LAWS AND REGULATIONS APPERTAINING TO NAVIGATION

M h *e. in the interests o f safety of shipping, the United Kingdom Hydrographic Office makes every endeavour to include in its
ic publications details of the laws and regulations of alt countries appertaining to navigation, it must be clearly

a ~ a t no liability whatever can be accepted for failure to publish details o f any particular law or regulation, and

~a t publication of details of a law or regulation is solely for the safety and convenience o f shipping and implies no
recognition o f the international validity of the law or regulation.

MEDITERRANEAN PILOT
VOLUME 5
CHAPTER 1
COUNTRIES, NAVIGATION AND REGULATIONS
NATURAL CONDITIONS

COUNTRIES, NAVIGATION AND REGULATIONS

LIMITS OF THE BOOK Lat N Long E
Thence ESE to Akra Kastellos, 35°24' 27°08'
the S point of Nisos Karpathos,
Area covered excluding the passage between
1.1 N isos Kasos and N isos
This volume contains Sailing Directions for the E Karpathos
cart of the Mediterranean Sea within the following
imrts: T he nce NE th ro u g h N isos 35°28' 27°14’
Karpathos to Akra Volakas
Lat N Long E
Thence NE to Akra Prasson, the 35°53' 27°45'
From Ra’s Ajdir 33°10' 11°34'
SW p o in t of N isos Rodos,
NNE to 34°00' 12°00' excluding Steno Karpathou
Thence E to 34°00' 18=22' Thence NE along the spine of 36°23’ 28°15'
Nisos Rodos to Akra Voudi, the E
Thence N to 37°45' 18°22'
point of Nisos Rodos
Thence ESE to 36°10' 22°15'
Thence ESE to 36°20' 28°23'
Thence S to 35°30' 22°15'
Thence N to 36°43' 28°23'
Thence ESE to 35°05' 23°20'
Thence WNW to Kadirga Burnu, 36°44' 28°18r
Thence NE to Akra Krios 35°14' 23°35' excluding Rhodes Channel and
Thence E along the spine of 35°02' 26°14' approaches
Nisos Kriti to Akra Trachilas, the Thence E and S within the coast 31°16' 32°19'
SE point of Nisos Kriti of Turkey, S within the coast of
Thence ENE to Akra Chelathros, 35°20' 26°53' Syria, SSW within the coasts of
the S point of Nisos Kasos, Lebanon and Israel, and W within
excluding Steno Kasou the coast of Egypt to Port Said
(Bur Sa'Td), excluding Suez Canal
Thence NE along the spine of 35°26' 27°01'
Nisos Kasos to Akra Aktis, the Thence W within the coasts of 33°10' 11°34'
NE point of Nisos Kasos Egypt and Libya to Ra’s Ajdir
 CHAPTER 1

COUNTRY INFORMATION Ipiros, formerly Epirus, in the W and extending to

the Albanian border.
National Limits Thessalia, formerly Thessaly, in the E.
1.2 3 Makedonia, formerly Macedonia, in the N and
1 See Annual Summary o f ADMIRALTY Notices to extending to the Albanian, Macedonian and
Mariners No 12 for full details. Bulgarian borders.
Thraki, formerly Western Thrace, bordered on the
Standard times N by Bulgaria and on the E by Turkey.
1.3 4 About one fifth of the total area of Greece consists
1 All times are quoted as UTC unless otherwise of more than 1400 islands, of which about 170 are
stated. Standard time zones and the decreed Legal inhabited, lying in the Ionian and Aegean Seas. The
Time in each territory covered by this volume are principal islands and island groups are as follows:
given in A D M IR A L T Y L is t o f R adio S ig n a ls lonioi Nisoi, which lie in the Ionian Sea off the W
Volume 2(2). coast of Greece.
5 Nisos Kriti (4.3), generally referred to as Kriti
Libya and formerly known as Crete, the largest of
the islands, which forms the S limit of the
General information
Aegean Sea. Due to its position, fertility and
1.4
population, Kriti is one of the most important
1 Libya or LTbiya, form erly known as Socialist
islands in the E Mediterranean. Irakleion
Peoples’ Libyan Arab Jamahiriya or SPLAJ, lies
(35°21’-00N 25°09'-00E) is the administrative
between Tunisia and Egypt. The country has an
and commercial centre of the island.
estimated area of 1 759 540 sq km, and a coast about
6 Kiklades Nisoi, commonly called The Cyclades,
1100 miles in length between its W and E boundaries.
which lie in the central part of the S Aegean.
2 The country is divided into the provinces of
Dodekanisos, commonly called The Dodecanese
Tripolitania, in the NW, Cyrenaica, in the NE, Fezzan,
and som etim es known as the Southern
in the SW, and Kufra Oasis, in the SE.
Sporadhes, which mostly lie in the E part of
Jarabulus (Tripoli) (32°54'-00N 13°11 -00E) (2.51) is
the S Aegean. The group includes Nisos
the capital of the country, and BanghazT (Benghazi)
Kasos (4.85), Nisos Karpathos (4.85), Nisos
(32°07-00N 20°03' 00E) is the second city.
Rodos (4.92) and Nisos Megisti (Kastellorizon)
Languages (5.83).
1.5 7 Nisoi Vorioi Sporades, commonly known as the
1 Arabic is the official language. Northern Sporadhes, a group lying NE of
Nisos Evvoia.
Egypt Eastern Sporadhes, which lie in the E part of the
N Aegean.
General information
Languages
1.6
1.9
1 Egypt, officially called the Arab Republic of Egypt
1 Greek is the official language of the country. The
and known to the Egyptians as Mi§r, lies between
modern language contains many features of classical
Libya and Israel and extends S to the parallel of
Greek which has existed for 3000 years.
22°N. The total area of the country is 997 739 sq km,
2 In the nineteenth century a form of Greek known as
but the cultivated and settled area comprising the Nile
Katharevousa was devised to purify the language and
valley, delta and oases covers only 35 189 sq km.
return it to a form nearer to that of the ancient dialect
Al Qahira (Cairo) (30°00'00N 31°20' 00E) is the
from which it developed. However, Katharevousa
capital city.
never became widely established and in 1976 it was
Languages abolished as a language of university instruction and
1.7 government. The form of present day spoken Greek,
1 Arabic is the official language of the country. which has become the language of modern literature,
English and, to a lesser extent, French are also is generally termed Demotikf.
spoken. 3 Apart from Greek, the languages most commonly
understood are English, French and Italian.
Greece Turkey
General information General information
1.8 1.10
1 Greece, known to the Greeks as Ellas, is bounded 1 Turkey, known to the Turks as Turkiye, is bounded
on the N by Albania, Republic of Macedonia and on the W by the Aegean Sea, on the NW by Greece
Bulgaria; on the E by Turkey and the Aegean Sea; on and Bulgaria, on the N by the Black Sea, on the NE
the S by the E part of the Mediterranean Sea; and on by Georgia and Armenia, on the E by Azerbaijan and
the W by the Ionian Sea. Iran, and on the S by Iraq, Syria and the E part of
Athinai (Athens) (38°00'00N 23°45'00E) is the the Mediterranean Sea. The country lies partly in Asia
capital of the country. and partly in Europe, the two parts being separated
The Greek mainland comprises the follow ing by the straits connecting the Aegean and Black Seas.
regions: The Asian part is called Anadolu, formerly Anatolia or
Peloponnisos, formerly known as Morea, a large Asia Minor; the European part, which comprises only
peninsula connected to the rest of the 3% of the land area of the country, is called Trakya,
mainland by an isthmus 4 miles in width. formerly Eastern Thrace.
2 Central Greece, which extends from the Ionian 2 Ankara (39°57'-00N 32°54'-00E) is the capital of the
Sea to the Aegean Sea and includes Nisos country, and istanbul (41°01'-00N 28°58' 00E), formerly
Evvoia. Constantinople, is the largest city.
 CHAPTER 1

Languages NAVIGATIONAL DANGERS AND HAZARDS

1.11
Turkish is the official language of the country.
English, which is taught extensively, is mostly used
Ocean Data Acquisition System (ODAS)
1.20
commercially. German or French are known by many
1 ODAS buoys (special) may be encountered within
technicians and professional people.
the area covered by this volume. These buoy
Cyprus systems, which vary considerably in size, are used for
environmental research purposes; they are marked
General information “ODAS” with an identification number. The large
1.12 systems should be given a clearance of at least 1 mile
Cyprus, situated in the NE part of the E basin of and, in the case of vessels towing underwater gear,
n e Mediterranean, is an island with an area of about this distance should be increased to 2 1/2 miles.
3572 square miles. Nicosia (35°10'00N 33°21'-00E) is 2 As the buoys have no navigational significance, and
the capital of the island. as they are liable to be moved or withdrawn at short
notice, they are not normally mentioned in the text of
Languages the book.
1.13
See The Mariner's Handbook for further details.
Greek and Turkish are the official languages.
English is widely understood, especially in commercial
circles. TRAFFIC AND OPERATIONS
Syria
General information Fishing
1.14 Tunny
Syria, known to the Syrians as Suriyah, has a total 1.21
area of 71 500 square miles. It is bounded on the N 1 During certain seasons of the year large fishing
by Turkey, on the E by Iraq, on the S by Jordan and nets, known as madragues or tonnara, are moored in
Israel, and on the W by Lebanon and Mediterranean places off the coast of Libya for the purpose of
Sea. The coastline extends from Kassab Bay catching tunny fish. The nets, which should be
35a56'00N 35°55' 00E) to the mouth of Nahr al avoided, may be found as many as 5 miles or more
KabTr, 78 miles S. offshore.
Damascus (33°30'-00N 36°18'00E), one of the 2 Tunny fisheries are marked by the shapes and
oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, is the lights (diagram 1.21) shown from boats or floats
capital of the country. moored seaward of the central outer portion of the
main nets or the return, whichever extends farther, at
Languages a height of at least 5 m above the sea.
1.15
Arabic is the official language of the country, Day Night
spoken by 80% of the population, while 6% speak
Kurdish, 3% Armenian and 2% other languages.
English is widely understood, and French is spoken by
some.

