Basic Navigation Rules

What you need to know before setting sail

You must respect these rules at all times, both for your safety and that of others.

General Navigation Rules

  • The use of the boat is only allowed during daylight hours.
  • The boat should be used only in good weather and visibility.
  • The boat may not be used for towing other floating objects, except those used by the Security Forces and by entities dedicated to maritime rescue or in emergencies.
  • It is forbidden to navigate in the areas defined for the celebration of regattas.
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Bathing Areas Rules

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To guarantee the safety of beach users, and especially bathers, the Authorities have established protection zones (bathing areas) on the beach line, generally marked out.

These protection zones will be understood to be located inside a coastal strip, parallel to the coast, 200 meters wide, in which navigation is prohibited or conditioned at a speed of 3 knots where there is no beacon.

The boats will only be able to navigate through this area to access the beach perpendicularly, taking extreme precautions.

The protection zones are:

  • Reserved exclusively for bathers.
  • Forbidden to all nautical sports.

Remember that in duly marked bathing areas, sports and recreational boating is prohibited, as is the use of any type of boat or floating medium powered by sail or motor.

The launching or grounding of boats must be done through duly access channels.

The access channels for windsurfing boards, water skiing, jet skis, sailboats, motor boats, etc., are forbidden areas for swimming and intended to give water sports users access to the beach.

All boats or floating devices, whatever their means of propulsion, that leave or are directed to the beaches, must do so perpendicular to the ground, navigating with caution and always at less than three knots from 200 meters to the coast, or vice versa. If there are marked access channels, these must be used.

Rules for anchoring the boat

  • It is totally prohibited and punishable by law to anchor in areas with oceanic posidonia, that is, the marine plant with elongated green leaves. (You can read our article about posidonia on the MaksyBoats blog).
  • Dropping the anchor in a rocky area can cause it to get hooked, make sure that the depth is enough to be able to dive to release the anchor in case it gets hooked.
  • We recommend launching the anchor on sandy bottoms, with a maximum depth of 3 to 5 meters.
  • Remember that it is forbidden to anchor in the access channels to the ports, coves and beaches (if they are marked), and within the duly marked bathing areas. You must respect these areas at all times, both for your safety and that of others.
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Environmental Rules

It is totally forbidden to throw into the sea:

  • Plastics, glass, drums, packaging and containers.
  • Oils and fuel residues or other hydrocarbons.
  • Oily waters.
  • Food scraps less than 12 miles from shore.

Safety Rules

  • It is forbidden to pilot our boats under the influence of alcohol.
  • Do not approach within 50 meters of another boat (whatever size it is), floating device or diver’s signaling buoy.
  • Try not to navigate alone. Always communicate where you are going and how long you plan to be.
  • If you have problems, do not separate from your boat. Never try to swim to shore.
  • The boat will only be abandoned when it offers fewer guarantees of protection than any other means of survival, and never, if this is possible, without having issued a distress message and adopting the basic preparatory measures for abandonment.
  • You must limit navigation to what is strictly necessary in the following areas: in the access channels to the ports, in the anchorage areas and in the areas with a high concentration of vessels.
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Onboard Precautions

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To avoid falling into the water

  • Move around the boat with the body inclined towards the center of it.
  • Prevent the movements of the ship by watching the sea.
  • Always hold on to solid parts of the boat.
  • Wear shoes with non-slip soles.
  • Avoid doing the physiological needs overboard, and if this is not possible, take the appropriate precautions.
  • Don’t run on deck.

Other Precautions

  • Do not swim on the high seas without witnesses and without the existence of a stopover to get back on board.
  • Do not sleep in the bathtub of the boats if there is no person watching the situation.

In case a person falls into the water

The actions mentioned below are for guidance only. The skipper of the boat must choose, depending on the circumstances, the most convenient for each case.

  • Shout “man overboard”.
  • Stop the engine to stop the propeller turning, if there is a risk that it could injure the castaway.
  • Immediately throw a lifebuoy / life jacket at person.
  • Designate someone so that they do not take their eyes off the castaway at any time.
  • Organize rescue on board.
  • If navigating by motor, carry out the man overboard maneuver that best suits the characteristics of the boat.
  • In general, you should not jump into the water in search of the castaway, especially if you are not wearing your life jacket.
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