🚨 Security upon Arrivals: rules to ensure the show runs smoothly!

While most skippers could complete the race in a few hours, the Prefect of the Guadeloupe Region has issued a decree to determine all safety rules. This is a way to protect everyone who will be going to sea and to preserve the skippers in their final battle.

OFFICIAL COMMUNICATION:

MARITIME REGULATIONS FOR THE ARRIVAL OF COMPETITORS

From Thursday, May 8th until the end of the weekend, Saint-Barthélemy will experience the excitement linked to the arrival of the new edition of the transatlantic race "Transat Paprec", linking Concarneau and Saint-Barthélemy.

To ensure the safety of competitors and spectators, and in view of the danger posed by the concentration of a very large number of vessels, maritime traffic around competing vessels is regulated by prefectural decree 221-2025 of April 30, 2025, in particular by the establishment of a 150-meter exclusion zone. Aerial circulation of drones not accredited by the organizers is also prohibited above competing vessels.

Beyond the resources and measures taken by the organizer of the nautical event, the State will mobilize its own nautical and human resources to ensure compliance with these regulations. Any violations noted will be punished.

This is a safety necessity for both skippers and spectators. The hustle and bustle surrounding race finishes requires special vigilance in respecting the rules set for the occasion. Thus, a 150-meter exclusion zone will be set up around all competitors. It will be ensured by the race management boats. One or two RIBs will be dedicated to the safety of competitors.

For Francis Le Goff, the race director, strict adherence to these rules is not just for safety reasons. "The fleet should be very close together, with the vast majority of skippers being able to finish with less than five hours between them, " he explains. " This requires us to protect the competitors' playing field as much as possible so that they can calmly fight for the overall victory ," he explains. Anyone wishing to watch from the sea is invited to read the rules made public in a decree promulgated by the Prefect of the Guadeloupe Region. This is a way to protect the skippers and spectators and ensure a great party at the finish lines.