Do we need a crusing permit for the Egadi Islands?

[Treecle]

We're planning to arrive at the Egadi Islands on Wednesday. I've just found something on cruiserwiki (which I hadn't seen elsewhere) saying that we need to get a permit, and that we can buy it online. Unfortunately, the page is entirely in Italian and while google translate gives the gist fairly well, it falls down on the details.

http://www.ampisoleegadi.it/

The pertinent details are that we are a 10m sailing boat (our SSR says 10.0) and we want to anchor in Zone C.

Here's what google translate says for the simple rules:

- Motor navigation and anchorage in the B zones (Within 500 m from the coast) are allowed only to authorized residents and homeowners in Favignana;

- Non-residents with motorboats (loa <10 m) are allowed only in the B zone of navigation and anchorage Marettimo upon authorization;

- Navigation is allowed in the zones C and the D zone;

- Sailboats are allowed in the B anchorage areas upon authorization;

- In the areas of high environmental value of the C zones, anchorage authorization is needed only for boats with LOA> 10 m;

- In the areas of high environmental value, anchorage is allowed only on property sandy or muddy seabed until the buoy fields enter into operation;

- Sport fishing from the shore or from the boat is allowed to non-residents in the zones C and the D zone only.

 

[BobnLesley]

In the absence of any advice from recent visitors: We were there about four years ago, also mid-week in late June and never saw another boat - to check your permit or lack of same, someone would need to be there.

 

[multihullsailor6]

You do need the permit for being in the Marine Park around the Egadi Islands. I understand they are now checking on it. You might be able to get it at the Coastgard office in Trapani.

 

[CatCouple]

Euros 15 per day for our 14 m Catamaran, did it online . The website is in Italian but i don't speak a word and I managed it ;-)

 

[Roberto]

Euros 15 per day for our 14 m Catamaran, did it online . The website is in Italian but i don't speak a word and I managed it ;-)

I guess you waved your hands in front of the screen?


Enjoy the islands, I went there a long time ago and have very fond memories

r

 

[CatCouple]

UPDATE :

We have just spent 7 nights in the islands. The last one fog bound. It seems the situation is slightly different on arrival than the website suggests. I had a really helpful explanation from the maritime park 'ranger' who visited the boat to check our papers. He accepted the website was very difficult to use even for Italian speakers and suggested foreigners just turn up tie to an orange visitors mooring bouy and the rangers will come and explain the various options to you ( all youngsters who spoke good English and French)

The options for sailboats are authorisation to anchor in zone C only euro 15. Or use of the 140 mooring boys spread through the 3 islands mainly in the more interesting zone B 25 euros per night.

The reality is there are very few safe anchorages in Zone C and overnight not allowed in Zone B unless on visitor bouys. The wind changes direction frequently and fog can be an issue. Given this our decision was to buy a weekly mooring bouy pass for 105 euros ( you pay for 4 and get 3 nights frèe)

We had no difficulty finding a vacant mooring bouy ,even in july/august ,seems most boats are day trippers from sicily who don't stay overnight. Our last night in Marettimo was spent as the only yacht in the bay of ten mooring bouys in August!

So forget the website just turn up, the guys in the maritime park RIBS will be pleased to help you on arrival. Well worth the trip and suggest visiting the Neolithic cave paintings Levanzo. Good provisions from Favagnana (meat fish bread big supermarket and fuel. If winds are against anchoring off the town use a visitor bouy on south side and dinghy into the small fishing harbour at Punta Longa . It's a 10 minute walk (flat) into town.

 

[Treecle]

In contrast, we were there for about 5 days at the end of June. With no luck with the website we decided to play it by ear. We anchored every night, mostly in the vicinity of Punta Longa, and didn't see anyone official the whole time.