Lebanon o o
General information (at least 2m apart) (visible at least 2 miles)
1.16
Lebanon, known to the Lebanese as Loubane, has Tunny fisheries - signals (1.21)
an area of about 4036 square miles. It is bounded N
and E by Syria, S by Israel, and W by Mediterranean 3 Tunny nets which do not extend more than
1 1/2cables from the coast, and which are not placed in
Beyrouth (Beirut) (33°54'-00N 35°31'00E) (7.122) is a position traversed or frequently anchored in by
me capital of the country. shipping, are exempt from showing the prescribed
night signals.
Languages
4 Off the coast of Tripolitania (1.4) practical difficulties
1.17
may temporarily prevent the proper marking of tunny
Arabic is the official language. English and French
fisheries and may affect their dimensions and position.
are widely spoken in official and commercial circles.
Generally, such fisheries are allotted an extent of
water measuring about 3 miles on its front, 51/2 miles
Israel
on its W side and 5 cables on its E side. When these
General information nets are laid out, in order to avoid the possibility of
1.18 fouling them, vessels should keep at least 6 miles
Israel, known to the Israelis as Yisra'el, is bounded from the coast and exercise great caution when
N by Lebanon, NE by Syria, E by Jordan, SW by entering or leaving a port.
Egypt, and W by Mediterranean Sea. In 1998 the area
of the country, including the Golan Heights and E
Marine farms
1.22
Jerusalem, had an area of 21 946 sq km.
1 Marine farming equipment may be encountered in
Languages many of the bays and inlets in the area covered by
1.19 this volume. They may also be found up to several
The official languages of the country are Flebrew miles offshore. The approximate position of known
and Arabic. farms is shown on the charts; however, development
 CHAPTER 1

has been rapid and marine farms can be quickly ADMIRALTY charts
established or moved without any warning. Marine
farms, which may be fixed or floating structures, are
General information
1.28
usually fixed to the seabed by a spread of anchors
1 ADMIRALTY charts covering the area of this
which can be extensive. The position of anchors,
volume are adequate for use on passage and for
where used, may be marked by buoys.
entering the principal ports and harbours.
2 Caution. Mariners are cautioned to avoid areas of
2 Charts of Greek and Turkish coastal waters have
marine farms, and to note that their presence has
been compiled mainly from Greek and Turkish
rendered many hitherto accepted anchorages either
government charts and from earlier British surveys. In
unsuitable or limited in swinging space.
other areas the charted information has been derived
from British surveys, French, Italian, United States,
Exercise areas Israeli and Egyptian government charts, and other
1.23 sources. When assessing the degree of reliability of a
1 Naval exercises and firing practices take place from chart, mariners should take account of the age of its
tim e to tim e in certain areas. The areas are source material and its date of publication.
mentioned in the relevant geographical chapters.
W arnings of firing practices and exercises are Foreign charts
promulgated either by local notices to mariners, coast
radio stations, or both. Publishing authorities
For general information on such areas see Annual 1.29
Notice to Mariners No 5. 1 For certain smaller ports and/or navigational areas
where coverage by ADMIRALTY charts is considered
inadequate, or it is a requirement to carry foreign
Submarine exercises government charts of the area, foreign charts have
1.24
been used to compile the Sailing Directions. They will
1 Submarines may exercise in the area covered by
normally be of a larger scale and will have been used
this volume. Notice of exercises is given only in
to write the Sailing Directions on the assumption that
exceptional circumstances and therefore all vessels
mariners wishing to navigate in these areas will have
should keep a good lookout for submarines.
provided themselves with suitable charts on which to
The Mariner's Handbook gives general information
do so.
on the characteristics of submarines and visual signals
used to denote their presence.
Names

Marine exploitation General information

1.30
Oil and gasfields 1 Names of features used throughout this volume
1.25 have been provided to aid identification of the feature.
1 Oil rigs and platforms may be encountered off the It may be noticed that, on occasions, they differ from
coasts of Libya, Egypt and Israel. Production platforms the ENC.
and associated structures including tanker moorings,
Greek orthography
storage tankers and platforms on pipelines, generally
1.31
exhibit morse (U) lights, aircraft obstruction lights and
1 The names on Greek charts published prior to 1985
sound fog signals. These installations are usually
were given in Katharevousa, but on Greek charts
protected by safety zones which may extend up to
dated after 1985 names may be found in either
500 m from their outer edges.
Katharevousa or Demotiki (see Languages at 1.9).
2 Vessels must be navigated with caution when
Where names in Demotiki are available they have
passing close to offshore installations and structures.
been transliterated into Roman letters and used in this
volume, and, as opportunity offers, will be included on
Pipelines
ADMIRALTY charts.
1.26
2 A further complication is introduced by the fact that
1 See 1.50.
in accordance with international agreement a revised
system of transliteration (ELOT 743) has been
CHARTS adopted for use with Greek geographical names, and
ADMIRALTY charts and publications are incorporating
the resulting changes as opportunity provides.
Positions 3 As a result of these ongoing changes, there may
1.27 be discrepancies between some names on the charts
1 Geographical positions in this volume are quoted to and those in this volume; for example, the Greek word
two decimal places of minutes and are, where for ‘islet’ may appear as Nisis, Nisldha or Nisida.
possible, based upon the WGS 84 datum. Where this
is not possible, positions will have been taken from a Datums
non-W G S 84 datum chart and m inor positional
discrepancies may be noted. These positions are not Horizontal
to be used as an indication of navigational or 1.32
positional accuracy but are for the purpose of 1 In areas covered by modern surveys, ADMIRALTY
id e n tifica tio n and d iffe re n tia tio n of named and charts are referred to WGS84 (World Geodetic System
unnamed topographical, navigational and hydrographic 1984). Elsewhere, charts may be undefined. All charts
features, points and marks. Where navigational and/or should indicate the geodetic reference system used
positional accuracy is required then positions should when the chart was produced. Notes on the chart will
be obtained direct from the largest scale chart or ENC indicate corrections that may have to be applied to
cell, taking note of the datum. See also 1.32. GPS systems.

4
 CHAPTER 1

When transferring positions between charts based Position fixing systems

on different horizontal datums, it is advisable to do so
: , bearing and distance from a common reference
Differential Global Positioning System
afreet, and not by latitude and longitude. 1.39
1 Differential GPS. Beacons transm itting DGPS
Vertical information are established on the Egyptian coast as
1.33 follows:
Depths. On recent ADMIRALTY charts, the chart Station Position Range
datu n used is LAT. On other charts, reference should
~e made to the title notes on the chart. For an Great Pass Low Lt 31 °09'-28N 29°50'-77E 150 nm
explanation of LAT and other datums see ADMIRALTY Mersa Matruh 31 °21 '-55N 27°14'-80E 150 nm
-Oe Tables.
Port Said 31 °16'-38N 32°17'-51E 175 nm
Drying heights on ADMIRALTY charts are shown
(Bur Sa'Td)
as being above chart datum.
Elevations. On ADMIRALTY charts, elevations are For further information, see ADMIRALTY List of
usually given above MHWS or MHHW. Radio Signals Volume 2(1).

