The Nautical Sector Debates on the Regulation of Boat Rentals in the Balearics

The Balearic Marine Cluster organized a debate on Thursday, March 6, on Decree 21/2017 concerning the Regulation of the Activity of Renting Recreational Boats and Ships in the Balearics and also addressed the changes, requirements, and application of the Maritime Navigation Regulation in the Balearics.

The debate, which featured the presence of the president of the Balearic Marine Cluster, Guillermo García, and the president of the Port Authority, Javier Sanz, gathered more than 30 attendees interested in firsthand knowledge of the status of these two regulations.

Directed and moderated by José Luis Miró, journalist and deputy director of Mallorca Press and Gaceta Náutica, the event included interventions from Pedro Gil, President of the Association of Charter Companies of the Balearic Islands (AECIB), Leon Von Ondarza, lawyer and director of LVOF Abogados, and Toni Frau, CEO and founder of Sa Calma Boats.

In an initial intervention, Leon Von Ondarza detailed the status of the Maritime Navigation Regulation in the Balearics. He explained the changes and requirements focused on the dispatch and registration of vessels. Additionally, he detailed the use of the Declaration of Responsibility (DR) and requirements for vessels under Spanish and EU flags, as well as inspection and authorization requirements for commercial activities.

During the debate, there was also a deep dive into Decree 21/2017. Specifically, restrictions for renting boats in the Balearics according to the Decree, the application of the Maritime Navigation Regulation in boat rentals, as well as base port requirements and commercial activities for list 7 vessels were discussed.

In his speech, Toni Frau further explained the contents of articles 13 and 14. In his view, these articles "need to be more precise." Meanwhile, Pedro Gil highlighted that we are experiencing a "regression" in regulation. "Not everyone is prepared to lease boats and it is necessary to require a responsible person who can certify basic nautical knowledge," he added.