Following an information notice issued by the Professional Yachting Association (PYA), a new wave of concerns surrounding yachts entering the Balearics is circulating the industry. The main emphasis of the notice is that the requirements concerning all non-EU flagged vessels and all vessels with non-EU crew on board are currently under particular focus by the ‘Mallorcan police border office’.
Pat Bullock of Network Marine Consultants alerted SuperyachtNews.com to the issue after receiving a significant amount of communications from concerned brokers and captains in reaction to the notice. She believes that it may be causing undue stress and discouraging yachts from the destination completely.
“It is a good thing and all of the captains I have spoken to are actually happy about it,” explains Bullock. “Because now it is simple for yachts to check in when they arrive, whereas before it was very complicated. And when yachts do arrive with non-EU crew, they have the immigration police ready to check them in.”
With the confusion in the industry surrounding Spanish regulations for superyachts seemingly continuing, it is about time that the focus on Mallorca shifted to be more positive. The region is gaining ground in opening itself up for charter and there has been a significant increase in charter licence applications as a result. The fact that the port authorities are catching up and becoming more professional is an important auxiliary to growing the industry here further.
The PYA notice, which is referenced to in this article, can be read here.
Pat Bullock of Network Marine Consultants alerted SuperyachtNews.com to the issue after receiving a significant amount of communications from concerned brokers and captains in reaction to the notice. She believes that it may be causing undue stress and discouraging yachts from the destination completely.
Palma de Mallorca. Image courtesy of Michael Kurtz | Pantaenius
“It is true that there are border police in Mallorca, the Guardia Civil, but they have always been here,” says Bullock. “The difference is that they have become more organised recently.” As a result of the increased organisation of the security authorities, the Guardia Civil have indeed been conducting more checks, but while the PYA notice seems to portray this in a negative light, Bullock is keen to emphasise that this is in fact a positive step.“It is a good thing and all of the captains I have spoken to are actually happy about it,” explains Bullock. “Because now it is simple for yachts to check in when they arrive, whereas before it was very complicated. And when yachts do arrive with non-EU crew, they have the immigration police ready to check them in.”
With the confusion in the industry surrounding Spanish regulations for superyachts seemingly continuing, it is about time that the focus on Mallorca shifted to be more positive. The region is gaining ground in opening itself up for charter and there has been a significant increase in charter licence applications as a result. The fact that the port authorities are catching up and becoming more professional is an important auxiliary to growing the industry here further.
The PYA notice, which is referenced to in this article, can be read here.
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