Posidonia oceanica is one of the most widespread seagrass species. Known as the ‘lung of the Mediterranean’, it is a vital source of oxygen to coastal waters and houses numerous species of fish.
Unfortunately, anchoring has a huge impact on seagrass meadows. When a deadweight anchor or mooring is dropped, Posidonia is severely damaged.
Find out more about Posidonia seagrass and its importance.
As part of the ongoing efforts to protect the Posidonia seagrass around the French coast, the decision has been made to install mooring buoys for superyachts in key areas around the South of France and Corsica to minimise damaging anchoring.
There are currently six mooring buoys located across the French Riviera in Cannes, Antibes and Beaulieu-sur-Mer operated by DONIA. Permission has been granted for a further nine buoys in these areas and they are currently in the planning and production process. This means there will eventually be a total of 15 mooring buoys.
Details of the locations of the six current buoys can be found below:
DONIA has developed an innovative mobile app that allows captains of vessels between 24 and 70 metres (79 and 230 feet) to book their mooring buoys. Booking the buoys can be completed in four simple steps:
A percentage of the funds generated from mooring buoy bookings will go to REPIC, an experimental programme for the restoration of Posidonia meadows in France. The objective of the REPIC project is to replant Posidonia which has been degraded by anchoring.
When you come to use your pre-booked buoy, you must unlock the buoy via the DONIA app, and lock it again prior to leaving.
Follow the simple instructions below when using your mooring buoy:
The DONIA mooring buoys are designed for anchoring in good weather. They can withstand a load of 10 tonnes, which is the stress exerted by a 70m yacht in a 50km/h wind.
There are 14 mooring buoys located in the bay of Sant’Amanza, Corsica, each attached to an eco-designed concrete box with hydraulic transparency.
Of the buoys, 12 are available to book for yachts between 24m and 40m (78ft and 131ft) and the other two are for yachts between 24m and 60m (78ft and 196ft).
The buoys are designed to accommodate yachts in all wind conditions and seas of up to 1m (3.2ft).
The mooring buoys of Sant’Amanza are available to use during the Mediterranean yachting season between 1st June and 13th September 2023. Managed by the Bonifacio Marina, they can be booked by emailing the marina directly at [email protected].
Want to find out more about how you can protect Posidonia seagrass? Read our specialist articles.
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