The weekly briefing.

Ammunition has been located in the waters of the Thermaikos Gulf within the port of Thessaloniki. Vessels calling at or manoeuvring in this area should exercise extreme caution and coordinate with port authority before approaching the affected zone.

Aeronautical firing exercises are taking place northwest of Lesvos Island in the northeast Aegean Sea. Vessels transiting or anchoring in this area should confirm the active time window and restricted zone with the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service before planning passage.

The Very High Frequency transmission frequency for the Kythira radio station has changed. Update navigation communications records and verify the new working channel before transiting waters covered by this station.

A dangerous object has been reported in the Notios Evoikos Gulf off Porto Rafti. Vessels approaching or anchoring near Porto Rafti should exercise caution and maintain a safe distance from the reported position pending further information from the issuing authority.

A navigation light has been relocated in the Saronikos Gulf in the Strait and Naval Station Salamina Channel. Update chart annotations and approach plans for this area to reflect the new light position.

Submarine cable installation operations are under way in the North Ionian Sea. Vessels transiting this area should maintain clear of the cable-laying vessel and its operational zone, and exercise caution with anchoring to avoid interference with the cable route.

The 'Ydra' firing practice area in the Myrtoo Sea has been activated for live firing exercises. Vessels planning to transit or anchor in the Myrtoo Sea should confirm the current status of this restricted area with the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service before departure.

A navigation light off Limnos Island in the northeastern Aegean Sea has been reported unlit. Update chart annotations for this area and exercise heightened caution on night approaches to Limnos until the light is restored.

New anchor emplacements have been established in the waters off Ios Island in the South Aegean Sea. Update chart records for this anchorage area and review the designated positions before anchoring off Ios.

Firing exercises are taking place in the northwest Cretan Sea off Crete. Vessels intending to transit this area should confirm the active time window and exact boundaries with the Hellenic Navy Hydrographic Service before planning passage.

Navigation, anchoring, and diving around a commercial vessel operating in the western Mediterranean are restricted with effect from 22 March 2026. Vessels in the vicinity should review the order for the designated safety zone and maintain clear of the restricted area for the duration of operations.

A temporary derogation has been granted to the existing prefectural order governing navigation, anchoring, bathing, and diving in the coastal strip off the Nice-Côte d'Azur airport area, covering the communes of Antibes, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Nice, Saint-Laurent-du-Var, and Villeneuve-Loubet. The derogation is in force until 4 April 2026 — vessels operating in this stretch of coastline should read the order to understand the revised permitted activities.

New restrictions on the anchoring of fishing gear, trawling, and the use of trailing gear have been established in the waters off the commune of Sète in the Hérault department. Vessels with trailing equipment or engaged in fishing activities in this area should review the order for the designated restricted zones before approaching this coastline.

Seabed dredging works are authorised in the outer harbour of the tourist port of Rome at Fiumicino on the Tyrrhenian coast. Navigation, fishing, diving, and bathing restrictions apply within the works area — vessels intending to use or approach this port should check with the harbour master's office for the current access conditions before arrival.

Works to restore the beach at the Fundera locality on Ischia have been authorised following the exposure of an electrical cable. Navigation, bathing, and access restrictions apply in the near-shore area — vessels and tenders approaching this part of the Ischia coastline should exercise caution and maintain clear of the works zone.

A submarine is authorised to operate in submerged diving mode in a designated area off Taranto from 30 March to 2 April 2026. Navigation, fishing, diving, and access restrictions apply within the notified zone — vessels must maintain clear of the operational area throughout this period.

A live firing and surface hazard exclusion zone designated T833A is in force off Taranto from 23 to 27 March 2026. Vessels must stay clear of the designated area and its boundaries for the full duration of the exercise period — confirm exact coordinates and active hours with the Taranto harbour master's office before transiting.

A designated water sports training area for aquabike exercises has been established off Castro in the waters of Otranto for multiple dates between 21 March and 12 April 2026. Navigation, diving, fishing, and bathing restrictions apply within the training zone on the relevant exercise dates — vessels and tenders approaching this stretch of the southern Adriatic heel coastline should check the active schedule before arrival.

