The historic trawler ‘Rafael’ docks in the Port of Palma

The Consell de Mallorca is restoring this traditional llaüt-type vessel to ensure its preservation and to use it for activities promoting the island’s maritime heritage.

Consell de Mallorca’s president, Llorenç Galmés, and second vice president and councillor for Environment, Rural Affairs and Sports, Pedro Bestard, welcomed the barca de bou Rafael, upon its arrival in Mallorca. This traditional Mallorcan llaüt-type vessel, docked in the Port of Palma after its departure from Palamós, where it had been moored.

Following its return to Mallorca, the vessel will be managed by the Maritime Heritage Unit of the island’s governing institution, where it will undergo a conservation plan and be dedicated to educational and outreach activities focused on traditional boats, fishing, and other aspects of the island’s maritime heritage. Also present at the reception of the traditional Mallorcan boat were the Director of Environment, Lluís Rubí, and Maritime Heritage technician, Bernat Oliver.

President Galmés expressed his satisfaction, stating: “It’s a great joy to see the Rafael return to Mallorca—a vessel of great heritage value that is now 110 years old. It was built at the Llompart shipyards in Palma, and with its return to the island, the Consell is recovering it for all the people of Mallorca.” For his part, the Minister of Environment explained: “In the coming days, the vessel will be transferred to the mestres d’aixa workshop, to begin preparations for its future restoration.” He added that the ‘Rafael’ “will be used for outreach activities related to the island’s maritime heritage and traditional lateen-sail navigation.”

The ‘Rafael’ is a traditional fishing vessel with over 110 years of history and remains in seaworthy condition. However, the Department of Environment plans to carry out an ambitious restoration project that will involve a thorough and careful assessment of its current state and the replacement of any deteriorated elements, following traditional mestres d’aixa (shipwright) techniques.

This will be a rigorous intervention, in line with heritage laws governing elements under maximum protection. During its time in the workshop, the Rafael will be visited primarily by school groups, who will be able to experience first-hand the cultural and historical significance of the vessel.

In 1915, Jaume Picornell Barceló and brothers Rafael and Bartomeu Font Bosch commissioned the Llompart shipyards in Palma to build two llaüts designed for pair trawling. This is how the ‘Rafael’ and the ‘Bartolomé’ were born, following the traditional boatbuilding practices of Mallorca’s mestres d’aixa.

Unlike its twin, the Bartolomé, the Rafael remained in the hands of Joan Font Picornell’s family—the last skipper—until his retirement, when the vessel was transferred to the recreational boat registry. This change is what ultimately prevented its dismantling and has allowed the ‘Rafael’ to remain in sailable condition today.

The ‘Rafael’ is a first-generation barca de bou, originally built to fish under sail, relying solely on wind power for propulsion. Measuring 12.90 meters in length, 4.40 meters in beam, and 1.33 meters in depth, it was built using holm oak and olive wood for the frames and pine for the planking, with a capacity for 25 passengers.

The Consell de Mallorca and the current owner of the barca de bou Rafael have signed a collaboration agreement, establishing the temporary free-use transfer of the vessel until the purchase process by the island institution is completed. Once acquired and restored, the boat will be used for promotional and educational activities related to environmental and maritime heritage, in a similar way to how the Balear, another active vessel owned by the Consell de Mallorca, is currently being used.