Can anybody explain the Spanish Med sailing zones?

[Killter]

Hi Everyone.


Can anyone explain how the sailing zones work regarding sailing from the coast (Denia) to Ibiza?

There are 7 zones. How do I know if a boat is legally allowed to sail this distance (I am not talking about sailing qualifications). I am looking to buy a boat but most adverts dont say what distance from the coast they are regulated for.

From what I can gather, most boats of around 8-10m have a legal distance to 12NM from shore, category C.

So when I am looking at an advert, how do I know if it can sail to Ibiza from Denia?


Thank you!



Categoría de diseñoDenominaciónDistancia máxima A Oceánica Ilimitada B Alta mar 60 millas C Aguas costeras 12 millas DAguas protegidasAguas interiores

[Franziska]

These are design categories from the European legislation which used to be called recreational craft directive. Not sure if it still called that way.
Usually manufacturers of European boats are required to self certify that they comply with the relevant chapters of this regulation:

Categoría de diseñoDenominaciónDistancia máxima

A = Offshore unlimited
Oceánica Ilimitada
B = High Seas up to 60nm from shore
Alta mar 60 millas
C = Coastal, up to 12nm from shore
Aguas costeras 12 millas
D = Inshore, protected waters.
Aguas protegidasAguas interiores

These design categories stipulate requirements from stability, free board, hatch sizes and much more, as well as equipment recommendations.

This concerns primarily the manufacturer.
In some countries you face fairly strict regulations as how far offshore you can really take a vessel flying their flag. France is one of them (for example you have to have a lifreaft if more than 6nm offshore on a French registered = flagged yacht. Not sure about Spain. Others, like Germany and, afaik Norway are a bit more liberal.

Still, insurences might not like it if you have an accident in a vessel outside its designated limits or they may decide not to insure you.

[Killter]

Thank you for the info.


Any idea how I find the CE rating for each boat I am interested in?


Do I have to contact the seller or manufacturer directly each time, or is there an easier way?


Thanks!

[boatman61]

It can sail that distance quite easily, the categories exist to protect manufacturers from the 'recklessness' of individual owners..
Just Google CE rating for xxx..

[goboatingnow]

Originally Posted by Killter

Thank you for the info.


Any idea how I find the CE rating for each boat I am interested in?


Do I have to contact the seller or manufacturer directly each time, or is there an easier way?


Thanks!

Almost all sailing boats over 30 feet will be A rated but there’s no central register , you have to research each brand.

Note that the RCD never intended the category designation to be used as a sea area limit, but some national authorities have implemented that.

To my knowledge insurances companies don’t worry about RCD ratings as almost everything sail is A rated.

[Killter]

Thanks guys.


I was about to buy an 8m with a CE rating of C (Coastal sailing, max 12NM). I turned it down, as I would like to eventually sail from Denia to Ibiza, when I get to know the ropes. Was I mistaken? Can a boat of this rating legally sail this distance?


I appreciate the help. Thank you.

[sailormed]

“Can a boat of this rating legally sail this distance?“ No, Denia to Ibiza is more then 50Nm.

[boatman61]

Of course you can.. the C rating is a minimum build standard not a maritime regulated standard.
I would be curious to hear of any prosecutions of people who have sailed C or B rated boats beyond their build limits.

[Killter]

Originally Posted by sailormed

“Can a boat of this rating legally sail this distance?“ No, Denia to Ibiza is more then 50Nm.

This is what I thought.

Thanks!

[Killter]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Of course you can.. the C rating is a minimum build standard not a maritime regulated standard.
I would be curious to hear of any prosecutions of people who have sailed C or B rated boats beyond their build limits.

I think it is an on the spot fine, instead of a full prosecution.

And insurance not covering etc

[boatman61]

Well I sailed a boat from Malta to Portugal that was certified by a surveyor as a 60nm limit and had no problems whatsoever.. not one question all the way.
As for insurance I only go Liability.
Nowhere can I find penalties for what you claim on the Net.. all it covers is build standards, the forces the boat is designed to withstand, nothing about legal limitations.

[KompetentKrew]

Originally Posted by sailormed

“Can a boat of this rating legally sail this distance?“ No, Denia to Ibiza is more then 50Nm.

