Posidonia oceanica is a marine plant with flowers and fruits, exclusive to the Mediterranean Sea. It develops into large tracts in the form of meadows and has very slow growth. It is of fundamental importance in the Mediterranean marine ecosystem and its main functions are to protect the sandy coastline against erosion and to maintain the crystal clear waters that we like so much. They are a biodiversity reserve because they inhabit a large number of animal and plant species, which find within the habitat a place of feeding and protection.They also produce much of the sediment that is part of the sand of our beaches.
Before sailing
It is advisable to organize our navigation route to choose the best areas to anchor. You can request information in the ports about the location of the meadows or search it online. In some areas anchoring is prohibited and it is necessary to reserve mooring in advance on buoys, thus avoiding the deterioration of the seabed by the use of anchors. Pay special attention if it is already known in advance that the place where anchoring is planned is a protected nature reserve (such as the Medas Islands, the Delta de l'Ebre, the Cabrera Archipelago, etc.).
Before anchoring
When we are approaching the destination we must prepare the manoeuvre well in advance to reduce the easily avoidable risks. Foresee what kind of background we will find (meadow, algae, mud, sand, stone), weather conditions, depth and legislation in the area.
We must choose a site that is sheltered from the current wind and the one we anticipate we may have in the next few hours. We must identify the type of bottom that there is (sand is the optimal choice), take into account the draught of our boat and give enough chain to the bottom to avoid clubbing. Another point to keep in mind, especially in high season, is to make sure that there is enough room for our boat to be able to gush safely and not crash into another boat or danger that we have nearby.
Tip: you have to release at least twice as much chain as the probe we have at that time. To choose a good anchorage point you can throw the anchor in the stern of the boat that we have closer, thus avoiding possible collisions.
At anchor
Constant vigilance is required to avoid problems with changes in wind direction or intensity. We must also monitor the distance to dangerous points around us such as other ships or rocks.
Very important
Above all, we will not get tired of remembering it, never anchor on the posidonia, always on sand or moored in a buoy indicated for that use (reserved in advance if necessary). Not only because it respects the ecosystem but also because of the economic sanction it entails and the guarantees of anchorage in respect of a sand area.
In summary
• Moor on the mooring buoys indicated.
• If this is not possible, anchor on a sandy area.
• Investigate beforehand if prior reservation of the anchoring buoys is required.