Log of the Week: Sailing News September 2025 (19 September)

September is busy for sailors. Boat shows open, race seasons move on, and new rules for cleaner ports keep coming. This roundup is part of our sailing news September 2025 series: short, clear updates that help you plan your next sail, refit, or winter project.

1) Southampton International Boat Show opens today

The UK’s big in-water show starts 19–28 September at Mayflower Park. Expect hands-on demos, new gear, and a new Innovation Zone for marine startups. Brands are using the show to launch products—Garmin teased fresh marine tech, and VETUS is showing full onboard systems (thrusters, electric drives, controls). If you’re near the Solent, it’s the easiest place this month to compare tech in person and ask questions directly to manufacturers.

2) Cannes Yachting Festival breaks records

Cannes wrapped with strong numbers and lots of debuts. The organiser reported 711 boats, 677 exhibitors, and around 56,000 visitors, with more than 140 world premieres. That scale matters: it sets the tone for layouts, interiors, and power systems we’ll see next season. If you’re planning a boat search or refit, skim the official wrap-ups to see where the market is going.

3) Iberian orcas: more incidents near Lisbon; Galicia warnings stay in place

In Portugal, a yacht sank near Caparica after orcas hit the rudder; everyone was rescued. In Galicia, authorities have warned sailors after two back-to-back interactions on August 30. Scientists continue to describe this as a learned behavior focused on rudders—not attacks on people. If you are routing north, check the daily advice and risk maps before moving.

4) Ocean Race Europe: Biotherm on top, one coastal race to go

Biotherm sealed the overall win after the final leg into Boka Bay, Montenegro. A last coastal race (Sep 20) will set the remaining places, but the headline is clear: consistent energy management and smart routing win long series. For cruisers, it’s another reminder that small gains in sail choice, battery planning, and pilot settings add up over a long passage.

5) SailGP Saint-Tropez hit by storms; results called early

Strong storms stopped racing on the second day at Saint-Tropez. Great Britain took the win based on the first day’s results; New Zealand and Spain followed. Weather shutdowns at pro events are rare, but they do happen—good lesson for all of us to keep a sharp eye on squall lines and lightning risk in busy bays.

6) Starlink keeps adding capacity this month

Two more launches this month added dozens of satellites, including 28 v2 Mini units on Sept 18 and 24 more on Sept 6. If you work from the boat or rely on cloud routing, capacity growth usually means better performance at peak times. Still, keep a backup: local SIM or marina Wi-Fi. Redundancy makes life afloat calmer.

7) Shore power: EU rules tighten, but ports run behind

From 2030, large passenger and container ships must plug into on-shore power (OPS) at key EU ports; this should reduce noise and air pollution for marina neighbors too. A July study found EU ports are well behind on OPS installs—only about 20% of needed connections are in place or contracted. Expect progress, but also patchy availability.

8) PFAS in sailing gear: phase-outs continue

“Forever chemicals” (PFAS) are being phased out by major brands and regulators. Helly Hansen says only a few offshore products still contain PFAS this season, with more phase-outs coming. For cruisers shopping foul-weather gear, look for PFAS-free DWR notes in specs; performance has improved a lot.

9) Eco-moorings expand across the Med

Projects to protect Posidonia are moving ahead. A WWF toolkit (June 2025) and regional resources explain how to set up eco-moorings that avoid seagrass damage, with a 2030 push for wide coverage for boats under 24 m. If you see an eco-mooring, use it—your keel and the meadow both win. (We also wrote a guide to these rules—linked below.)

Sailing Into a Greener Future

From big shows to big weather, and from satellites to seagrass, the theme is the same: smarter choices. If you’re catching up on sailing news September 2025, keep an eye on local orca advisories, try eco-moorings when you can, and plan your comms with a backup.

👉 More deep dives on Sailoscope:

• Posidonia Anchoring Rules in 2025 (easy guide)

• Best Marinas in Greece for Liveaboards (practical picks)

• Flexible vs Rigid Solar Panels for Boats (real-world installs)

  
  

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