche et de la Mer du Nord has defined a reference zone surrounding the wind farm, in which the 71 wind turbines are installed and linked by submarine cables. The 71 wind turbines are arranged in 12 "rows", from row "A" (in the south) to row "L" (in the north). The connection cables for each row converge at the offshore substation, located in the center-east of the wind farm.
Navigation restrictions for "big" boats
In the vicinity of the reference zone, navigation is prohibited:
- less than 2 miles for vessels over 500 UMS ;
- less than 500 metres for unauthorized passenger vessels
- less than 200 meters for vessels of less than 500 SMU but more than 25 meters in overall length.
Within the reference zone, it is forbidden for boats over 25 m to sail, to approach to within 50 m of any wind turbine, even those around the perimeter, to anchor and to engage in any underwater activity.
In addition, in this zone, for all boats authorized to navigate :
- speed is limited to 12 knots
- vHF channel 16 watch is mandatory
- carrying and transmitting an AIS beacon is mandatory
All pleasure craft will have to be fitted with an AIS transponder before sailing close to the wind turbines. A good solution for safety, especially in these busy waters, but not yet compulsory for pleasure craft.
For leisure fishing
Recreational fishing is prohibited in the "inter-wind turbine cable convergence zone" (yellow on the map) and authorized in the "restricted fishing zones", North zone (blue on the map) and South zone" (pink on the map). Will the wind turbine feet attract fish?
