 Strolling along the harbour front in Puerto Andratx, after partaking of a snifter or two at Tim’s Bar just recently, I noticed two Brit holiday makers (recognised by their knee length socks, worn with sandals) wending their way towards me. Seeing as their patronage was being anxiously awaited by 20 or so half empty bars and restaurants around the port I bid them a friendly good evening, and doffed my cap at them.
Obviously they recognised a local mariner when they saw one, and asked me whose idea it was to put the pretty blue and yellow lights in the middle of the port? Saying they flashed so nicely, albeit somewhat prematurely, like “christmas illuminations.”
Try explaining to a couple of laid back turistas soaking up the balmy heat of a July evening in Mallorca, that they would have been in the middle of a storm force gale, soaked in sea water at best, or drowned at worst, had they been standing in the same spot but a few months ago.
Then try explaining to them that having made a number of serious errors in “reforming” the mooring arrangements, the powers that be, have still not managed to communicate to anyone what they intend to do to redress their errors. Like, how they will prevent more yachts being damaged or written off, and get the port back to looking like a yacht friendly haven again.
And that having ignored the warnings of just about everyone who knew better, including the weather experts, they now owe it to us to return Puerto Andratx once again to an attractive coastal tourism destination, which yachtsman really do want to visit, enjoy and most importantly... spend their money in.
For the sake of journalistic accuracy and because you will (hopefully) not see one too often around these parts, the source of the blue and yellow flashing lights is an Emergency Wreck Marking buoy, which warns of a sunken yacht lying in about 5 or 6 metres of water in the middle of the harbour.
Maybe it also reminds us all of what happens when port authorities don’t take their responsibilities seriously! |
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