For arrival, rules to follow!

The seventeen Figaro Bénéteau boats still in the race are approaching Saint Barthélemy. Race management estimates the first arrivals around midnight. Among the tightly packed fleet are Cindy Brin and Thomas André on Cap Saint-Barth, still battling for victory. Consequently, even more so than in previous editions, it's likely that many boaters and islanders are already impatient to board a boat to accompany the arrival of the skippers, whether they are in first or last place. To this end, the race organizers and the Saint Barth port management are reminding everyone that restricted areas have been defined to ensure safety and the smooth running of the arrivals.

Safety Distance and Channel Bans
First of all, each boater must respect a safety zone, known as an exclusion zone, of 150 meters around the competitors. In addition, all boats will be prohibited from entering the harbor channel during arrivals. To ensure compliance with this rule, the area will be closed fifteen minutes before each arrival.
Boaters are also reminded that under no circumstances should they sail in front of the race boats, and that their pilot must strictly follow the instructions given by the patrol boats throughout the arrival phase.
Other basic rules not to be overlooked: avoid going out alone, constantly monitor surrounding boats, sail at reduced speed, wear life jackets or life vests, check navigation lights for nighttime arrivals, etc. Finally, always keep in mind the number of the maritime rescue units (CROSS) to report any incidents: 16 on the VHF and 196 by telephone.

For Francis Le Goff, the race director, strict compliance with these rules is not only for safety reasons. "The fleet should be very close together, with the vast majority of skippers able to finish within five hours of each other," he explains. "This requires us to protect the competitors' playing field as much as possible so that they can calmly fight for the final victory," he adds. 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.