The 2024 review of the Action de l'État en Mer in the Méditerranée

The year 2024 notably saw a slight increase (+4.5% compared to 2023) in the number of operations conducted by the Centre Régional Opérationnel de Surveillance et de Sauvetage de Méditerranée (CROSS MED).

COMPLIANCE WITH REGULATIONS

In 2025, the PREMAR MED will continue its actions aimed at raising awareness among users and strengthening controls at sea. Furthermore, the proactive policy of protecting the marine environment is proving effective. The drop in the number of anchoring violations confirms better awareness and increased compliance with regulations, while the growing number of wrecks removed reflects a progressive cleaning up of the coastline. Finally, the success of securing the sailing events of the Jeux Olympiques de Paris (JOP) 2024 in Marseille is worth highlighting, with no incidents disrupting the course of this exceptional event. Throughout the year 2024, the broad spectrum of missions conducted under the Action de l'État en Mer heavily mobilized the préfecture maritime de la Méditerranée as well as all services and administrations. Coordinated at the central level by the secrétariat général de la mer (SG Mer), the AEM consists of guaranteeing the protection of national interests, the safety of people and property, public order at sea, the fight against illegal activities, and the protection of the environment 365 days a year and 24/7. It mobilizes several administrations for 45 missions, coordinated by vice-amiral d'escadre Christophe Lucas, préfet maritime de la Méditerranée and sole representative of the State at sea. Thus, the nautical assets of the coast guard function sailed for 94,205 hours (averaging more than 10 assets permanently deployed at sea along the méditerranéen coastline), while aircraft flew for 1,500 hours (averaging more than 4 hours per day).

The Action de l'État en Mer in 2024:

4,310 (+4.5%) rescue or assistance operations coordinated by the CROSS Méditerranée for 10,578 people involved (+13.5%); 935 explosive devices neutralized, representing 953kg of TNT equivalent; 249,142 vessels monitored and tracked by the Marine nationale semaphores; 15,046 controls conducted at sea, including 860 related to fisheries policing; 730 suspected anchoring violations (-22%) resulting in 70 reports issued; 14 administrations from 6 ministries, 50 nautical units, and nearly 450 agents per day to secure the sailing events of the Jeux Olympiques in Marseille.