Dear Islander,
In a world where most things change rapidly and sometimes too furiously for some, it is always interesting to note certain things that stay the same, and observe that some are for the better, some for the worst, and some are just of a sheer persistant nuisance value!
For a reality check on the pace of change in the Balearics , I am lucky to have every copy of the Islander on file for the last nine years.
Whilst I am not going to pretend that I have read them all, I did peruse issue No 1 from March 1997 recently, and would you believe it - the front page story headed “Taxing Questions”, refers to the “hoary old story” (unquote) of the T0 and T5 port taxes. Well here we are in 2006 and that particular story has only become older and hoarier, with some added complications of extremely complex legal rulings along the way.
However, as we promised last month, we have had our legal eagle Sr.Carlos Espinosa, burning the midnight oil and thumbing through mountains of legislative papers, in order to shine some light in the darkness, with his article in the featues section - a “must read” for anyone uncertain about their port tax liability!
The same inaugural issue of The Islander also promised to be faithful in it´s content, to the English speaking boating community in the Balearics, so we hope that is one thing that has remained unchanged and we promise to keep it so!
Another thing that seems to come and go in waves and saddens most of us who are decent law abiding citizens, is crime against personal property. We have had several reports this last few weeks of stolen boats and thefts from boats including parts, accessories and outboard motors from tenders etc. Please be extra vigilant, lock up whatever you can, and report anything suspicious to police or security, there´s still more of us than there is of them!
Finally, I would like to say a big thank you to the service team at Nautica Mahon - particularly Di in the office, and David and Mike for coming to the rescue quickly and efficiently, when a certain newsletter editor had fuel problems with his motor boat in Alcudia Bay last week!
Peter Franklin