After two decades of calling northern Europe home waters, we are now sailing in the Mediterranean in our Oyster 55, Modus Vivendi.
This book offers so much more than a mere traditional pilot. Having just spent the last three months cruising Corsica and North Sardinia, I can honestly say I wish I had this book before I started. It is filled to the brim with vital nuggets of wisdom that are often really difficult to find, and then the information can be contradictory and confusing.
Not only are the rules and procedures demystified, they are curated into one place. So instead of trawling through the internet and the plethora of apps available to the modern yachtsman, just look in the book.
Do not be tempted to skip the first two chapters. The sections on customs and practice are invaluable, they will certainly save the occasional blush and potentially a fine.
One of the main draws to the area are the many picturesque nature reserves. Knowing what you can and can’t do, where you can and can’t anchor, what the licencing arrangements are, and much more, are all clearly explained for each reserve. This is important as the Park Rangers are plentiful and take great delight in fining visiting yachts for not complying.
The vivid descriptions, photographs, and most useful chartlets serve to bring the book to life. It represents an invaluable planning tool. As more boats take to the water the demand for reservations (even for mooring buoys) has now become common place. It is great to see the link to show if reservations are required and how to make them if they are.
I could not commend this book more. Buy it well before you begin your cruise, it will pay for itself ten times over.
Sean Glynn, July 2024