Ports IB Deploys a Fleet of 22 Units to Strengthen Maritime Safety, Control, and Sustainability
The President of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Margalida Prohens, has presented at the Port of Andratx the new coastal surveillance, inspection, and control service, coinciding with the arrival of the first two vessels of the fleet. She was accompanied by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sports, Jaume Bauzá; the Director General of Ports and Maritime Transport, Antoni Mercant; and the Manager of Ports IB, Francisco Villalonga.
This new service, promoted by Ports de les Illes Balears (Ports IB), involves the launch of a fleet of 22 vessels, divided into two separate operational groups.
Ten of these vessels will be dedicated to surveillance, inspection, and control tasks in coastal waters across all the islands. Their efforts will focus particularly on monitoring the recreational boating sector and will operate according to the specific needs of each area to ensure efficient coverage. Initially, these units will be assigned to the ports of Andratx, Sóller, Pollença, Cala Rajada, Porto Cristo, and Colònia de Sant Jordi (Mallorca); Ciutadella and Maó (Menorca); and Sant Antoni de Portmany and Eivissa (Ibiza and Formentera). However, they can be redeployed from any other point depending on service needs.
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President Prohens Presents the New Coastal Surveillance Service for the Balearic Islands with the Arrival of the First Two Vessels
Currently, two units have already arrived in Mallorca. One of them will soon be transferred to Menorca, while a third vessel, scheduled to arrive next week, will be assigned to Ibiza. Each unit will be operated by a skipper from the public company TRAGSATEC and a certified inspector, authorised to issue official reports during their maritime public domain control duties.
The service will be complemented by twelve additional vessels assigned to Ports IB’s directly managed ports. These units will support internal operations and streamline response to the operational needs of the ports, ensuring more efficient and coordinated management.
To ensure its effectiveness, the Consell de Govern approved last Friday the creation of fifteen new positions for Ports IB, including eight inspector posts (four for Mallorca, two for Menorca, and two for Ibiza and Formentera), as well as a service chief position to coordinate all operations from the new control centre.
This control centre, set to open soon, will serve as the operational coordination hub for the entire system. It will centralise services such as berth reservation management, buoy field monitoring, and coastal cleaning services. The centre will operate every day from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. and will provide open communication channels to address inquiries and incidents from citizens and other administrations.
The initiative also includes a pilot program using a drone, which will operate ten hours a day for one month to support coastal surveillance, yacht charter monitoring, beach supervision, and buoy field inspections.
The presentation event was also attended by the mayor of Andratx, representatives from the Andratx Yacht Club, and members of the Civil Guard, Maritime Rescue, and the Maritime Authority.
With this initiative, the Government of the Balearic Islands takes a further step in protecting the coastline, enhancing maritime safety, and promoting harmonious use of the coastal environment.