Radio aids to navigation

AIDS TO NAVIGATION
Racons
Lights 1.40
1.34 1 Racons may be fitted to lighthouses, light floats,
Navigational lights are the responsibility of the buoys and other structures to aid offshore navigation
appropriate national authorities. and entry into harbours. They are not normally listed
Major lights are those with a nominal range of in Sailing Directions.
15 miles or greater. For full details see ADMIRALTY List o f Radio
Light-structures only are described in the body of Signals Volume 2(1).
:~is book. For further details of the lights, see
ADMIRALTY List o f Lights Volume E. Automatic Identification System (AIS)
1.41
Landmarks 1 On some fixed and floating navigational marks
1.35 within the area covered by this volume, AIS may have
C aution is n e ce ssa ry when e va lu a tin g the been fitted. They are not normally listed in Sailing
d e s c rip tio n s given in th is vo lu m e co n ce rn in g Directions.
landmarks, such as trees, and the colour and shape For full details see The Mariner's Handbook and
of buildings etc. New buildings may have been ADMIRALTY List of Radio Signals Volume 2(1).
erected and old trees or houses destroyed, so that
•narks, which may at one time have been conspicuous Vessel Traffic Services
on account of their isolation, shape or colour, may no 1.42
longer exist or may now be difficult to identify. 1 There are Vessel Traffic Management Systems in
operation at MTna' Al IskandarTyah (Alexandria)
(31 °1O’-OON 2 9 °5 0 ’ 00E) (3.73), MTna’ Dumya?
Beacons and daymarks
1.36 (Damietta Port) (31°28'-31N 31°45'-34E) (3.159), Port
A beacon is a fixed artificial navigation mark which Said (Bur Sa'Td) (31°16'-00N 32°19'00E) (3.182) and
can be recognised by means of its shape, colour, Limassol (6.41).
pattern or topmark; it may carry a light, radar reflector
or other aid to navigation. Details, where known, are Radio navigational warnings
given in the body of the book. NAVAREA III warnings
The term daymark refers to a large unlit beacon but 1.43
me term is also used to denote a topmark or other 1 The area covered by this volume lies within the
distinguishing mark or shape incorporated into a limits of NAVAREA III. Details of warnings and a list of
beacon, light buoy or buoy. those in force are issued by the C o-ordinator
The lateral system for fixed artificial aids is based NAVAREA III, Director del Instituto Hidrografico de la
on that used for buoyage. Marina, Plaza San Severiano, 3, 11007 Cadiz, Spain.
NAVAREA III warnings are broadcast through:
Buoyage a) National coast radio stations.
1.37 b) S a fe tyN E T (E nhanced G roup C alling
IALA Maritime Buoyage System Region A (red to International SafetyNET).
port) applies throughout the area covered by this
volume. However, mariners are advised that some Coastal navigation warnings
buoys and beacons may not conform to the IALA 1.44
system. For details of the system see IALA Maritime 1 Warnings are broadcast in English and national
Buoyage System and The Mariner’s Handbook. languages through national coast radio stations.
Local warnings
RADIO FACILITIES 1.45
1 Local warnings cover the area within the limits of
General jurisdiction of a harbour or port authority and may be
1.38 issued by those authorities. They may be issued in
For full details of radio stations, broadcasts, the national language only and supplement the coastal
navigation systems and facilities see the relevant navigational warnings by giving information which the
volumes of ADMIRALTY List of Radio Signals. ocean-going ship may normally not require.
 CHAPTER 1

Radio weather reports Protection o f Submarine Cables, see The Mariner’s

Handbook.
METAREA III warnings/bulletins
1.46 Traffic separation schemes
1 The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has 1.52
established a global service for the broadcast of high 1 See IMO publication Ship’s Routeing for general
seas weather warnings and routine weather bulletins, provisions on ship’s routeing. The following TSS in the
through the Enhanced Group Calling International waters covered by this volume are IMO adopted and
SafetyNET Service. METeorological service AREAS regulations for navigating in these schemes are
(METAREAS) are identical to the 21 NAVAREAS within contained in Rule 10 of The International Regulations
the W o rld -W id e N avig atio na l W arning S ervice for Preventing Collisions at Sea (1972):
(WWNWS). At the approaches to Mina' Dumyat (3.167).
2 Each M ETAREA has a d esign ated N ational
Meteorological Service responsible for issuing high
seas weather warnings and bulletins. The designated European Union regulations
authorities are not necessarily in the same country as
the NAVAREA co-ordinators. Weather warnings and Directive 2002/59/EC
routine bulletins are broadcast through: 1.53
3 a) National coast radio stations. 1 General information. This Directive establishes a
b) S a fe tyN E T (E nhanced G roup C alling common vessel traffic monitoring and information
International SafetyNET). system throughout European Union (EU) waters. The
principal provisions are described below. They apply in
Meteorological broadcasts by radio-facsimile general to all commercial vessels over 300 gt but the
1.47 rules concerning the notification of carriage of
1 The area covered by this volume lies within the dangerous and polluting goods apply to all vessels
radio-facsimile broadcast coverage area of national regardless of size.
coast radio-facsimile stations. 2 Caution. These extracts are for reference purposes
only and are not to be regarded as a statement of the
National weather services applicable law. The full text of the regulations is the
1.48 sole authoritative statement of the applicable law and
1 National weather warnings and weather bulletins it is recommended that it is consulted. The regulations
are issued through national coast radio stations. to which the following refer is Directive 2002/59/EC or
the appropriate enabling legislation drafted by
Radio medical advice individual member states.
1.49 1.54
1 Mariners may obtain medical advice by radio 1 Ship reports. All vessels bound for a port within
through the International R adio-M edical Centre, the EU must report to the Port Authority at least
Centro Internazionale Radio Medico (C I R M) in 24 hours prior to arrival, or, if the voyage is less than
Rome, Italy. See ADMIRALTY List of Radio Signals 24 hours, no later than the time of departure from the
Volume 1(1) previous port. The report shall include the following
information:
Name, call sign, IMO or MMSI number.
REGULATIONS Port of destination.
ETA and ETD at port of destination.
International regulations Total number of persons onboard.
2 Upon receipt of a ship’s report, the Port Authority
Submarine cables and pipelines will notify the national coastguard authority by the
1.50 quickest means possible. This information will then be
1 Mariners are advised not to anchor or trawl in the pooled in the European-wide telematic network called
vicinity of submarine cables or pipelines. Pipelines are SafeSeaNet.
not always buried and their presence may significantly Any amendments to the initial ship report must be
reduce the charted depth. They may also span notified immediately.
seabed undulations and cause fishing gear to become 3 Mandatory ship reporting systems. All vessels
irrecoverably snagged, putting a vessel in severe shall report to the relevant coastguard authority on
danger. entering an IMO-adopted mandatory ship reporting
2 For further information on submarine cables and system, the report being made in the recognised
pipelines, and on The International Convention for the form at (see ADM IRALTY List o f Radio Signals
Protection of Submarine Cables, see The Mariner’s Volume 6(3)). The coastguard authority is to be
Handbook. informed of any changes to the initial report.
1.55
Pollution 1 Vessel Traffic Service. A ll ve ssels are to
1.51 participate in and comply with VTS systems operated
1 For information on the prevention of pollution see by EU member states and also those systems
The International Convention for the Prevention of operated by member states in conjunction with
Pollution from Ships 1973 (MARPOL73) as modified co-operating non-member states. This includes those
by the Protocols 1978 and 1997 and The Mariner’s systems operated by member states outside their
Handbook. territorial waters but which are operated in accordance
The Mediterranean Sea is defined as a Special with IMO guidelines.
Area for the purpose of the Convention. Routeing schemes. All vessels must comply with
2 For further information on submarine cables and IMO-adopted TSS and deep-water route regulations.
pipelines, and on The International Convention for the (See IMO publication Ships’ Routeing).
 CHAPTER 1

