These signs, located near the Levante lighthouse and on the Poniente Dock, are primarily aimed at vessels entering the port and seek to eliminate the excuse of ignorance of regulations. Torrevieja bay, with three marinas and over 2,500 mooring points, has seen uncontrolled anchoring by yachts and recreational boats become a recurring problem, especially during holiday periods.
Torrevieja's port basin is one of the largest in the Valencian Community, with intense activity including the fishing fleet, an industrial pier for salt loading, and numerous recreational vessels. The presence of uncontrolled anchored boats, along with jet skis, kayaks, and paddleboards, generates considerable maritime traffic and conflicts due to close proximity between vessels and swimmer safety.
The intensification of inspections was generally met with common sense by bay users, although some did not understand why they were prohibited from doing something they had been doing their whole lives.
This practice, which intensified during the pandemic as a way to avoid mobility restrictions and has been exploited by boat rental businesses, compromises maritime traffic safety and hinders passage to marinas such as Marina Salinas, Real Club Náutico, and Marina Internacional, as well as designated areas for water sports authorized by the Generalitat Valenciana.
The Guardia Civil of Alicante, with the patrol boat Río Oja, already intensified warnings last summer, although sanctions are isolated. Furthermore, the lack of coverage for the maritime captain position for over a decade complicates maritime traffic supervision in the area.
