A judicial first in the yachting sector
On Wednesday June 12, 2025, the courts handed down an unprecedented decision: the Marseille-based company Levantin, operator of the charter catamaran E-Colorato, was convicted of anchoring in two prohibited areas within the Parc National des Calanques. The offences date back to July 2021 and April 2022, and concern anchorages near the Riou and Plane islands, in areas classified for the protection of Posidonia meadows.
This Mediterranean endemic plant plays a crucial role in stabilizing the seabed, oxygenating the water and providing shelter for biodiversity. Its degradation is considered a major environmental loss.
A fine and damages for ecosystem destruction
The court imposed a suspended fine of 50,000 euros on the company. In addition, the company was ordered to pay 49,040 euros in damages to the Parc National des Calanques, as well as several thousand euros to three environmental protection associations: France Nature Environnement, Surfrider Foundation and the Ligue pour la protection des oiseaux.
The investigation, carried out with the support of the French Office for Biodiversity, was based on field observations and a precise reconstruction of the vessel's trajectories and GPS positions.
Commercial pressure and ignorance of the rules
During the hearing, the catamaran's skippers admitted having knowingly anchored in these prohibited areas, citing strong commercial pressure to satisfy passengers. They did, however, admit to being aware of the restrictions in force. Levantin, which has been in liquidation since January 2024, had already been struck off the list of operators authorized to operate in the waters of the national park in 2023.
This case highlights a recurring tension between the commercial logic of professional boating and the imperatives of preserving sensitive areas. It also serves as a reminder of the obligation for all professional sailors to be fully informed of the anchoring and navigation rules in force in protected areas.
Case law for professional yachting?
The ruling by the Marseilles judicial court sets a precedent: this is the first time in France that a commercial operator has been held criminally and financially liable for ecological damage caused by prohibited anchoring. This decision could serve as a benchmark for other marine parks faced with similar offences.
It also underlines the tougher enforcement of environmental regulations in the Mediterranean, and the increased vigilance of the authorities in the face of tourist pressure and the multiplication of uses on the coast.
The conviction of the Levantin company marks a turning point for professional practices in marine protected areas. It reminds nautical operators of their duty to set an example, at a time when the fragility of coastal ecosystems calls for even greater rigor. For managers of marine areas, this decision offers an additional legal tool for the sustainable protection of habitats as essential as Posidonia meadows.
