AENIB brings together the nautical sector at its XVI Gala of the Sea

The Association of Marine Industries of the Balearic Islands (AENIB) held on Thursday the sixteenth edition of its traditional Gala del Mar, preceded by the Annual General Assembly of the entity. The meeting was held at Palma Centre Port (Institutional Building of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands) and included, as every year, the annual dinner and the Nautical Sector Awards Ceremony.

The event was attended by more than 150 people, including the most prominent personalities of the sector, the senior staff of the Balearic marine employers and a large representation of authorities, including the Minister of Enterprise, Employment and Energy, Alejandro Saenz de San Pedro, the Minister of the Sea and Water Cycle, Juan Manuel Lafuente Mir, the president of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands (APB), Javier Sanz, the Maritime Captain of Palma, Jose F. Escalas, and the president of the Confederation of Business Associations of the Balearic Islands (CAEB), Carmen Planas, among many other authorities.

This year, the evening has presented a renewed format, more festive and relaxed, showing society the more cheerful and lively side of the sector, without undermining the economic and social importance of sailing to the Balearic community.

After the Annual Assembly of AENIB, in which the Honorary President Margarita Dahlberg, legal advisor Sandra Mayrata and the current president, Jaume Vaquer, took the floor the head of communication of the entity, Carlos Hellin, who gave a presentation on how Balearic nautical companies can take advantage of the tools of communication and image. He was followed by the General Director of ANEN, Jordi Carrasco, who spoke about the new legislation affecting the sector.

After the presentations, the 16th Gala of the Sea began. First, the president of the APB, Javier Sanz, welcomed the attendees, stressing the good relations between the entity he heads and AENIB, which he described as "an exemplary entity with over 40 years of history and a key role in representing the interests of the nautical sector, a sector of strategic importance. He also advocated "public-private collaboration to build the ports of the future, based on economic, environmental and social sustainability", and concluded by showing APB's open hand to continue collaborating with AENIB. "It is a pleasure to host this great and consolidated event", he concluded. 

This was followed by the Councilor for Enterprise, Employment and Energy, Alejandro Saenz de San Pedro, who highlighted "the important work in the field of training of nautical centers such as CIFP L'Embat, a reference center available to the sector".

At this point in the evening, the president of AENIB, Jaume Vaquer, gave his traditional annual speech, in which he stressed that "the Balearic marine industry remains a national leader and a reference at international level. Although we live in confusing and uncertain times, and there is no doubt that the waters we have to navigate are turbulent, among the virtues that every good sailor should have, I want to highlight the temperance and optimism. So this is my message to all of you at this 16th Gala of the Sea. Let's remain calm to make the best decisions, let's trust the winds, our boat and ourselves, let's sail with optimism through all the calms and storms we have to sail through and, above all, let's never forget the most important thing: to enjoy the crossing", he added.

After the speeches, it was time for those entities especially committed to the nautical sector in 2023 to receive the recognition of the sector's employers through the XVI Nautical Sector Awards Ceremony.

The award for 'Loyalty and permanence in AENIB' has gone this year to Echo Marine Service, for his great contribution to the Balearic marine industry over the past 25 years. Founded 30 years ago by Erik Hansen, this award-winning company has become an example of solvency and professionalism in the field of repairs and installations of watermakers and electronic installations on board. The award was collected by Vicky Gómez from the hands of the councilor Sáenz de San Pedro. 

The award for 'Outstanding professional career' went to Sasga Yachts, a shipyard founded in 1978 in Mahón and famous for its cruising boats inspired by the elegance of the traditional fishing llaüt, a symbol of class, quality and above all, respect for tradition while still offering the most modern features. Sebastián Sastre received the award, presented by the Councillor for the Sea and Water Cycle, Juan Manuel Lafuente Mir. During his speech, Sastre vindicated "dedication and effort" in the nautical field in order to "not only sail the seas, but also to sail into the future".

The award for the 'Entity that has demonstrated collaboration with the nautical sector during the year 2023' has gone to the Ens Públic de Radiotelevisió de les Illes Balears (IB3). This public institution has shown in recent years a genuine interest in sailing and the sector that supports this broad conglomerate of activities and has played an important role in the dissemination of nautical culture among the public, contributing decisively to our islands' lives, less and less, with their backs to the sea. Mar Comin, director of IB3 TV, received the award from the hands of President Vaquer. "It is a real honor for IB3 to receive this award," said Comin. "We are aware that we are an archipelago, it is important that our cameras focus on this sea that surrounds us and its sector. We hope to embark on many more projects with you and that they come to fruition," he concluded.

As a novelty this year, in addition to the traditional categories of the Nautical Sector Awards, AENIB has awarded two special recognitions to entities that have stood out for their work in favor of nautical training.

Thus, the award for 'Promoting the development of Vocational Training in the Balearic marine industry' was presented to Miquel Mestre, director of the Integrated Vocational Training Centre (CIFP) L'Embat, whose final facilities were inaugurated this year in the Polígono de Son Castelló, with the mission to provide the sector with qualified personnel and, at the same time, offer young people eager to work a key training to access very interesting job opportunities. The former president of AENIB, Margarita Dahlberg, who played a leading role in the negotiations to get this center up and running, presented the award. Mestre highlighted "values such as education, respect, commitment and responsibility" and the importance of human capital. He assured that "L'Embat's new facilities are fantastic and its crew even better". At this point, he thanked "wholeheartedly" Margarita Dahlberg and Jaume Vaquer for their role in achieving this training center and the employers for opening the doors to young people who want to do work experience in the sector and start a professional career. 

Likewise, recognition for 'Work in the field of nautical training in the Balearic Islands' was awarded to Miguel Ángel Rayo Bordoy, from the Jovent Cooperative, a non-profit organization that promotes the social and labor integration of young people and other groups with factors of vulnerability and which develops a dual training programme in the nautical sector, in the branches of ports and nautical mechanics, contributing to improving the human capital of companies while guaranteeing a contract to unemployed young people while they train in a trade of the future. Jaume Vaquer has given the organization an electric motor to be used in their training courses. "We believe in young people and their potential to build a better and fairer world. We understand training as a tool for social transformation, and we will continue to work to bring added value to the business fabric", he said. 

Afterwards, a video was shown on the origin of the awards, handmade in Santanyí stone by the renowned artist Gori Uceda in representation of a typical Mallorcan 'llaüt'. It was based on 'Últim', a real boat built at the beginning of the 70's and which is still preserved and sails every year in the procession of the Virgen del Carmen in Porto Cristo.

Finally, the Councilor for the Sea and Water Cycle, Juan Manuel Lafuente Mir, took the floor, emphasizing "the weight of the nautical sector in the Balearics, which includes entrepreneurs, workers, enthusiasts, customers, clubs, ports, facilities and nautical transport and carriers". He acknowledged that the sector "has often been undervalued, by society as a whole and even by those of us who are passionate about the sea" and claimed that "it deserves the social recognition of society and government". He also stressed that "nautical companies are the first to be concerned about the environment and sustainability", he noted that "the nautical sector is one of the most passionate about what they do" and said goodbye claiming the "passion for the sea".

The awards ceremony was followed by the annual dinner, which this year was more relaxed and informal than in previous editions, with a finger food type menu, in line with the renewed format of the event as a whole. At this point, it should be noted that the dinner was served by ASPAS Café, a non-profit organization whose aim is to promote the integration of people with disabilities into the labor market. Declared a public utility, it works to generate employment mainly for people with hearing disabilities and to promote the transition of its users to the ordinary workplace. ASPAS Café currently manages 3 restaurants and a catering service and employs 75 people, 70% of whom have some kind of recognised disability.