ACNB holds its General Assembly at the Club Nàutic Sa Ràpita

Marga Prohens states that these entities contribute to social cohesion and serve as a school of values such as effort, respect and teamwork. Toni Estades, president of ACNB, describes the reform of the Balearic Ports Law as a “milestone” that recognizes the work of the clubs and paves the way for the continuity of their concessions.

The President of the Government of the Balearic Islands, Marga Prohens, attended the General Assembly of the Association of Nautical Clubs of the Balearic Islands (ACNB), held at the facilities of the recently renovated Club Nàutic Sa Ràpita, in the municipality of Campos.

The presence of the president was especially appreciated by ACNB, whose president, Antoni Estades, thanked both her attendance and the support provided by the Popular Party for the recent amendment to the Balearic Ports Law. This reform extends the maximum term of port concessions to 50 years, allows for extensions up to that limit, and, most importantly, represents an explicit recognition of the social role played by the nautical clubs under the Balearic Government.

The new regulation also opens the door for these non-profit sports entities to access direct awards in the future, in recognition of their role as platforms for access to the sea for residents and as promoters of sporting activity.

During his speech, Antoni Estades described the legal reform, approved by the Balearic Parliament with the support of the PP and VOX, as a true “milestone” for popular boating. He stated that it lays the foundations to ensure the continuity of nautical clubs, provided they maintain the social and sporting function set out in their statutes and qualify for recognition as being of public interest under regional sports legislation.

“Although from the beginning of the legislature there was a clear greater interest from the administration in maritime affairs, with initiatives such as the creation of the Ministry of the Sea, the establishment of the Maritime Board, or the launch of the Blue Week, we never thought we could achieve our main goal of reforming the Ports Law in such a short period of time,” Estades said.

The president of ACNB added that the association is “very satisfied” with the progress achieved and congratulated the Balearic Government for placing the sustainable development of nautical activities and the support of clubs among its priorities.

The regional president praised the work of the clubs and their commitment to sport. “When we talk about nautical clubs,” she said, “we are not only talking about berths or infrastructure. We are talking about entities that have brought the sea closer to generations of Mallorcans, Menorcans, Ibizans, and Formenterans.”

Prohens said that the clubs and their sailing schools contribute to “sports training, coexistence, and social cohesion,” and highlighted that this work “has helped thousands of young people discover the sea and learn values such as effort, responsibility, respect, and teamwork.”

“That is the great value of nautical clubs and also the great difference of the Balearic model,” she concluded.

Estades also expressed his wish that the progress made in regional ports could in the future be extended to facilities managed by the central State, with the aim of establishing homogeneous criteria for all nautical clubs. In this regard, he positively assessed the tender specifications for the former concessions of the Ibiza Nautical Club and the Mahón Yacht Club, considering that they have a clearly sporting orientation and limit access for operators interested solely in the commercial exploitation of port public domain.

The General Assembly also paid tribute to former ACNB president Miquel Suñer for his career at the head of the Spanish Confederation of Associations of Nautical Clubs (CEACNA), an organization he helped create and from which he promoted significant improvements for nautical and maritime clubs across Spain.

During the tribute, Rafael Palmer, manager and legal advisor of ACNB, highlighted Suñer’s leadership in defending the interests of the sector. According to him, the honoree not only led the demands of Balearic clubs but also those of the entire country, participating in high-level institutional meetings where, he said, “he managed to convince with his clarity and wisdom.” “Nautical sports owe him a great deal,” he added.

The meeting also included the participation of the Director General of Ports and Maritime Transport, Antonio Mercant, and the President of the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands. In addition, the Balearic sailing and canoeing federations, represented by their presidents Cati Darder and Juan Carlos Fuentes respectively, presented a review of the outstanding sporting results achieved in both disciplines linked to nautical clubs throughout 2025.