The Government supervised a control operation at the Port d'Andratx on Wednesday to verify that vessels comply with regulations. Councillor Juan Manuel Lafuente warned that they will not allow offenders to compete on equal terms with those who operate legally.
The Government has focused on one of the most exclusive ports in Mallorca, Port d'Andratx, to intensify the fight against illegal nautical chartering. A delegation led by the Councillor for the Sea and Water Cycle, Juan Manuel Lafuente, accompanied by the mayor of Andratx, Estefanía Gonzalvo, and the Director General of Ports and Maritime Transport, Antoni Mercant, has supervised the work of the inspectors from the Coastal Surveillance, Inspection and Control Service on site.
This action is part of the control calendar that the Balearic Executive carries out during the months of greatest nautical activity in the ports and coastal areas of the Balearic Islands. The agents have checked that the vessels operating in this enclave have the necessary documentation and authorisations, as well as the required professional qualifications and the appropriate conditions to provide rental or passenger transport services.
Lafuente was emphatic in stating that "we cannot allow those who violate the rules to compete on equal terms with those who meet their obligations, have the necessary authorisations and offer all guarantees to users." The councillor insisted that the goal is not only to detect violations but to consolidate a model in which nautical activity is developed in an orderly, safe manner and with the same rules for everyone.
The fight against illegal chartering requires, according to Lafuente, a combination of on-site surveillance, processing of cases, and coordination between different administrations. In this sense, the action is integrated into the cross-cutting strategy promoted by the Government through the Anti-Intrusion Table, a body that fosters collaboration between administrations, social agents, and economic sectors to identify illegal practices, improve information exchange, and coordinate prevention and control measures.
In the nautical field, this coordination is particularly relevant to combat unfair competition and protect a professional sector that generates economic activity and employment, and which is subject to specific requirements regarding safety, authorisations, and environmental protection.
The control device this season includes 22 operational vessels distributed across the islands. The Coastal Surveillance, Inspection and Control Service carries out scheduled actions and also responds to reports related to possible irregularities in maritime activity.
The deployment is complemented by the eighth campaign against illegal nautical chartering. During 2025, 162 sanctioning cases were initiated for violations related to maritime transport and vessel rental, with proposed fines amounting to €471,600. In the first months of 2026, 35 cases had already been initiated, with proposed fines exceeding €92,000.
The inspection day at Port d'Andratx occurs at a time of maximum tourist activity in the area, where the pressure on maritime resources and the demand for boat excursions increase significantly. Residents and visitors of this port, one of the most exclusive on the island, can expect a greater presence of inspectors in the coming weeks, as well as an increase in controls at other points along the Balearic coast.
The mayor of Andratx, Estefanía Gonzalvo, accompanied the inspectors on their tour and expressed the council's support for these actions, which aim to ensure legality and safety in a port that is an economic engine for the municipality.
The Government has reminded that citizen collaboration is key to reporting possible irregularities, and that any reports about vessels operating without the proper authorisation can be sent to the Coastal Surveillance, Inspection and Control Service.
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