Dear Islander,
As you will see from the front page and page 6 ANADE, the Balearic marina operators’ association, have come back hard at the authorities regarding the introduction of the new ‘port taxes’ and have produced some ‘worst case scenarios’ to highlight the hike in costs.
The calculations are somewhat complicated as different rates are levied on different parts of the ports but what is clear is that if these increases are fully implemented it will cause major problems for some marinas. The RCNP has already warned of price hikes for their members and/or a cutting down of regattas etc as their coffers are being squeezed.
The president of the marina in Molinar has described the situation as having ‘fatal consequences’ for the future of the club and that the committee will ‘fight to the end to keep the club afloat’!
On the other hand the president of the local port authority and ex president of the council of Mallorca, Joan Verger, has said that the authority is sensitive to the pleas of the various clubs and that the text of the law may be able to be ‘revised’.
Politicians of various colours have also voiced their opinion and fears for the future of the marine industry.
The United Mallorquin party have tabled a motion that the new law is a ‘frontal assault on the strategic marine sector’ and believe they have found a loop-hole to prevent the increased taxes and levies being applied to the Balearic ports; this, if nothing else, is expected to provide a ‘breathing space’ for discussion and negotiation whilst the ‘loop-hole’ is tested in the courts. They have tabled that the new law should not be applied until proven completely legal.
The developments of the so called ‘drink drive’ legislation relating to seafarers makes interesting reading (see news section), particularly as many of you readers will fall into the ‘professional seaman’ category with some pretty draconian measures!
It will be very interesting to see what the final rules and regs. will be.
Regards,
John Rule