So far in 2025, 40 sanction proceedings have been initiated for the illegal rental of boats, with proposed fines totalling over €170,000

The Minister of the Sea and Water Cycle, Juan Manuel Lafuente; Lieutenant Colonel Francisco Ramón Martínez; the head of the Civil Guard’s Maritime Service, Captain Francisco Córdoba; the Director General of Ports and Maritime Transport, Antoni Mercant; and the manager of PortsIB, Kiko Villalonga, presented this morning a new edition of the joint inspection campaign targeting vessels engaged in charter activities without complying with legal requirements or violating current regulations.

TDB keeps you informed. Follow us on: Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

Crackdown on Illegal Nautical Charters Intensifies in the Balearic Islands

This operation, coordinated by various public bodies, marks its seventh consecutive year and aims to clamp down on irregular activities related to passenger transport, illegal anchoring, and pick-ups at unauthorised locations. Inspections include checking documentation, licenses, and professional certifications of the captains.

“Eliminating illegal activities that endanger both safety and the marine environment of our islands is a top priority,” stressed Minister Juan Manuel Lafuente. “We cannot allow a few to compromise the natural resources of all, nor to create unfair competition against those who do comply with the rules.”

So far in 2025, 40 new proceedings have been opened—17 for minor offenses and 23 for serious offenses—with proposed fines totaling €173,100. In addition, over 45 additional reports and citations are still awaiting processing from the Civil Guard, Customs Surveillance Service, and technical staff from the Directorate General.

In 2024, a total of 153 sanction proceedings were opened in the Balearic Islands for violations related to boat rentals and maritime transport regulations. These included 64 minor and 89 serious offenses. Of these, 131 have already been processed, while 22 remain open. The total proposed fines amounted to €462,200.01.

Here is a breakdown of annual sanction data since 2019:

• 2019: 17 cases (8 minor, 9 serious) — €35,250
• 2020: 24 cases (6 minor, 15 serious) — €59,200
• 2021: 64 cases (35 minor, 27 serious, 2 very serious) — €77,000
• 2022: 101 cases (50 minor, 51 serious) — €122,360
• 2023: 109 cases (53 minor, 56 serious) — €125,020
• 2024: 153 cases (64 minor, 89 serious) — €462,200.01

From 2019 to 2024, the number of sanction proceedings has increased by 800%, highlighting the Balearic Government’s increasing investment in resources, personnel, and inter-institutional coordination to combat an activity that causes major environmental, economic, and safety impacts.

Minister Lafuente once again called for greater involvement from the Spanish Government in controlling illegal nautical activities, particularly regarding illegal anchoring and coastal policing, which fall under national jurisdiction.
“We’re not turning a blind eye: we’re making an effort that technically doesn’t fall under our competence—but we’ll continue to do so because too much is at stake,” he emphasized.