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Since the start of the year, yacht crew have been able to stamp out (on board) in Palma only with a Seaman's Book.

 

Employment letters, contracts, etc, are no longer accepted as proof of seafarer status. As such, any non-EU crew embarking yachts in Mallorca without a Seaman’s Book have been subject to regular visa controls, with their permitted days in Schengen counting down.

 

As before, crew members disembarking and entering Spanish territory must be in possession of the necessary visa to stay in or travel through the territory, as well as the economic means to support themselves during their stay. Proof of accommodation for the duration, an invitation letter, or a flight ticket are required. A key change is that in the absence of a Seaman's Book, immigration officials will only stamp the disembarking crew member's passport but not the crew list. In other words, in this instance, the boat will have no official record of that person leaving the boat.

 

This measure has been affecting a large number of crew. Anyone without a Seaman's Book is strongly advised to apply for one without delay. In the meantime, as a workaround, our Palma office does have a supply of 'Record of Sea Service' books, which immigration police officials have been accepting to date. No guarantee is offered that this will remain the case in the long term, though to purchase one, contact us at palma@estelashipping.net or call +34 971 722 532.

 

For complete information about the Seaman's Book and how to obtain one, should read our comprehensive guide HERE, which also contains links to the main issuing authorities.

 

The United Kingdom Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) issued a warning this week to vessels in the Gulf of Aden, after a yacht reported being shadowed by up to 12 small craft while navigating waters near Yemen.

 

The incident, which took place on November 21, occurred approximately 74 nautical miles southwest of Aden, according to UKMTO, reports Newsweek.

For further details of this incident and navigation advice from UKMTO, read the full article here: https://www.newsweek.com/warning-12-suspicious-boats-stalk-yacht-houthi-rebel-stronghold-1989423

STP expands capacity, adds 110-metre berths

STP in Palma is expanding its yard by a quarter, increasing the total area from 130,000 m² to 162,000 m², at a cost of €8m. As part of the expansion, a number of 110m berths will be added, to facilitate the growing number of yachts over 100m LOA.

The first phase of the works is underway, focusing on the new docking area, expected to be operational by the end of this year. Another addition is a new covered area for mast repairs, which, together with an overhaul of general infrastructure, is expected to be completed by Spring 2025.

Yacht migration update

In our previous newsletter, we shared a graphic showing an upward trend in recent years of yachts migrating between seasons. We asked DYT and Sevenstar for their observations, which suggest that numbers are up again for 2024.

“This autumn, in addition to a constant trend of yachts wishing to go to the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Florida, there has also been a spike in latecomers. Particularly, it's yachts in the 30m-60m bracket that are keeping us very busy," a spokesperson commented.

Asked to explain the increased demand, they wouldn't speculate about whether it is related to tensions in Europe and the Middle East, "because we won't know until next spring how many will return or extend their stay overseas.”

The image below, showing a large number of yachts underway under their own steam a fortnight ago, was created by YPI Crew.

For any yachts yet to cross, for fuel and local support with formalities, provisioning, or concierge services in Gibraltar or Lanzarote, contact us at: gibraltar@estelashipping.net or lanzarote@estelashipping.net

If you're laid up for the winter season or undergoing refit in Spain, remember that ESTELA are in Palma, Barcelona, Vilanova and Valencia, so assistance is just a phone call away!

Palma de Mallorca: +34 971 722 532 / +34 638 816 803 / palma@estelashipping.net
Barcelona: +34 934 853 869 / +34 650 395 113 / yachts.barcelona@estelashipping.net

Vilanova: +34 650 90 15 01 / vilanova@estelashipping.net
Valencia: +34 687 56 97 82 / valencia@estelashipping.net

We perform wherever you are

ESTELA has strong connections to Antigua, so whatever your plans in the region, our colleagues are there to support you with whatever you require. We have mapped the best bays and beaches, as well as other points of interest, while our guide is up-to-date with all the practical information you need. Our latest edition also includes a visit to Montserrat.

In the French Caribbean, we explore Martinique, the home of Napoleon's Josephine, while in Guadeloupe, our dive guide includes some of Jacques Cousteau's favourite sites on the planet.  

If you happen to be passing through Doha International Airport, note that all seafarers and have free access to the Mariner Lounge.

Initially designed for premium-flying customers, the lounge feels upmarket and has showers, a smoking room, office space, high-speed wifi, and plenty of food and drinks. It’s located on the second level of Duty Free Plaza South, a short distance from the gates and other facilities.

To gain entry, you must present your Qatar Airways boarding pass, a Seaman’s Book or similar, a travel letter from your employer, or a Letter of Guarantee from your employer or agent.

 

Note that on the fourth floor is the Oryx Airport Hotel, where non-guests can access the Vitality Wellbeing & Fitness Centre for around €45. Open from 6am to 2am, it has a pool, gym, hydrotherapy tubs and shower rooms as standard. Massages and beauty treatments are available, as well as squash courts and a golf simulator, including sportswear and equipment rental.

Scientists have developed a new satellite imaging technique called the Beached Plastic Debris Index (BPDI) that can detect plastic on beaches from space, potentially revolutionising marine environmental monitoring and cleanup efforts.

 

The technique, developed by researchers from RMIT University, uses the WorldView-3 satellite to identify plastic on shorelines by analysing how different materials reflect light. It can distinguish plastic from sand and water from an altitude of 617 km, addressing previous technological limitations in detecting coastal plastic waste.

Currently, some 20 million metric tonnes of plastic enter coastal and marine environments annually, with projections suggesting this could double by 2030.
 

The technology is particularly valuable for identifying plastic accumulation in isolated locations like remote Pacific and Indian Ocean islands and Northern Australian beaches. It is a significant step in planning clean-up operations, which are set to be tested in a real-life scenario.

For the full report, visit Marine Pollution Bulletin 

Mallorca welcomed back former President Barack Obama this week, catching some post-election R&R and playing golf at Son Gual.

 

If you're already planning your visit to the Balearics during season 2025, ESTELA's complete guide to the finest courses in Mallorca is here: https://bit.ly/ESTELA-MallorcaGolfGuide

Ahead of US President-elect Donald J. Trump’s return to the White House in 2025, BOATPro enlists various experts to examine how his policies are likely to affect the superyacht market over the next four years.
https://www.boatinternational.com/boat-pro/news/taxes-tariffs-trump-superyacht-industry

📧 palma@estelashipping.net
📞 +34 971 72 25 32
📲 +34 696 59 84 03

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