1-56 he shall inform the coastguard of his reasons for not

Automatic Identification System and Voyage doinq so.
Data Recorder. All vessels are to be equipped with 1.60
AtS and VDR. The systems shall be in operation at all 1 Measures relating to incidents or accidents at
times except where international rules provide for the sea. The coastguard authority will take measures to
rotection of navigational information. ensure the safety of shipping and of persons and to
A coastguard stations throughout the EU are protect the marine and coastal environment. Measures
nquired to be able to receive AIS information and to available to EU states include:
ay it to all other coastguard stations within the EU. (a) a restriction on the movement of a ship or an
1-57 instruction to follow a specific course;
Notification of dangerous and polluting goods. (b) a notification to put an end to the threat to the
A vessels leaving an EU port are to report dangerous environment or maritime safety;
and polluting goods as specified within the Directive to 2 (c) sending an evaluation team aboard a ship to
n e harbour authority. Vessels arriving from outside EU assess the degree of risk and to help the master
•raters must transmit a report to their first EU port or remedy the situation;
-.'■chorage upon departure from their port of loading, (d) instructing the master to put in at a place of
iff. at the time of departure, the port of destination in refuge in the event of imminent peril, or, causing the
—e EU is not known, the report must be forwarded ship to be piloted or towed.
-m ediately such information becomes known. Where The owner of the ship and the owner of the
cractical, this report is to be made electronically and d a n g e ro u s or p o llu tin g goods onboard m ust
must include the information described in Annex 1 (3) c o -o p e ra te with the coastguard authority when
of the Directive. requested to do so.
When a harbour authority receives a dangerous or 1.61
rdluting cargo report, it shall retain the report for use 1 Places of refuge. EU states are required to
r the event of an incident or accident at sea, designate places of refuge where a vessel which has
*: 'warding it whenever requested by the national undergone an accident or is in distress can receive
zoastguard authority. rapid and effective assistance to avoid environmental
1.58 pollution.
Reporting of Incidents and Accidents. Whenever For further information, see www.eur-lex.europa.eu.
a vessel is involved with one of the following, the
coastguard authority of the EU coastal state is to be Marine pollution
TT'ormed immediately; 1.62
(a) any incident or accident affecting the safety of 1 Combating oil pollution. European countries have
the ship; agreed to co m b at oil p o llu tio n by m eans of
(b) any incident or accident which compromises surveillance and the pooling of resources in the event
shipping safety, such as a failure likely to of an emergency incident. Other EU measures to
a ffe c t a s h ip ’s m a n o e u v e ra b ility or combat pollution include:
seaworthiness; Port S tate C o n tro l In s p e c tio n s (D ire c tiv e
(c) any event liable to pollute the waters or 95/21/EC, as amended).
shores of the coastal state; Expanded Inspection N otification (D irective
(d) the sighting of a slick of polluting material or 2009/16/EC).
drifting containers and packages. 2 Port Reception Facilities for Ship-Generated
The owner of a vessel, who has been informed by W aste and C argo R esid ue s (D ire c tiv e
the master that one of the above has occurred, must 2000/59/EC).
nform the coastguard and render any assistance that Sulphur Content of Marine Fuels (Directive
may be required. 2005/33/EC).
1.59 For the fu ll te x t of EU D ire c tiv e s see
Measures to be taken in the event of www.eur-lex.europa.eu.
exceptionally bad weather or sea conditions. If, on Border controls
the advice of the national meteorological office, the 1.63
coastguard authority deems a threat of pollution or a 1 The Schengen Convention is an association of
risk to human life exists due to impending severe European Union countries established to increase
weather, the coastguard authority will attempt to inform freedom of movement between participating states,
the master of every vessel about to enter or leave while strengthening border controls with other nations.
port as to the nature of the weather and the dangers Within the area covered by this volume, Greece is a
it may cause. member of the Convention.
W ithout prejudice to measures taken to give 2 Vessels intending to enter a port of a member
assistance to vessels in distress, the coastguard may country are required to give advance notification to the
take such measures as it considers appropriate to appropriate Coast Guard command centre no later
avoid a threat of pollution or a risk to human life. The than 24 hours before arrival at the port using the form
measures may include: Notification in Advance (6 hours notice is required for
(a) a recommendation or a prohibition on entry or fishing vessels).
departure from a port;
(b) a recommendation limiting, or if necessary
prohibiting, the bunkering of ships in territorial National regulations - Libya
waters.
The m aster is to inform his owners of any Libya
m easures or recom m endations initiated by the 1.64
coastguard. If, as a result of his professional 1 Caution. Vessels not com plying with Libyan
jud ge m en t, the m aster d ecide s not to act in regulations when within Libyan territorial waters will be
accordance with measures taken by the coastguard, subject to punitive penalties.
 CHAPTER 1

Advance information. Vessels bound for any 3 Pollution. Refuse and contaminated water must not
Libyan port must inform the appropriate Port Authority be dumped. See also information at 1.51.
or agent in Libya, after leaving the last port of call, Movement between ports. Permission must be
giving the following information: obtained before proceeding from one Libyan port to
Vessel’s name, call sign and nationality. another.
Name and address of the owner.
Name and nationality of the master. National regulations - Egypt
Number of crew and any passengers. 1.67
Gross tonnage. 1 Permission to enter Egyptian waters must be
Cargo type and quantity. requested from the Egyptian authorities 48 hours prior
Destination port. to arrival.
Expected duration of stay in the port. ETA should be confirmed at least 24 hours in
Date of arrival (ETA). advance, giving last port of call, position, course and
Vessels must then contact the nearest Libyan coast speed.
radio station 24 hours before arriving at one of the 2 Radio communication must be established with
Approach Reporting Points (1.65), confirming the port authorities when within 24 miles of the coast in
above, and in a d d itio n su p p ly the fo llo w in g order to receive entry instructions.
information: On passage vessels should keep at least 12 miles
Position, speed and course at that moment. off the Egyptian coast by day, and at least 24 miles
Approach Reporting Point to be used. off at night.
Sea state.
Vessel’s condition. National regulations - Greece
1.68
Flags. When in Libyan waters vessels must display
1 Fortified areas. Severe penalties may be imposed
their national flag, and at the foremast the Libyan flag.
on persons found taking photographs or collecting
1.65
hydrographic information within 10 km of a Greek
Approach reporting points. The Libyan authorities
naval or military fortified area. Where these regulations
have stated that all vessels making for Libyan ports
apply in the vicinity of prohibited areas, they may be
must pass through one of the following designated
applicable outside those areas or within channels
Approach Reporting Points:
passing through the areas.
Destination Approach point(s) 2 Historic wrecks. The sites of historic wrecks are
Zuwarah (Zuara) (2.28) 33°03'N 12°15’E protected. Unauthorised interference of the site is
prohibited within an area with a radius of 300 m,
Jarabulus (Tripoli) (2.51) 33°00’N 12°58'E centred on the wreck. Only historic wrecks of
33°05'N 13°04'E navigational significance are described in this volume.
33°07’N 13°10'E National regulations - Turkey
33°05'N 13°19’E 1.69
1 Diving restrictions. In order to protect underwater
Qa§r Abroad (2.109) 32°34'N 15°16'E cultural and natural conditions, Turkish authorities
Ra’s Lanuf (2.163) 32°43'N 19°06'E have prohibited diving in certain areas. The areas
concerned are described in local orders and official
Marsa al Burayqah (El-Brega) 32°43'N 19°06'E advice must be sought before any diving takes place.
Oil Terminal (2.187)
Az ZuwaytTnah (Ez Zueitina) 32°43'N 19°06'E National regulations - Syria
1.70
Oil Terminal (2.210) 1 Advance information. Vessels bound for Syrian
BanghazT (Benghazi) (2.238) 32°03'N 19°50'E ports are required to communicate the following
information, through a Syrian coast radio station, when
32°09'N 19°49'E
within 50 miles of the Syrian coast:
32°17'N 19°53'E 2 Ship’s name, and former name, if any.
32°20'N 20°06'E Nationality.
Type of vessel.
Darnah (Derna) (2.279) 32°58'N 22°42'E Position and time.
Jubruq (Tobruch) (2.299) 32°10'N 24°02'E Route and speed.
Port of destination.
3 Arrival information. When entering Syrian territorial
On arrival at an approach point vessels must report waters vessels should pass the following information
their position, course and speed to the appropriate to the appropriate pilot-station or signal tower:
Port Authority. Ship’s name.
1.66 Nationality.
Radio communications. Within Libyan territorial Nature of cargo.
waters all vessels must maintain communication with ETA at the waiting area.
Libyan coast radio stations and keep continuous watch 4 Flags. When in Syrian waters vessels must display
on VHF. For the correct VHF channel on which to call their national flag and the Syrian flag.
individual ports see ADMIRALTY List o f Radio Signals Use of radio. Unauthorised use of radio in Syrian
Volume 6(3). ports or anchorages is prohibited.
Anchoring. S hips m ay a n ch o r o nly in the
anchorage areas shown on the charts. All vessels National regulations - Lebanon
must anchor as instructed by the Port Authority, and 1.71
must not shift berth except on the instruction of the 1 Approved ports. Only certain ports within Lebanon
Port Authority. are approved for use by ships commercially. Ships
 CHAPTER 1