This isn't necessarily the case - I think it depends on where you're resident / what flag the boat is under.

The UK makes no restriction on what boat you sail where, so you could legally sail the CE C-rating boat anywhere you like (Denia to Ibiza or wherever) if it was on the UK registry.

If I recollect some countries restrict their residents, and may not permit them to use foreign registries in this way.

You'd be better off posting examples of the kinds of boats you're looking at OP, perhaps starting a new thread.

[boatman61]

Originally Posted by KompetentKrew

This isn't necessarily the case - I think it depends on where you're resident / what flag the boat is under.

The UK makes no restriction on what boat you sail where, so you could legally sail the CE C-rating boat anywhere you like (Denia to Ibiza or wherever) if it was on the UK registry.

If I recollect some countries restrict their residents, and may not permit them to use foreign registries in this way.

You'd be better off posting examples of the kinds of boats you're looking at OP, perhaps starting a new thread.

Portugal is one of these which is why I have always flagged my boats UK.
Sailed a Hurley 22 from Brixham UK nonstop to Viviero, N Spain in December through constant gales and big seas, then on to Figuera da Foz, Portugal.
Sold it to a Português guy who Flagged it in Portugal, he is restricted to 3nm from the harbour.

[PippaB]

I believe the answer, ambiguous as it is, is in Real Decreto 339/2021, particularly Article 3, Items 3-5:

3. Las embarcaciones de recreo con marcado CE estarán facultadas para navegar por las zonas de navegación correspondientes a su categoría de diseño, en función del equipo de seguridad y de prevención de la contaminación a bordo, de acuerdo con lo siguiente:

a) Categoría de diseño A: Zonas 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 y 7.

b) Categoría de diseño B: Zonas 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 y 7.

c) Categoría de diseño C: Zonas 4, 5, 6 y 7.

d) Categoría de diseño D: Zona 7.

4. Las embarcaciones de recreo sin marcado CE estarán facultadas para navegar en su zona de navegación asignada, en función del equipo de seguridad y de prevención de la contaminación a bordo.

5. Las embarcaciones de recreo no navegarán en situaciones de olas y viento superiores a las de su diseño.

For an automated English translation (so some nuance may be lost, particularly in things legal):

Recreational vessels with CE marking will be authorized to navigate the navigation areas corresponding to their design category, depending on the safety and pollution prevention equipment on board, in accordance with the following:

a) Design category A: Zones 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

b) Design category B: Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

c) Design category C: Zones 4, 5, 6 and 7.

d) Design category D: Zone 7.

4. Recreational vessels without CE marking will be authorized to navigate in their assigned navigation area, depending on the safety and pollution prevention equipment on board.

5. Pleasure boats will not sail in situations of waves and winds greater than those of their design.

What this doesn't define is "facultadas/authorized (or empowered, enabled)" or any specific penalties. The OP would be better off buying a non-CE boat, then the law is pretty clear - you have to have the required safety gear for the zone of navigation. Alternately, as mentioned above, don't flag it in Spain. International law says that vessels must meet the safety requirements of the flag country - witness what happened in NZ when they tried to apply Category 1 rules to foreign flagged vessels.

The OP's specified voyage is Denia to Ibiza, the shortest distance from land to land on that voyage is 46 nautical miles, that means the maximum distance offshore will be 23 nautical miles. The puts the trip squarely in navigation zone 3 and an A or B-rated CE-marked boat will qualify (as long as it has the zone 3 safety gear on board). The same would be true if an authority decided on a zone 2 designation, the whole trip is easily within the 60-mile limit.

[Franziska]

Originally Posted by boatman61

Of course you can.. the C rating is a minimum build standard not a maritime regulated standard.

I would be curious to hear of any prosecutions of people who have sailed C or B rated boats beyond their build limits.

I'm in line with Boatie here.
As stated in my previous post it is a minimum design and built standart.

The aim is setting guidelines for builders and designers to adhere to as well as a minimum seaworthiness of the resulting products within the products range of navigation.

Enforced legislation for the end user is based on each countries own set of rules which is in turn within the scope of EU legislation.

Some countries have made use of part of the design and built standards as a base for their own set of safety rules.
It is these rules which are enforceable towards the end user.