The increased safety measures were triggered by a tragic accident near Cala Bona last summer. A young Mallorcan was killed when a yacht with a German crew collided with a small fishing boat. The German skipper has been charged with involuntary manslaughter in this connection and will stand trial in a court in Manacor in February.
More information on this and other boating accidents:
The initiative is also a reaction to increasing criticism of the overuse of waterways for tourism and the lack of controls on tourist activities on the water.
Patrol boats to protect coastal waters
The responsible Ministry for the Sea and Water Cycle has therefore now announced that a fleet of 22 speedboats will monitor and protect the sea around the archipelago in future. Divided into two task forces: Twelve boats will be assigned directly to the harbours, while the remaining ten boats will be used for patrols and inspections in coastal waters. The focus here will be on areas with high ecological value and high tourist traffic. "This represents a qualitative leap in our ability to monitor and manage the coast," said the responsible minister Juan Manuel Lafuente.
Stricter controls of the charter industry
The regulations for charter boats are also to be revised. The new regulations are intended to increase safety and combat illegal practices in boat hire, said Lafuente. The introduction of modern technology should also make inspections more efficient. The new surveillance boats will also be available to other authorities if required. The distribution of the boats will be "based on the operational requirements of the respective surveillance areas in order to ensure efficient coverage", said the minister.
