Closure of Hercule and Fontvieille ports due to large debris

©Direction de la Communication / Michael Alesi

Due to a large amount of debris entering the sea from rivers inland, a decision was taken during the late morning to close the channels of Port Hercule and Port Fontvieille.

The operation was led by the Department of Maritime Affairs with valuable support from the Marine and Airport Police Division, Monaco’s Fire and Emergency Service and the Port Authority (SEPM).

The installation of the barrier will not prevent safety boats (the Government’s maritime equipment), commercial boats or boats which have planned to make a port of call at one of the two ports from entering. In each of these scenarios, the barrier will be partially opened for the individual vessel.

The ports will remain in this situation until levels of debris in the water return to normal.

It should be noted that large volumes of debris have already entered the two ports overnight and SEPM is working to remove this waste.

The Department of Maritime Affairs also made available its latest vessel, the VITAMAR III, to remove large pieces of dead wood which could threaten the safety of vessels operating in the vicinity of the ports.