The Balearic Government opens a public consultation to regulate nautical charter

This week, the procedure for prior public consultation for the amendment of Decree 21/2017, of May 5, which regulates the activity of renting pleasure boats and vessels in the Balearic Islands, will be published on the website of the General Directorate of Ports and Maritime Transport.

The Minister of the Sea and Water Cycle of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Juan Manuel Lafuente, presented this participatory procedure today, December 14, at a press conference held at the headquarters of the Ministry. During his speech, Lafuente emphasized that this phase is an opportunity to update the current regulations, adapting them to the new needs arising from the increase in nautical activity in the Balearics. "Nautical rental is a strategic activity for our community, both for its economic impact and for the need to ensure that it is carried out safely, transparently, and respectfully towards the environment," the minister pointed out.

Furthermore, he insisted on the importance of public participation during this initial stage, since the contributions received will be key to defining the main axes of the future regulatory modification: "We want to listen to all parties involved, from citizens to companies, to build efficient, modern, and sustainable regulation that responds to the current challenges of the sector," he added.

The minister explained that, since the approval of Decree 21/2017, both state and regional regulations have evolved, necessitating an update to adjust to the current legal framework. Additionally, the notable growth in nautical rental activity in recent years has generated new needs that require regulation.

For his part, the Director General of Ports and Maritime Transport, Antoni Mercant, who also participated in the presentation, highlighted the main objectives posed in the prior consultation. Among them, he mentioned the need to reinforce control of nautical rental, combat professional intrusion, and ensure environmental sustainability, as well as to facilitate regulatory compliance through more accessible digital tools.

The public consultation procedure aims to open a space for citizens and interested entities to express their opinions on the issues that could be included or modified in the decree.

Among the issues raised are:

• Concept of nautical rental: Specify the scope of this activity to combat illegal chartering and ensure that all operators comply with legal requirements. 
• Digitalization of procedures: Implement a unique telematic system that facilitates the submission of the responsible declaration and streamlines administrative procedures. 
• Adjustments in requirements and documentation: Adapt the conditions required to the new realities of the sector. 
• Regulation of the Balearic vessel registry: Creation and development of a specific registry that allows greater control of activities. 
• Good practices: Promote responsible practices that ensure the protection of the marine environment and proper use of available resources. 

The prior public consultation will be available on the Portal of the General Directorate of Maritime Transport, where interested parties can send their proposals through the enabled channels. This process will be open for 10 days, allowing the active participation of citizens, associations, and companies in the sector.

Once the prior public consultation is completed, the Government will analyze all contributions received and work on drafting the amendment to the Decree. This draft will be subjected to a public exposure process and a period will be opened for the presentation of claims, thus ensuring the continuous participation of stakeholders before the final approval.