‘A timely alert is your best lifesaver’: This is the summer nautical safety campaign

With the projection of a series of short videos featuring advice from nautical industry professionals and nautical safety experts, the presentation of the Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility’s summer nautical safety campaign has begun. This campaign is promoted by the Directorate General of the Merchant Marine and Maritime Rescue, in collaboration with the Civil Guard and the National Association of Nautical Companies (ANEN).

Carlos Sanlorenzo, legal and institutional advisor of ANEN, spoke on behalf of the Association, thanking the Directorate General of the Merchant Marine and Maritime Rescue for the opportunity to collaborate once again in the campaign. He then referred to the nautical market data, which, after three years of exponential growth post-pandemic, shows a return to normality. In contrast to the drop in sales of recreational boats, particularly in the segment of boats under 6 meters, nautical activity consumption continues to grow year after year, as evidenced by the 70,000 new nautical licenses issued last year, Carlos Sanlorenzo explained.

Next, the director of Maritime Rescue, José Luis García Lena, detailed the actions planned for the campaign and emphasized the goal of raising awareness among people to take necessary measures and precautions to avoid risks in aquatic activities. During the summer, "48% of the total emergencies attended by Maritime Rescue are related to recreational boating," explained the director of Maritime Rescue.

The director general of the Merchant Marine, Gustavo Santana, after presenting the campaign's spot, which he described as impactful in showing the reality of a nautical accident episode, insisted that these situations can be prevented if all appropriate measures are taken, including checking safety equipment, communicating the navigation plan to a close relative, checking fuel, and, very importantly, ensuring the proper functioning of radio communication elements.

The event was concluded by the Secretary General of Air and Maritime Transport, Benito Núñez, who referred to the growth of recreational nautical activity in recent years, which also increases the risk of accidents, and insisted that to enjoy the sea, one must do so safely. "The best emergency is the one that never occurs," expressed Benito Núñez, and for that, the commitment of everyone involved in recreational boating is necessary, including users, companies, institutions, and the administration. The Secretary General of Air and Maritime Transport highlighted ANEN's work for its contribution to the development of a sector that generates prosperity and for its collaboration with the DGMM in developing regulations that promote the safe practice of nautical activities.