e re -c c n g to enter other ports will be formally banned certification she is constrained by sea state, wind
severely penalised. The approved ports are: force, maximum distance from land, port of refuge or
~'ablous (Tripoli) (7.73). length of voyage.
Jounie (7.110). 4 Prohibited areas. Certain areas off the Israeli coast
Beyrouth (Beirut) (7.122). are closed to navigation. These areas are described in
Saida (Sidon) (7.149) and ZahranT (Sidon) the body of the book.
Terminal (7.156). Pollution reporting. All vessels navigating in Israeli
Sour (Tyr) (7.170). waters must report any dangerous occurrences,
r addition certain private and specialised ports strandings, and possible incidents of pollution, to the
as Chekka (7.99) and Sel’ata (7.104) are also Maritime and Coastal Anti-pollution Division, via Hefa
axnyved. (Haifa) coast radio station.
= :"ts are open to traffic during the following 1.74
aenocs 1 Ballast water. In order to prevent the import of
Beyrouth — 24 hours. non-native aquatic organisms into the waters of the
^rablous, Saida and Sour — between 0500 and ports of Israel from ships’ ballast water discharges, all
2000 hours. ships destined for Israeli ports must exchange any
= assage between the above ports is limited ballast water that has not been taken from an open
r**r~-.een 0500 and 2000 hours. ocean.
Entry. All vessels entering Lebanese territorial 2 The best method of protecting harbour waters from
*a = rs should obtain permission to enter from the foreign organisms that may exist in the ballast water
H u me Chamber 36 to 24 hours in advance, through collected in foreign harbours and near shore areas is
r e agent. for the ballast water to be exchanged in open ocean,
A sc all vessels should call Beyrouth Port Control beyond any continental shelf or fresh water current
i a r ng the daytim e only, on VHF, to request effect.
3jr-is s io n to enter Lebanese territorial waters. 3 For vessels calling at Israeli Mediterranean ports,
details of reports to be made and information ballast exchange must be carried out in the Atlantic
'ed see ADMIRALTY List o f Radio Signals Ocean when practicable. Vessels failing to comply with
k o c ~ e 6(3). this procedure will not be permitted to pump out their
*T 2 ballast water during their stay in the port or while
Savigation. United Nations Interim Force In navigating along the coast of Israel.
Lebanon (UNIFIL) Maritime Task Force (MTF) is 4 A record of the location, date and time of the
- c rto rin g merchant traffic sailing towards Lebanese ballast water exchange should be entered in the ship’s
cods or transiting Lebanese Territorial Waters. The log book, or in other suitable documentation, such as
UN F1L MTF is acting in accordance with United an official ballast water record book. Masters of
Macons Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1701. vessels will be requested to provide ship inspectors
. essels must approach approved ports by the (pilots) with a completed ballast water exchange
-^cognised sea lanes where they will be subject to report.
-^gelation by the maritime and customs authorities
" 1 1 The sea SIGNALS
lanes for the ports of Trablous and Saida... and Saida
are established as tonows: Greece and Turkey
1.75
Entry should be carried out by navigating on a
1 Greek and Turkish warships, submarines and
course of 090° from a distance of at least
aircraft use signals and instructions similar to those
3 miles from opposite the relevant port.
described in Annual Notice to Mariners No 5 and The
Exit should be carried out by navigating on a
n /M .p n n 0-7/-NO A— - —I - —A --------- - -f ' 1 Mariner’s Handbook.
T h e port of Beyrouth is a p p ro ac h e d through a T S S
(7 .1 2 9 ), th e use of w hich is m andatory. Syria
1.76
lin Lebanese territorial waters at a distance of 1 The following signals are used in Syrian ports:
* ~ :es off the coast.
Sound signal Light signal Meaning
National regulations - Israel Six short Six flashes Attacked by
1.73 blasts (from foremast) thieves
The Israeli authorities require vessels approaching
Six long Six long Fire on board
th e Israeli coast to do so only through the approach
blasts flashes or alongside
routes shown on the chart. Coasting traffic must follow
nhtiin the coastal route shown on the chart. Two long Two long Serious injury
Vessels navigating in Israeli territorial waters are blasts flashes
advised not to exceed a speed of 15 kn.
Four long Four long Stranding
Advance information. All vessels (including small
craft) bound for Israeli ports are required to transmit blasts flashes
an IMOT report (Israeli Ministry of Transport) when
100 miles from the Israeli coast (or 25 miles for small DISTRESS AND RESCUE
craft). The report must be sent to the Israeli Navy by
fax or e-mail. The Israeli Navy will confirm receipt by
International
Inmarsat C. Global Maritime Distress and Safety System
For details of the information required in the report 1.77
see ADMIRALTY List of Radio Signals Volume 6(3). 1 GMDSS enables SAR authorities on shore, in
Winter restrictions. Any vessel bound for an addition to shipping in the immediate vicinity of a
Israeli port shall not be permitted to enter Israeli vessel in distress, to be rapidly alerted to an incident
Territorial Waters from 1 November to 30 April if by so that assistance can be provided with the minimum
 CHAPTER 1

of delay. The sea area covered by this volume lies A network of coast radio stations maintains a
within the Search and Rescue Regions of Libya, continuous listening watch on international distress
Egypt, Greece, Turkey, Cyprus, Syria, Lebanon and frequencies.
Israel.
Details of GMDSS and the associated coast radio Turkey
stations are given in ADMIRALTY List o f Radio 1.82
Signals Volum es and Volume 1(1). 1 Search and rescue, for the area which lies within
the Maritime Search and Rescue Region of Turkey, is
Automated Mutual-assistance Vessel Rescue system the re s p o n s ib ility of the M aritim e R escue
1.78 Co-ordination Centre Mersin. Three Maritime Rescue
AMVER, operated by the United States Coast C o -o rd in a tio n S u b -C e n tre s are e stab lish ed at
Guard, is an international maritime mutual assistance Marmaris, Antalya and iskenderun. A network of coast
organization which provides important aid to the
radio stations maintains a continuous listening watch
development and co-ordination of search and rescue
on international distress frequencies.
e ffo rts in m any o ffsh o re areas of the w orld.
Participation in the system is voluntary.
Cyprus
Details are given in ADMIRALTY List of Radio
1.83
Signals Volume 6(3).
1 Search and rescue in Cypriot waters is based at
Rescue services JRCC Larnaca. The search and rescue co-ordination
centre for the British Soverign Base Area is located at
General RCC Akrotiri. Cyprus operates a maritime radio
1.79 service which maintains a continuous listening watch
For in fo rm a tio n on R escue S e rvice s see on international distress frequencies.
ADMIRALTY List of Radio Signals Volume 5.
Syria
Egypt 1.84
1.80
1 For Syrian waters the General Directorate of Ports
The Ministry of Defence Cairo is responsible for
search and rescue in Egyptian waters. The rescue in Al LadhiqTyah (Lattaquie) is responsible for
service consists of a Joint Rescue Co-ordination c o -o rd in a tin g search and rescue operations. A
Centre at Cairo and a Maritime Rescue Co-ordination network of coast radio stations maintains a continuous
listening watch on international distress frequencies.
Centre, for the Mediterranean coast of Egypt, at MTna’
Al IskandarTyah (Alexandria). A network of coast radio
stations maintains a continuous listening watch on
Lebanon
international distress frequencies.
1.85
1 The Lebanese Navy, with a Rescue Co-ordination
Greece Centre at Beyrouth (Beirut), is responsible for search
1.81 and rescue in Lebanese waters. Lebanese Naval
The overall authority for search and rescue in Bases and the coast radio station at Beyrouth
Greek waters is the Search and Rescue Directorate, maintain continuous listening watch on international
Ministry of Shipping, Maritime Affairs and the Agean, distress frequencies.
Hellenic Coastguard, Peiraias. Search and rescue
within the area covered by this book is delegated to Israel
the following two Maritime Rescue Co-ordination 1.86
Sub-Centres of the Maritime Search and Rescue 1 The Israeli Navy and Air Force are responsible for
Region of Greece: search and rescue in Israeli waters. The Rescue
Rescue C o -o rd in a tio n S u b -C e n tre C hania Co-ordination Centre is based at Bengurian Airport
covering the coast of Crete. and Hefa (Haifa), which is one of a network of radio
R escue C o -o rd in a tio n S u b -C e n tre Rodos sta tion s on the M editerranean coast of Israel
covering the coasts of Kasos, Karpathos and m a in ta in in g a c o n tin u o u s lis te n in g w atch on
Rodos. international distress frequencies.
 CHAPTER 1

NATURAL CONDITIONS

MARITIME TOPOGRAPHY Seismic activity

1.89
1 The area is seismically active, and moderately
liable to earthquake shocks.
Seabed
tr
Z'ter most of the area covered by this volume the
—i— ental shelf is narrow, being less than 5 miles in CURRENTS AND TIDAL STREAMS
lN 3 n in many parts, and generally up to about
Currents
- ie s elsewhere; beyond it the bottom falls away
n o e or less steeply to depths of over 1000 m. In General information
fe s e deeper parts the seabed is by no means 1.90
•e=T_'eless, but over most of the area its composition 1 The Mediterranean receives only about a third of
roes not appear to vary greatly. The predominant the amount of water that it loses by evaporation from
—rsTtuents are muds of various colours, black, grey, the rivers that flow into it. Still greater losses of water
M e and yellow, and globigerina ooze; volcanic ash, result from a sub-surface outflow through Strait of
torn eruptions N of the area, also occurs. Gibraltar. This outflow removes the highly saline and
On the continental shelf, and on the island shelf dense w a te r re s u ltin g from e v a p o ra tio n from
srcuid Cyprus, sand and rock are the most common Mediterranean Sea to Atlantic Ocean. These losses
rcnsttuents. The N African coast generally shows a are compensated by a strong surface inflow from the
regression from inshore sand and rock, through Atlantic to the Mediterranean. A similar, though much
sarc. to the deep-water mud; in the vicinity of River less p ro n o u n ce d , p atte rn p re v a ils betw een
flUe delta, mud and muddy sand occur extensively. Mediterranean Sea and Black Sea; water flows out of
E e .e ily sand also occurs locally off the coasts. the M e d ite rra n e a n th ro u g h Q a na kkale B ogazi
Certain major structural features, or physiographic (40°01'-00N 26°10'-00E) at depth, and into it at the
r e . nces of the seabed, are worthy of mention. surface.
Vediterranean Ridge is the largest feature. It
e tie n d s W from Cyprus, then passes midway between
Currents diagrams
K r r and the coast of Libya before trending NW
1.91
troa rds the peninsula of Italy, thus being about
1 In the current diagrams 1.91.1 and 1.91.2, arrows
‘ ZOO miles in length but only between 40 and
indicate the predominate direction, average rate and
■QO miles in width. It varies in depth between
constancy, the definitions of which will be found in the
arcxoximately 1300 m and 2500 m, and exhibits
glossary of The Mariner’s Handbook under current
u g g e d topography, the seabed materials apparently
diagrams.
r e r g comparatively hard. There are several knolls on
t ie ridge, particularly in its central part.
Apart from Mediterranean Ridge, the following Currents in the central southern and eastern parts of
s.ma er features of positive relief are worthy of the Mediterranean
—enron: Eratosthenes Tablemount, about 50 miles S 1.92
of the S extremity of Cyprus; Anaximander Ridge, 1 From the Sicilian Channel the current sets ESE
Erout 40 miles S of the coast of Turkey in longitude towards the Nile Delta but with two clockwise flows off
30 E: and a seamount (33°32'-00N 19°56'00E) at the the coast of NW Libya in the Gulfs of Gabes and
5E end of Sicilia Basin. On all these upstanding Side.
Matures, rock may outcrop on the seabed. The ESE flow off the coast of NE Libya is joined by
Mediterranean Ridge is flanked on its S side by a a S flow to the W and E of Kriti with a clockwise flow
narrow elongated basin. To the E of longitude 26°E, ce ntred near C yprus. The d ata in the NE
n is basin has a central depth of over 3000 m, and is Mediterranean is relatively sparse but to the S of
«nown as Herodotus Basin; however, the basin also Cyprus the current is predominately E with great
extends W, parallel with Mediterranean Ridge, to variability.
merge into Sicilia Basin, a broader depression of 2 To the S of Kriti the currents are very variable but
similar depth, SE of Sicily. with a slightly higher frequency of W setting currents,
Between Sicilia Basin and the head of Gulf of Side particularly in spring, and with a rate rarely exceeding
s a generally unremarkable continental rise. However, 1 kn. Farther S, the currents turn to the S then ESE
between the latter and the extensive continental shelf near 34°N in summer.
off Tunisia, there is a distinctive province consisting of
a continental borderland, on which lie a number of
banks, som e of w hich probably rem ain to be Effects of strong winds
oiscovered. 1.93
Nile Fan, a major feature between Herodotus Basin 1 After prolonged periods of strong winds from a
and the coast of Egypt, is a sloping depositional area constant direction, a w in d -d rift current may be
»~ch extends seaward for many miles off River Nile generated, the rate of which varies according to the
oerta. wind speed and direction. These wind-drift currents
may reduce or enhance the main underlying current.

