On August 4, the Balearic Government presented the new Coastal Surveillance Service. Consisting of 22 new boats, this service is intended to control excessive activities on the coast. The creation of the service owed much to events in Cala Bona in summer 2024; Guiem Comamala died after a yacht hit his fisherman's boat.
More than three months later and the boats remain inoperative. There is admittedly less need for them in the off-season, but they had not been used from August to October. The reason has to do with procedural issues concerning the Harbour Master's Office, which reports to the national ministry of transport.
The regional ministry of the sea says all the necessary paperwork, registrations, insurance and technical inspections have been complied with. But it is still waiting for approval from the Harbour Master's Office.
"This has not hindered the work of the government, which has continued to carry out inspection and control tasks along the coastline using drones and other vessels belonging to the regional government. As soon as the Harbour Master's Office finalises the procedures, the boats will be incorporated into the service."
Following the Cala Bona incident, there was criticism of a lack of control of excessive activities. The Guardia Civil have boats, but these are insufficient to meet daily needs.
At beaches such as Es Carbó (Colonia Sant Jordi) and Illetes, the situation has been described as completely out of control, with jet skis and various types of vessel invading the swimming area, despite it being clearly marked. At Es Carbó, beachgoers have complained that the Guardia Civil don't turn up and deal with offenders.
The 22 boats are to be divided into two operational groups. Ten will be for surveillance, inspection, and control duties. These units will focus on monitoring the nautical and recreational boat sector and initially be assigned to six ports in Mallorca - Andratx, Cala Rajada, Colonia Sant Jordi, Pollença, Porto Cristo and Soller - plus others in Menorca and Ibiza. The plan is, however, for these boats to operate from elsewhere depending on needs.
The other twelve boats will be assigned to ports managed by the regional Ports IB authority to support internal operations and respond to ports' operational requirements.