Balearic Government launches new enforcement campaign against illegal boat charter operations

So far in 2026, 35 sanction proceedings have already been initiated for illegal boat rental activities, with proposed fines exceeding €92,000.

The Government of the Balearic Islands and the Guardia Civil have launched a new edition of their joint inspection and surveillance operation targeting illegal boat charter activities, an initiative that this year reaches its eighth consecutive edition.

The Director General of Ports and Maritime Transport, Antoni Mercant; the head of the Guardia Civil Maritime Service, Captain Francisco Córdoba; and the managing director of PortsIB, Kico Villalonga, today presented the joint enforcement campaign for the Balearic coastline.

“Irregular activities linked to the nautical charter sector not only create unfair competition, but can also pose risks to maritime safety and environmental protection. For this reason, we maintain constant coordination between public administrations and enforcement agencies to ensure compliance with current regulations,” said Director General Antoni Mercant.

Since the beginning of 2026, 35 sanction proceedings have already been opened for illegal boat charter operations, with proposed fines totaling more than €92,000. This figure is in addition to over 70 reports and inspection records still awaiting processing, submitted by the Guardia Civil, the Customs Surveillance Service, Environmental Officers, and technical staff from the Directorate General.

During 2025, authorities initiated 162 sanction proceedings related to violations of maritime transport and boat charter regulations. Of these, 100 were classified as minor offences, 58 as serious offences, and four as very serious offences. The proposed fines amounted to €471,600.01.

The operation includes inspections of documentation, administrative permits, professional qualifications, and service conditions, as well as actions targeting the illegal transport of passengers, the collection of passengers at unauthorized locations, and illegal anchoring activities.

As part of the campaign, PortsIB showcased one of the vessels assigned to the Balearic Government’s Coastal Surveillance, Inspection and Control Service. The fleet consists of 22 operational units distributed across the islands and plays a key role in strengthening maritime safety, monitoring coastal activities, and supporting environmental protection efforts.

Since 2019, the number of sanction proceedings initiated for illegal activities linked to the nautical charter sector has increased by 853%, rising from 17 cases that year to the 162 recorded in 2025.