“It is crucial to put an end to activities that jeopardise safety and the environment in our waters”, says councillor Lafuente.
The councillor for the Sea and Water Cycle, Juan Manuel Lafuente; the lieutenant colonel of the Civil Guard, Francisco Martínez, and the head of the Maritime Service of the Civil Guard, Captain Francisco Córdoba, accompanied by the director general of Ports and Maritime Transport, Antoni Mercant, this morning presented the campaign to control and inspect vessels that carry out nautical charter activities without complying with legal requirements or failing to comply with other applicable regulations.
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The Govern and the Guardia Civil join forces in the fight against illegal nautical charters
This year’s campaign marks the fourth consecutive year in which joint operations are carried out between different public bodies with powers in the control and surveillance of the maritime terrestrial domain to intensify the fight against illegal nautical charters.
This coordinated exercise aims to control and inspect irregular activities related to the commercial activity of passenger transport, as well as anchoring in illegal areas or picking up people at points not authorised for this purpose. Checks are also carried out on documentation and permits, as well as on skippers’ licences.
“It is crucial to put an end to illegal activities that compromise the safety and the environment in our waters,” said the councillor Juan Manuel Lafuente: “These controls not only protect our marine resources but also ensure that all operators comply with the same rules, guaranteeing fair competition.
Since the start of inspections this season, 44 sanctioning proceedings have been opened for infringements related to the rental of recreational boats in the Balearic Islands. Of these 44 cases, 32 correspond to minor infringements and 12 to serious infringements, with penalties totalling 43,100 euros.
“Collaboration between different bodies is essential to maintain the integrity of our coasts and the safety of those who use them,” said Lafuente, who acknowledged that the “commitment of the Government is to continue intensifying these efforts throughout the season.
The Directorate General of Ports and Maritime Transport and the Maritime Service of the Guardia Civil will continue with these controls on the different islands to intensify the supervision of irregular activities related to nautical charters and thus avoid unfair competition and improper use of the coast. “We want to send a clear message: we will not tolerate illegal activities that put our natural and economic heritage at risk,” stressed the councillor.
The history of sanctioning proceedings for illegal boat and pleasure boat rental activities in the Balearic Islands is as follows:
In 2019, 17 sanctioning proceedings were opened, of which 8 were for minor infringements and 9 for serious infringements, with a total penalty of 35,250 euros.
In 2020, 24 proceedings were opened, of which 6 were for minor infringements and 15 for serious infringements, totalling 59,200 euros in penalties.
In 2021, 64 proceedings were opened, of which 35 were for minor infringements, 27 for minor infringements and 2 for very serious infringements, with a total of 77,000 euros in penalties.
In 2022, 101 proceedings were opened, of which 50 were for minor infringements and 51 for serious infringements, with a total penalty of 122,360 euros.
In 2023, 109 proceedings were opened, of which 53 were for minor infringements and 56 for serious infringements, totalling 125,020 euros in penalties.
The increase in the initiation of sanctioning proceedings in the last five years, from 2019 to 2023, is 541.18%.