Berthing Rules Change in Beaulieu

Written by Michael Healy, May 2007

Disgruntled of Beaulieu

In mid-March, Marina shareholders in Beaulieu were informed that the mairie would no longer sign new Contrats d'Amodiation – the documents authorising occupation of a given berth. As a result, all transfers are blocked as anyone buying the necessary shares in the Port Company cannot use the berth attached. Shares pay no dividend but simply give a right to a berth - or did! The maire's decision stems from a case pending in the Marseilles Court of Appeals about problems in Port St Laurent du Var. Disputes about use of the “seashore”by private persons have arisen over the last decade thanks to excessive speculation in the lucrative market for yacht berths. In Port Canto (Cannes) the mairie simply took over the (private) marina; as also in Théoule for La Figueirette, and recently in Eze with the tiny port of Silva Maris. This has meant that shareholders have lost their stake – perhaps a lot of money – though they could keep their berth by paying rent to the mairie.

All of this has alarmed shareholders and maddened those trying to buy or sell. However, a take-over by the mairie is unlikely in Beaulieu – the move is just excessive legal caution which has not been applied in any other Riviera marina except Antibes Port Vauban. Also, on April 20 the Préfect expressed concern about the situation which could seriously affect Riviera yachting. So until the ban is lifted, a seller can still offer his berth to the Capitainerie for renting – to the intended buyer.

As everyone knows (except for perhaps the first-time boat buyer whose broker has neglected to tell him he needs a space to park his new boat) there is a desperate berth shortage on the Riviera. And now there is a serious plan to outlaw anchoring either side of Cap Ferrat and allow yachts only to secure to special moorings to be laid (maybe in 2009) in order to protect the posidonia seaweed from destruction by boat anchors. The town of Beaulieu has just withdrawn from this scheme, leaving only Villefranche and St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Hurray – grounds for regruntling!

From Riviera Reporter Issue 121, June/July 2007

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