Volcanic activity Tidal streams

1.88 1.94
No active volcanoes exist within the area covered 1 Tidal streams in the area covered by this volume
by this volume. are, for the most part, weak and inappreciable.
CHAPTER 1
 CHAPTER 1

SEA LEVEL AND TIDES stable throughout the year, with isohalines running N
to S across the area covered by this volume. The
Sea level values do, however, vary across the area. Values vary
1.95 between 37-50 and 37-75 in the W up to 39-00 and
In the central Mediterranean, during February, 39-25 in the E. In the E the isohalines curve under
March and April, the mean sea level may fall as much Cyprus and run E to W with small areas of slightly
as 0-4 m below normal. lower salinity off the coasts of Turkey in the extreme
Marrobbio, consisting of waves or surges either NE and Egypt in the extreme SE.
isolated or in series, may raise the sea level by 0-6 or
0 9 m, during undisturbed weather. The period of the Density
waves varies from 10 to 26 minutes. They are most 1.101
marked on the SW coast of Sicily, but they occur all 1 For an explanation of density as applied to
along the W, S and E coasts and round the islands seaw ater, and units used, see The M a rin e r's
between Sicily and the coast of Africa, and also on Handbook. The density of seawater in the area
the latter coast in the vicinity of Jarabulus (Tripoli). covered by this volume varies both seasonally and
They are known as M arrobbio, M arrubbio and across the area. In winter in the S Aegean the density
Carrobbio in different localities of Sicily. Their origin is value is 1-02900 g/cm3. The isopycnals curve around
probably associated with fairly abrupt changes in the this and values decrease to 1-02800 g/cm3 in the S
m e te o ro lo g ic a l c o n d itio n s p re v a ilin g in the and W of the area. In summer when density tends to
Mediterranean as a whole, and not necessarily with be at its lowest, values decrease to 1-02675 g/cm3 in
changes in local conditions. the NE, 1-02525 g/cm3 in the SE, and 1-02550 g/cm3
in the W. The isopicnals curve around these extremes
Tides running E to W in the centre of the area.
1.96
Tides in the area are mainly semi-diurnal. The Sea surface temperature
range is very small, in most places 0-3 m or less and General information
now here e xce e d in g 0-5 m. C on seq ue n tly, 1.102
meteorological conditions may often have more effect 1 Diagrams 1.102.1 to 1.102.4 show the mean sea
on sea level than the tide. surface temperature for February, May, August and
November. The sea surface temperature usually falls
SEA AND SWELL to a minimum in February and reaches a maximum in
August.
General information Variability
1.97 1.103
For d e fin itio n s o f sea and sw ell, and the 1 Between May and December the sea surface
terminology used in describing their characteristics, temperatures may differ by around 2° to 3°C, and
see The Mariner’s Handbook. from January to April by about 1° to 2°C. In shallow
coastal waters and inlets the variations can be higher.
Sea conditions The difference between the mean air temperature and
1.98
the mean sea surface temperature seldom varies by
Sea waves are generated locally by the wind and
more than 1°C.
can be very variable in direction. Strong winds often
give rise to short, steep and very rough seas and are CLIMATE AND WEATHER
a well known feature in the N of the region. Within the
area covered by this volume, moderate to rough seas General information
are encountered in winter on about 35 to 40% of 1.104
occasions in the W and N of the area and 25 to 30% 1 The following information on climate and weather
in the SE. In the summer the percentage decreases to should be read in conjunction with the information
around 20 to 25% of occasions around Kriti and about contained in The Mariner’s Handbook which explains
10 to 15% elsewhere. in more detail many aspects of meteorology and
climatology of importance to the mariner.
Swell conditions 2 Weather reports and forecasts covering the area
1.99 are regularly broadcast in the various languages of
Diagrams 1.99.1 to 1.99.4 give swell roses for the region and also in English; for details see
February, May, August and November. Swells of over ADMIRALTY List of Radio Signals Volume 3(1).
4 m are relatively rare, although the frequency of
moderate to heavy swells in winter is relatively high General conditions
along the N African coast in association with strong to 1.105
gale force NW winds. Moderate swells over the 1 The summers are prolonged, hot and dry, with very
Mediterranean are usually associated with prolonged little cloud. Winters are usually short and mild with
spells of W winds, and SW winds along the coasts of most of the rain, which is low along the African coast,
Cyprus and Turkey. falling during this period. Even in winter, bad weather
is usually of a relatively short duration, with clear or
sunny spells between any periods of unsettled
SEA WATER CHARACTERISTICS weather. Gales are most frequent between December
and March, particularly in the N and extreme SW of
Salinity and density
the area.
Salinity 2 Visibility is generally good but thick haze can be a
1.100 problem at times near coasts, particularly in the S of
For an explanation of salinity as applied to the area. Radiation fog may occasionally occur in
seaw ater, and units used, see The M a rin e r's coastal areas on calm clear nights in winter but
Handbook. Salinity in Mediterranean Sea remains fairly generally clears by mid-morning.
 CHAPTER 1
Swell distribution FEBRUARY (1.99.1)

EXPLANATION. The frequency of swell from This scale is further subdivided to indicate the Swell direction is towards the circle centre. The
any direction is given according to the scale: fre q u e n cy of sw ell of d iffe re n t h e ig h ts (in figure within the circle gives the percentage of
0% 10 20 30 metres) according to the legend: calms.
40 50 %
i____ __ i___ __ i___ i
0.1-2.2 4.3-6.2 8.3+

2.3-4.2 6.3-8.2
 CHAPTER 1
mm
 CHAPTER 1
~1--------1--------I--------1--------1--------1--------1--------1--------1--------1--------1--------1--------1--------r— ----1--------1--------1--------r
20°Longitude 25° East from Greenwich30° 35°

Swell distribution AUGUST (1.99.3)

EXPLANATION.The frequency of swell from This scale is further subdivided to indicate the Swell direction is towards the circle centre. The
any direction is given according to the scale: fre q u e n cy of swell of d iffe re n t h e ig h ts (in figure within the circle gives the percentage of
0% 10 20 30 40 50 %
metres) according to the legend: calms.

i
/
3
" \ 0 .1 - 2 . 2
■ —
4.3-6.2________ 8.3+
 7757% :

,M
jS''
lJ tZ
f? ¥
•;Sftt49
0 •*’ / //
Mm<
*/
1 ■

f//p^

:■■jjptf^S
y, /".<
r j

If,,,,... /!;

% */

/ / / 7V

CHAPTER 1
00
7 :^ 7 >

7# f >
jSfeiSjl
#■ I

Swell distribution NOVEMBER (1.99.4)

