The ‘Rafael Verdera’, more than 180 years sailing thanks to a family preserving its legacy

There are boats that sail, and boats that tell stories. The Rafael Verdera undoubtedly belongs to the latter category. Built in Ibiza in 1841, it is now the oldest vessel in the Spanish fleet still in active service, a true jewel of maritime heritage that continues to sail thanks to the efforts of the family that has kept it alive generation after generation.

This was explained on Passion for the Sea by its current captain, Iñaki Arizmendi, who shared the history and present-day life of this unique vessel. “It was a cargo ship that transported goods between the Balearic Islands, mainland Spain, and the French coast,” he recalled.

Although the recent history of the Rafael Verdera begins in the 1980s, when Iñaki’s father found it abandoned in Ibiza. “My father found it abandoned and managed to acquire it in order to begin restoring it,” he explained. From that moment on, the boat ceased to be just a vessel and became the center of an entire family way of life. “For us, it has been the most normal thing in the world, like a floating home,” Iñaki said, recalling how both he and his sister grew up on board.

The truth is, however, that maintaining a vessel of this kind is no simple matter, as it requires constant dedication, investment, and, above all, finding a way to make it sustainable. In the case of the Rafael Verdera, that formula has been to offer on-board experiences, always with an authentic approach that respects tradition. “Everything we do is entirely aimed at maintaining the boat,” Arizmendi said.

Far from more conventional offerings, the goal is for those who come aboard to experience the sea in a different way. “We try to offer the most authentic experiences possible, showing how people used to sail in the old days,” he explained. In fact, the experience is fully participatory: passengers help with sailing, life on board, and even fishing, becoming sailors for a few days.

This year, moreover, the Rafael Verdera is reviving one of its most emblematic voyages: whale and dolphin watching trips. “We’re bringing back the sightings this summer, returning a little to the origins of our story,” the captain said, referring to the first routes launched by his parents.

However, beyond its activity, the Rafael Verdera also represents a reflection on the state of maritime heritage. Arizmendi is critical of the lack of attention this legacy receives. “Not enough attention is paid to the sea or to the maritime history of the Balearic Islands. This ship was one among hundreds, and today it is the only one still afloat,” he lamented.

This situation is compounded by current uncertainty arising from changes in port management, which could directly affect its base in Mallorca. “We have never received any aid; everything has been the result of family work, and now we are waiting to see what happens,” he explained, acknowledging that the immediate future will depend in part on these administrative decisions, referring to the Muelle de Golondrinas, where they are moored.

The Rafael Verdera is not just a boat; it is a story that continues to be written at sea. It is an example of how tradition, passion, and effort can keep afloat an essential part of the maritime identity of the Balearic Islands. Proof of this is its captain’s goal: to keep sailing and preserve this legacy. “I would like to resume multi-day voyages and continue sailing across the Mediterranean,” Arizmendi acknowledged.