Mallorca new anchoring law

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prescott56

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Has anyone come across the "new" anchoring law in Mallorca as read in todays Mallorca Daily Bulletin........(http://www.majorcadailybulletin.es/)

"The move comes in the wake of a new law being decreed by the Balearic government which has stopped boats of over 12 metres in length mooring in waters less than 35 metres deep if the sea bed is not purely sandy, so that there is no danger of anchors ripping up the delicate marine grass."...

regards
Roy
 
The Baleares have a controlled system of mooring buoys in the former anchorages. The Posidonia weed is a protected species now, so rich yacht owners have been done down by political environmentalism designed to ensure that we can no longer enjoy the anchorages that have been used by generations of boats, without their anchors destroying this weed's comfortable existence. Apparently it cannot survive in depths greater than 35 metres.

http://www.balearslifeposidonia.eu/index.php
 
Also, be very careful if you anchor on a buoy supposedly fit for your size boat; I rescued a Sailboat which had broken its govmt sponsored buoy on a night with 5 knots of wind. The sea bottom screw was unfit for purpose.

Not much worry for boats over 12 meters though. There are lots of very large sandy patches to hook your Rocna!!:D

Good news: the govmt is so broke, the Guardia Civile cannot leave port due to lack of fuel. Apparently, one marina in the South of the country went bust because Guardia Civile did not pay their fuel bills... they are not getting any of the stuff anywhere now.
 
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This isn't new law, it's old stuff. All the rules and areas are well documented on the Cruising Association site, but that's members only.

In designated Posidonia grass preservation areas, you may only use buoys provided by the government. They're coloured to show what size of boat they may carry. You're meant to book ahead. The "book ahead" rules apply (faulty memory here, so check) from June. In practice, if there's a buoy, try it on. You may be moved on if the Costas, who patrol the areas, find you hooked up without a booking when a booking is due to arrive. I'm not sure if the buoys provide for over 12m boats. Someone will put us right here!

Over 12m you can anchor in the areas if you drop your hook in plain sand (easy to see) or in greater than 35m (where grass don't grow; and anchors rarely hold in big winds unless you've got over 100m of chain!)

Studland bay sailors are groaning like hell about how their favourite anchorage being faced by similar legislation. But hey, you've got to think of the sea horses, eh? Or the clams and scallops off the Isla Cies in Galicia?

Too many sailors dropping hooks, that's the problem. They should be culled, like the stags in Scotland.
 
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OK, I read that it meant all anchorages not just the posidean ones.....
which when we used them 2-3 years ago were excellent.
Now in Greece so plenty freedom here.
regards
Roy
 
You will of course be expected to pay for using the buoys in what used to be public anchorages, as you have to pay to use previously public quays.

Buoys will be bookable as before via the website www.balearslifeposidonia.eu from 20 days prior to the date required up to 1900 hours the day before. A charge will be made of 10€/day for up to 8mtrs LOA (Red buoys) and 20€/day for 8 to 15 mtrs (White buoys) (Maximum length allowed), for a maximum of two days. Patrol boats will be active as follows - Mallorca 3, Menorca 2, Formentera 2 and Ibiza 1.
Click to expand...
 
Did Mallorca, was very busy crowded and expensive! You could anchor there but it always seemed to be the sea set into every bay. No matter what the direction of the wind. I like the eastern meddy much more.
 
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