EXPLANATION.The frequency of swell from This scale is further subdivided to indicate the Swell direction is towards the circle centre. The
any direction is given according to the scale: fre q u e n cy of sw ell of d iffe re n t h e ig h ts (in figure within the circle gives the percentage of
0% 10 20 30 40 50 % metres) according to the legend: calms.
i________ i________ i________ i________ i________i
 CHAPTER 1

— |------ 1---------1------- 1 I | I i I I I
20° Longitude 25° East from Greenwich

Mean sea surface temperature NOVEMBER (1.102.4)

 CHAPTER 1

Outbreaks of cold N to NW winds are most tend to be slow moving, taking around three days to
in winter and often give rise to squally transit the area between Sicily and Cyprus, and
itorms, strong to gale force winds and rough frequently become almost stationary near Cyprus for a
few days.
2 In spring, E-moving depressions become less
frequent and less intense, and follow tracks slightly
Pressure
more to the S as the season advances. Depressions
■erage distribution
originating over Algeria and Tunisia are most frequent
in spring and autumn. Those that track just S of the N
— average pressure distribution at mean sea level coasts of Libya and Egypt can give rise to the
r ecruary, May, August and November is shown on strongest Sciroccos (1.113). Depressions are relatively
e accompanying diagrams 1.106.1 to 1.106.4. rare in summer, however, tropical-cyclone type storms
November to March pressure is usually lower occasionally develop in the autumn months. They are
i*=r Mediterranean Sea than over the surrounding known as “medicanes” and can cause flash flooding.
rc ~iasses. By June the W extension of the Asian
■recicJone to Europe has normally collapsed and,
after with an E extension of the Azores anticyclone Fronts
: tow pressure over Syria, results in a N to NW 1.110
lo w over the central and E parts of the 1 Most depressions have associated frontal systems;
ranean. see The Mariner’s Handbook for a full description of
warm fronts, cold fronts, and occlusions. Warm fronts
are mostly weak in the E Mediterranean and rarely
accompanied by prolonged periods of precipitation.
Cold fronts in contrast are often very active with a
* s emphasised that diagrams 1.106.1 to 1.106.4 sudden veer of wind, usually to the N or NW. They
average pressure distributions of very variable often give rise to violent conditions with severe squalls
pess^re patterns which may change markedly from and thunderstorms, and along the N African coast
is . to day. This is particularly so in the winter when may result in sand-storms.
irrccie depressions, troughs and ridges of high 2 Secondary cold fronts or troughs of low pressure
■ e s w re cross the region. may follow behind the main cold front as further
—iere is a small diurnal variation of pressure of outbreaks of cold air arrive, with the original front
Incur 0-5 hPa (mb). Maxima occur at about 1000 and dissipating. The secondary cold fronts may have little
22X ocal time and minima at around 0400 and 1600. cloud or precipitation associated with them because of
B fe x ie depressions or ridges of high pressure often the dryness of the continental air, but bring with them
Hbcsr.'e the diurnal variation. a sudden increase in wind strength. Thus the mariner
should be particularly wary, as there may be little
warning of the approach of a secondary front other
than a small preliminary fall of the barometer and a
Anticyclones temporary decrease in wind.
un
- e Azores anticyclone, the su b -tro p ica l
|twcr-rxessure belt centred over the Atlantic, has a
jr controlling influence on the climate of the Winds
iterranean. In the winter, when the anticyclone is
Average distribution
red at its most S latitude, a ridge often extends E
1.111
Ir Scain or NW Africa. Atlantic depressions moving E
Tpcrc the N flank of the anticyclone often move into 1 Wind roses showing the frequency of wind
distribution for several areas in February, May, August
"e Mediterranean from NW to bring disturbed weather
and November are given in diagrams 1.111.1 to
toe region.
1.111.4.
- iate spring and summer the Azores anticyclone
intensifies, with a ridge frequently extending
towards the Alps. This ridge effectively forces Open sea
tic depressions farther N, away from the 1.112
■er'emanean, and normally results in settled summer 1 In winter winds are very variable particularly in the
B o ro c o n s .
NE of the area, with W to NW winds being most
I r winter a W extension of the Asian anticyclone to
frequent. In spring, NW winds become increasingly
aertra Europe is common and may be the source of
i I■er.r cold air, which often invades the Mediterranean
i m g this period. When a ridge of high pressure
HaKErxJs to the Balkans or central Europe, it can
predominant. During the summer months the winds
are predominantly between N and WNW but mainly W
in the extreme NE of the area.
H r o x e strong N to NE winds over the Aegean.
Regional winds
1.113
Depressions 1 Diagram 1.113 shows the names of the main
MB regional winds of the Mediterranean which are
Diagram 1.109 shows the tracks of typical described as follows:
sions affecting the Mediterranean. Most of them Etesian (Greece) or Meltemi (Turkey) are the
•s E or SE whilst those that form over Algeria tend predominant N to NW winds affecting the Aegean and
move between E and NE. Depressions are most SW Turkey in summer. The mean strength of these
nt in winter with many of them forming over the winds is force 3 to 4, occasionally increasing to
part of the Mediterranean and over Algeria. They force 5 or 6.

21
 FEB 2020 FEB 2020
CHAPTER 1
 CHAPTER 1

FEB 2020
Mean barometric pressure (hPa) AUGUST (1.106.3)

Mean barometric pressure (hPa) NOVEMBER (1.106.4)

CHAPTER 1
 CHAPTER 1
EXPLANATION. The frequency of wind from This scale is further subdivided to indicate the Wind direction is towards the circle centre. The
any direction is given according to the scale: frequency of winds of different Beaufort force figure within the circle gives the percentage of
according to the legend: calms.
0% 10 20 30 40 50%
i________i________ i________i________ i________i
 CHAPTER 1
W
t iJ J f.i
,: y ^ m

1M1|

™ 4"Z

:4S l

Wind distribution MAY (1.111.2)

EXPLANATION.The frequency of wind from This scale is further subdivided to indicate the Wind direction is towards the circle centre. The
any direction is given according to the scale: frequency of winds of different Beaufort force figure within the circle gives the percentage of
according to the legend: calms.
0% 10 20 30 40 50%
i________ i________ i________ i________ i________ i 4 5-6 7 8-12
 CHAPTER 1
—i---------- 1-------------- 1------------ r > i 1
20° Longitude 25° East from Greenwich
I — . 1 "" ......
Wind distribution AUGUST (1.111.3)

EXPLANATION.The frequency of wind from This scale is further subdivided to indicate the Wind direction is towards the circle centre. The
any direction is given according to the scale: frequency of winds of different Beaufort force figure within the circle gives the percentage of
according to the legend: calms.
50% 5-6 7 8-12
4
 CHAPTER 1
Longitude 25° East from Greenwich

Wind distribution NOVEMBER (1.111.4)

EXPLANATION. The frequency of wind from This scale is further subdivided to indicate the Wind direction is towards the circle centre. The
any direction is given according to the scale: frequency of winds of different Beaufort force figure within the circle gives the percentage of
according to the legend: calms.
5-6 7 8-12
4
CHAPTER 1
 CHAPTER 1

