The APB establishes two different navigation channels in the port of La Savina to improve safety when entering and leaving the port
The ordinance provides for penalties for breaches as soon as it enters into force following its publication in the Official State Gazette
La Savina
16/05/2025
The Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB) has established the separation of the navigation channel in La Savina with the aim of increasing the safety and fluidity of maritime traffic entering and leaving the port. This measure, supported by technical studies and real-time testing, aims to reduce the risk of incidents arising from the increasing traffic of ships and recreational craft.
The Board of Management of the APB recently approved an ordinance which will regulate the procedure for entering and leaving the port, which will come into force as soon as it is published in the Official State Gazette (BOE). After that date, any breach may result in penalties.
The new system establishes two navigation channels. A main channelsituated to the northfor all vessels and craft of 24 metres in length and over, or 6 metres in beam, or 2 metres in draught. The secondary channel, located to the south, is reserved for recreational, fishing and other vessels that do not meet the criteria of the main channel.
The APB Chairman, Javier Sanz, stated that in this way the port body "reaffirms its commitment to maritime safety and the optimisation of maritime traffic in the port", stressing "that this separation will contribute to a more efficient and orderly navigation in the port of La Savina".
Beacon signalling
To mark the channels, four yellow buoys numbered 1 to 4 have been deployed in the direction of the entrance to the port and a beacon with red flashes at the end of the jetty where the passenger vessels dock. These marks will serve to demarcate the channels.
Both channels will be two-way and must be navigated in the right half in the forward direction. However, exceptions are provided for when the berthing destination requires it, thereby minimising the time to cross the opposite channel.
Likewise, the maximum speed of vessels or boats during manoeuvres into and out of the port of La Savina will remain limited to 15 or 6 knots, depending on whether they are located to the north or south respectively of the port's outer breakwater.
Restricted anchoring
Furthermore, in order to guarantee safe navigation, it is forbidden to anchor ships, vessels or naval artifacts in both channels without the express authorisation of the APB, except in cases of force majeure or danger to human life at sea.
The obligation to use the separate channels has come into force with the installation of the buoys. However, the system of penalties associated with this regulation will not be applied until the publication of the corresponding port ordinance in the BOE (Official State Gazette).