A sailing competition (Sistiana 89) has been authorised in the Sistiana bays (areas XIII, XIV, and XV) on 23 March 2026. Vessels navigating or anchoring in this part of the Gulf of Trieste on that date should be aware of racing activity and the associated course area.

Barge convoys are authorised to operate in the waters of Porto Nogaro from 1 to 20 April 2026. Vessels navigating the approaches to Porto Nogaro during this period should be aware of slow-moving barge convoys and allow appropriate sea room when passing.

A dedicated training area for jet-ski and aquabike exercises has been established off Rimini in connection with a San Marino sporting event. Navigation, diving, bathing, and access restrictions apply within the designated training zone on the relevant exercise dates — confirm the active schedule with the Rimini harbour master's office before approaching this stretch of coastline.

Extraordinary maintenance works at Pescara Nord have been extended under this ordinance. Navigation, fishing, bathing, and access restrictions continue to apply in the works area — vessels approaching the Pescara port area should check the current status of the restricted zone before manoeuvring.

An oceanographic investigative survey designated PAGES is under way in the channel between Malta and Sicily. Vessels transiting or anchoring in this area should maintain clear of the survey vessel and its operational zone for the duration of the operation.

Notice to Mariners 02/2026, which had advised that the Malta NAVTEX service was temporarily suspended, has been formally cancelled. The NAVTEX service should be treated as available — revert to normal monitoring procedures and confirm the current broadcast schedule with Transport Malta if required.

The Bahamas Maritime Authority has published updated crew accommodation guidance setting out the standards required for crew living spaces on board vessels flying the Bahamas flag. Vessel managers and designated persons ashore should review the notice to ensure accommodation arrangements remain compliant with the Authority's current requirements.

The Bahamas Maritime Authority has issued Maritime Notice 039 consolidating the standards applicable to crew accommodation on Bahamas-flagged vessels. This notice should be read alongside Information Notice 027 and reviewed by vessel managers as part of routine Maritime Labour Convention compliance checks.

The Bahamas Maritime Authority has republished Maritime Notice 031 covering its requirements under the Maritime Labour Convention 2006. Designated persons ashore and vessel managers operating Bahamas-flagged yachts should review the updated notice to confirm that crew welfare, certification, and working hours arrangements remain in full compliance.

The Bahamas Maritime Authority has reissued its trade advisory covering ongoing military operations in the Strait of Hormuz, Persian Gulf, Gulf of Oman, and Arabian Sea. Operators with vessels trading in or transiting these waters should review the advisory for the current risk assessment and the recommended precautionary measures for crew safety and communications.

The Marshall Islands Registry has reissued its incident learning bulletin reinforcing the controls required for safe entry into enclosed spaces on board yachts, including atmosphere testing, rescue standby arrangements, and permit procedures. This is recommended crew briefing material for all vessels regardless of flag state.

Lloyd's Register has published its class news covering the International Association of Classification Societies guidelines on the Human Element in the maritime sector, addressing how human factors should be incorporated into vessel design, operations, and safety management. Vessel managers and safety officers are encouraged to review the guidelines and consider their application to onboard procedures and crew training programmes.

DNV has published guidance drawing on its experience supporting post-fire structural and material assessments across a range of vessel types, noting that fire incidents have increased in frequency particularly among vessels carrying vehicles or cargo. Operators who have experienced a fire event on board should review the guidance to understand the structural integrity assessment process and the steps required before returning a vessel to service.

The American Bureau of Shipping has published an update on its expanding presence and investment in Southeast Asia, highlighting new technical capabilities and the growing demand for classification and certification services across the region as fleet owners accelerate fleet renewal and the adoption of alternative fuels. Operators with vessels classed by the American Bureau of Shipping or considering a class transfer in the Asia-Pacific region may find the update useful context for understanding the society's current service offering and regional priorities.