French Polynesia’s Directorate of Maritime Affairs (DPAM) is sending out “ambassadors” to some of the country’s most popular cruising lagoons and anchorages as part of an information campaign to educate cruisers about the upcoming implementation of the Escales reservation and payment system for mooring locations around the islands.

Published 2 days ago

What is the Escales System?

The Polynesian Directorate of Maritime Affairs (DPAM) is developing and deploying the new Escales service which is aimed at organizing and securing port calls and vessel berthing within the internal waters of French Polynesia.

This service seeks to enhance safety, protect the marine environment, and ensure the satisfaction of all—whether cruise ship passengers, yacht crews, island residents, or service providers. Currently the system is being used for cruise ships and pleasure yachts over 20 meters in length. DPAM intends to soon extend the Escales system to cover to all recreational vessels sailing in French Polynesian waters.

Mediators to Explain the new System

Source:  TNTV.TE news*

In a statement (reported on the TNTV.TE news website), French Polynesia’s Minister of Land and Maritime Transport, Jordy Chan, announced the deployment by the Directorate of Maritime Affairs (DPAM), of the first ambassadors or “mediators” who will work in the lagoons of Raiatea and Taha’a.

During November, six other ambassadors will be distributed among Taiarapu West, Huahine, Fakarava, and then in Moorea by December.

The first six “mediators” were sent to Raiatea and Taha’a lagoons to get in touch with sea users, including boaters, in order to explain the regulations to them and “prevent conflicts” with local residents.

“In total, it is a question of covering 382 anchorages spread over 73 regulated anchorage areas,” says the press release.

Direct Point of Communication

“These mediators, sensitive to the protection of the lagoon and the tourist reception, represent a direct point of communication to the public. Multilingual and mobile, they will facilitate the dissemination of clear and accessible information, “adds the Ministry.

“Their missions will be “to get in touch with users, explain the applicable rules and familiarise them in how to the use the ESCALES teleservice and thus prevent conflicts between residents and boaters.

A “benevolent and pedagogical approach” that “aims to promote a gradual appropriation of the rules before the establishment of a stricter regulatory regime in the first quarter of 2026,” the press release emphasises.

It is indeed planned “to make the reservation process mandatory on the ESCALES teleservice” in order to “establish a pricing adapted to this type of occupation of the lagoon”.

The Escales System – pilot phase

For pleasure vessels under 20 meters, the launch of this new service was scheduled for 2025. The administration plans to initiate a pilot phase in select popular anchorage areas before gradually expanding the service throughout the Polynesian territory. The DPAM is working closely with local communities and municipalities to ensure the success of this project.

For more information visit:

• A new management service for port calls and vessel berthing in French Polynesia

*Translated using Google Translate.

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Related Links

• Polynesian Directorate of Maritime Affairs (DPAM
• Escales service

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