2 Scirocco, or Siroco, is the name given to the hot, Gales

dry wind from N Africa. It is called Ghibli in Libya and 1.116
Khamsin between Cyrenaica and Lebanon. The word 1 Diagrams 1.116.1 to 1.116.4 show the percentage
Khamsin is the Arabic word for fifty as these winds frequency of winds of Beaufort force 7 or greater.
are said to be most frequent in the fifty days following Over the open waters, gales (force 8 and above) are
the Coptic Easter. Scirocco winds from the S may rare in summer with a frequency of occurence of 1%
result in temperatures of 40°C or more with a humidity or less, but around 3% along the coast of S Turkey.
as low as 3% along the N African coast. Winds may In January the frequency of occurrence of winds of
reach force 6 to 8. The associated sand-storms force 7 and over is about 10% in the W and around
reduce the visibility to below fog limits. These winds Kriti, 7% in the NE, and 5% in the SE.
may extend several hundred miles to the N, but
become increasingly humid as they move N, and can Cloud
give rise to coastal fog with high temperatures along 1.117
the S coasts in the N. The most severe 1 In summer, prolonged spells of fine weather prevail
Scirocco/Khamsin usually occur in late spring and over the whole of the open water with an average of
autumn but seldom in summer. The frequency varies about 1 okta of cloud. In general there is usually
greatly from year to year. On average they occur on slightly more cloud on the coasts in E areas than over
around two to three occasions in April and May but the open seas. See the climate information (1.124) for
infrequently at other times, and may last from between mean cloud amounts.
1-2 hours and 3 days. The conditions most likely to 2 In winter months the average cloud amount is
give rise to the S winds of the Khamsin are high around 5 oktas in the N and 4 oktas in the S. Long
pressure to the E of Nile Delta and an E-moving periods of cloudy or overcast skies are uncommon,
depression crossing the E M editerranean or and there are good spells of fine weather, especially
Cyrenaica. As the depression moves E of Egypt, the in the S.
wind veers to the NW, the dust soon clears, the 3 In E coastal areas there is a tendency for the cloud
temperature falls rapidly and the humidity rises to decrease in the afternoon in summer and
sharply. marginally increase in all coastal areas in winter.
3 Gharra is a line of squally thunderstorms moving in
Precipitation
from the NE to affect Gulf of Side, usually between
January and March. Rain
Cold Scirocco is a dry E wind occurring in winter 1.118
over Israel, which may give rise to abnormally low 1 Rainfall is seasonal with nearly all of it falling
temperatures. between October and April, except for the NE where
the wet season is slightly longer. On the N African
coast most of the rain is associated with W or NW
winds, but from the coast of Israel to the S coast of
Coastal winds
Turkey it is more usually associated with SW winds.
1.114
Much of the rainfall is the result of cold fronts
1 Winds in coastal areas are largely controlled by the
crossing the area; they are often accompanied by
general pressure distribution of the area but, within
thunderstorms in winter. Rainfall is generally of short
about 20 miles of the coast, topography and land or
duration except for the NE of the area where
sea breezes often produce sign ificant local
depressions may become slow moving or stationary.
modifications to both the wind strength and direction.
2 Along the N African coast the average rainfall
Straits, headlands and steep sided valleys may cause
varies between 50 and 300 mm, with some of the
local increases in wind strength due to funnelling.
lowest values in the extreme SE of the area. The
2 For further information see the wind summaries in
amount of rainfall at any one location is dependent
the climate information (1.124) for a number of coastal
upon its exposure to the prevailing winds and its
stations within the area covered by this volume.
elevation. Between June and the middle of September
rain is rare along this coast.
3 Rainfall amounts are significantly higher along the
Land and sea breezes coasts in the N and E of the area. Along the S coast
1.115 of Turkey rainfall amounts vary from around 1000 mm
1 Land and sea breezes are very pronounced in all in the W to 700 mm in the E; and in the E of the area
parts of the area in summer. Even in winter they are from around 890 mm at Al LadhiqTyah (Lattaquie), to
sometimes apparent in fine settled weather, particularly 530 mm at Tel Aviv.
in the S. In summer the sea breeze usually See climate information (1.124) for average rainfall
commences around 1000 on the N African coast and at selected coastal stations.
gradually freshens until m id-afternoon when it
Snow
commonly reaches force 4 in many places. Elsewhere
1.119
the sea breeze sets in a little later and reaches a
1 Snow usually falls in winter in coastal areas above
maximum of about force 3 to 4. Thereafter it weakens
about 1200 m but rarely at sea level, even in the N of
and eventually ceases shortly after sunset. The
the area.
direction is usually onshore in the morning but will
often slowly veer during the day to blow almost Thunderstorms
parallel to the coastline. 1.120
2 The land breeze often begins to set-in by the late 1 Thunderstorms occur throughout the region. They
evening and reaches maximum strength in the early are most frequent in the N in winter and rare across
hours of the morning, fading around sunrise; it is the whole of the area in summer. The annual
normally lighter than the sea breeze. At other times frequency is between 2 and 10 along the N African
the sea and land breezes may strengthen or weaken coast, with the highest frequency in those areas
the prevailing wind. exposed to the prevailing winds.

SSfyil'
>i
£
N.
Ssc' :-S' i~* * 1*8
 FEB 2020____________________________________________________________________ ___________________ FEB 2020
CHAPTER 1
 CHAPTER 1

[ LB 2 W V

1 ----- 1----- 1------1----- 1----- 1------1----- r — i-----1 | i i i i | i i i i | i i i I I

10° 15° 20° Longitude 25° East from Greenwich 35°
1 I I I I . 1
Percentage frequency of winds of Beaufort force 7 or greater NOVEMBER (1.116.4)

mag
| A I
Lv ’• v 5 ,v
 FEB 2C2Q_______________________________________________________________________________________ F E f^ 0 2 0

Percentage frequency of fog MAY (1.121.2)

CHAPTER 1
 CHAPTER 1

FEB 2020

Percentage frequency of fog NOVEMBER (1.121.4)

 CHAPTER 1

\ and NE of the area thunderstorms may be For the mean and extreme temperatures for a
r ed by hail. The annual frequency of number of coastal stations in the area see climate
is around 30 to 35 with nearly all of information (1.124).
occurring between October and early May.
Humidity
1.123
Fog and visibility
1 Humidity is inversely related to air temperature;
over the open sea is usually good but with thus high humidity is associated with low temperatures
days of fog between April and August. and vice versa. Maximum humidity normally occurs
around dawn and the minimum in the early afternoon.
fog sometimes forms in coastal areas
Over the open sea the mean value of the humidity in
sunrise but generally clears soon afterwards.
January is around 71% near Malta and 67% in the E
~ x is more common in winter than in summer
= lo t particularly frequent, See diagrams 1.121.1 near Cyprus. In July the mean humidity is around
77% to 79% in the S 76% in the NW and NE, and
- 121. 4 .
strong Scirocco conditions the visibility may 74% near the W coast of Kriti.
Induced by dust and sand-storms to fog limits in 2 Very low humidity occurs along the coast from
areas in the S, and may be significantly Libya to Syria with Scirocco and Khamsin winds. Over
over the open sea to the N. Reduced visibility the sea the dry Scirocco winds are rapidly modified
and the humidity increases with the distance from the
H :e caused by industrial smoke and haze in some coast. Hence very high humidity is associated with
areas in summer which may be carried out to
r.emight with offshore land breezes. these Scirocco winds in the N and NW which have
I f "ages are a fairly frequent occurence in summer long sea tracks.
icastal areas in the S and near Cyprus on calm
-rer mornings.
CLIMATE INFORMATION
Air temperature Description of information
1.124
C .e r the open sea in January the mean air 1 The data which follow give climate information for
ature is around 14°C in the N, 15°C in the SW, coastal stations (diagram 1.124) that regularly
16=C in the extreme SE. In July the mean air undertake weather observations. Some of the stations
»ature is around 25°C in the NW, 25° to 26°C in have been resited so the position given is relevant to
S and 27°C in the NE. The difference between the data provided.
-^ean sea surface temperature and that of the These data are average conditions and refer to the
ng air is seldom more than 1° to 2°C. However, specific location of the observing station, they may not
ar temperature may temporarily become 4°C be representative of the conditions elsewhere.
than the sea surface temperature following the 2 The following notes indicate ways in which
age of a cold front in winter. Similarly, air conditions over the open sea may differ from those at
mature over open waters may become more than the nearest reporting station:
warmer than sea tem perature when a Wind speed is nearly always greater over the
co/Khamsin spreads N, and this difference may sea than over the land, although funnelling in
maintained for two to three days. narrow inlets can result in an increase in wind
- coastal areas the seasonal and diurnal variations strength.
temperature are greater than over the open sea, 3 Precipitation figures are usually fairly applicable
ar*cugh sea breezes have an important moderating to coastal waters, but become less applicable
p * * ^ence which inhibit excessive afternoon with increasing distance from the coast. Where
■&—oeratures in summer. The average daily maximum there are high cliffs, or where a range of hills
■E—perature in February is around 15°C in the N of rises sharply behind the reporting station, then,
r e area and 18° to 19°C in the S; the average daily with onshore winds, the station may record
mnimum is 6°C in the N and 9° to 10°C in the S. considerably more precipitation than would be
Frost is rare in the S but does occur on a few experienced a few miles out to sea.
xcasions in winter in Cyprus, Lebanon, Syria, and 4 Temperatures over the sea are less variable than
r e coastal areas of Turkey. over the land. In winter, the temperature is
, In August the average daily maximum is around usually higher over the sea, especially during
22:C in the N and S; the average daily minimum is the night. In summer, it is usually lower than
about 22°C, although slightly lower in the coastal over the land, especially in the day time.
areas in the E. In the S coastal areas the Topography has a marked effect on local
■smperatures may reach 40°C or more on some conditions.
xcasions and 50°C slightly farther inland, mainly in For further inform ation, see The M a rin e r’s
association with the S winds of a Scirocco. Handbook.

35
 FEB
40°

1 .1 3 4
ANTALYA 1 .1 3 6
SiLiFKE
iSKENDERUN
1 .1 3 7
ANAMUR
1 .1 3 5
AL LADHIQlYAH
1 .1 3 8 1 .1 4 0 35c
(LATTAQUIE)
PAPHOS LARNACA
1.141
LIMASSOL
(AKROTIRIJ1.139

BEYROUTH (BEIRUT) ■
1 .1 4 2

1 .1 2 6 1 .1 3 0
ZUWARAH
~ > A L KHUMS DARNAH
(ZUARA) (DERNA)
1 .1 2 5 (HOMS, KHOMS)
BANGHAZI 1.131 TEL AVIV (YAFO)
(BENINA) MINA’ AL ISKANDARIYAH 1 .1 3 2
1 .1 4 3
1 .1 2 9 (ALEXANDRIA) PORT SAID
(BOR SAID)
SURT
1 .1 2 7 AL ARISH
■ AZ ZUWAYTINAH 1 .1 3 3
(a j d a b I y A h )
1 .1 2 8 30c

10° 15° 20 ° Longitude 25° East from Greenwich 30° 35°

— _ __
Location of climate stations (1.124)