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The Balearic government has established a new marine reserve encompassing the waters around El Toro, Malgrats and El Sec islands off the southwest coast of Mallorca, introducing significant restrictions for visiting yachts and recreational users.

 

Decree 26/2025, effective immediately, replaces previous marine reserves in the area and creates three highly protected zones with strict navigation and activity limitations. The reserve extends from Cabo des Falcó to Morro d'en Grosser along Mallorca's western coast.

 

 

Speed Limits: Vessels transiting the highly protected zones around El Toro, Malgrats and El Sec islands must maintain speeds between 3 and 6 knots, except during emergencies involving human safety. This measure aims to reduce underwater noise pollution affecting marine biodiversity.

 

Jet Ski Ban: Personal watercraft are prohibited within all three highly protected zones.

 

Anchoring Restrictions: Recreational vessels cannot anchor within 150 metres of traditional fishing gear deployment points when nets are set.

 

 

Recreational fishing from boats requires a specific three-year licence from the General Directorate of Fisheries. Trolling is limited to two surface lines and one bottom line per vessel, whilst competitions are banned throughout the reserve.

 

Diving activities remain permitted but must comply with existing marine reserve regulations. Group dives require advance notification up to three months ahead, and night diving is prohibited in the highly protected areas.

 

The new regulations also ban dynamic positioning systems during recreational fishing from boats, except for licensed charter vessels practicing catch-and-release fishing.

 

The reserve aims to balance conservation goals with fishing industry concerns, following previous reserves that lacked local fishing sector support.

 

 

A recent fire aboard an inspected passenger vessel occurred when an integrated lithium-ion battery bank ignited due to overheated, poorly crimped electrical connections. While no injuries resulted and vessel damage was minimal, the incident underscores the unique safety hazards associated with Li-ion battery systems.

 

 

-Energy Density: The high energy density that makes Li-ion batteries advantageous for extended voyages and full electrification also increases fire risk, as any resulting fire will burn at higher temperatures for longer periods.

 

-Thermal Runaway: Internal failures or short circuits can cause Li-ion batteries to release high-temperature flammable gases capable of ignition or explosion, creating an uncontrolled chain reaction as heat increases off-gassing rates.

 

-Fire Suppression Challenges: Thermal runaway fires prove extremely difficult to suppress once propagation begins. Effective strategies focus on early detection, containment, and heat absorption using water-based suppression systems.

 

-Toxic Emissions: During thermal runaway, Li-ion batteries release various toxic gases, many exceeding "Immediately Dangerous to Life or Health" thresholds, with emission composition varying significantly across different battery chemistries and manufacturers.

 

-Regulatory Requirements: All integrated Li-ion battery systems on inspected vessels require engineering plan review, supporting safety systems, installation testing and inspection, and ongoing maintenance by qualified personnel, regardless of battery bank size.

 

 

Operators must ensure proper battery identification through nameplate specifications, complete plan review and testing procedures, maintain visual inspections for deterioration, and provide adequate crew training on manufacturer guidelines and emergency procedures.

 

 

ESTELA’s legendary End of Season Party for yacht crew and industry partners marks the close of the Mediterranean season. As always, it will be held in Port Adriano. It is a themed fancy dress party with a free buffet, a (partially) open bar, live bands, and a DJ, fuelling a fun-filled night until the early hours.

 

The venue is decorated in keeping with the theme (TBC), while sponsors' signage will be prominent in the form of unmissable banners, flags, on-screen ads, and a photocall. All sponsors of the event are name-checked, as well as appearing on printed and online invitations and our email newsletters.

 

For details of sponsorship opportunities and packages, visit bit.ly/ESTELA-End-of-Season-Party-Sponsorship

 

Or call Francesco Gennai +34 638 816 803, email EoSParty2025@estelayachting.com

 

The Spanish Customs Authority has announced significant changes to the temporary importation regulations for non-EU flagged vessels, representing a major administrative simplification for yacht owners and operators.
 

Under the new interpretation of customs regulations, vessels under temporary admission status will no longer be required to visit a non-EU port to renew their temporary importation status. Instead, sailing beyond 12 nautical miles offshore will be considered sufficient to reset the Temporary Admission (TPA) regime.
 

This regulatory update streamlines compliance procedures while maintaining customs oversight
 

These changes are expected to significantly reduce the administrative burden for non-EU yacht owners operating in Spanish waters.

 

Recommended read: “Fragmented EU customs rules leave yacht owners exposed” 

 

For more information or queries, please contact palma@estelashipping.net

While much of the marine industry focuses on futuristic technologies like hydrogen propulsion and nuclear engines, a group of experienced yacht captains is proving that significant environmental improvements can be achieved right now through practical, cost-effective solutions.

At ESTELA’s breakfast seminar held in Palma on 30th April 2025, the Italian Yachtmasters Association presented their “Steering to Green” initiative. They provided real-world case studies from active superyachts, demonstrating that sustainability in yachting begins with mentality, not just technology.

 

 

The philosophy: Small things that matter
 

“We cannot save the planet, but we ask ourselves: is there anything we can do in our small daily contributions?” explained Captain Pietro Borgo, representing the Italian Yachtmasters Association. “We strongly believe this is absolutely a matter of mentality. Safety and sustainability both start from mentality.”

Founded ten years ago, the Italian Yachtmasters Association created the “Steering to Green” project specifically to address sustainability through practical collaboration. Rather than waiting for perfect future solutions, they focus on testing, implementing, and sharing feedback about sustainable systems that work today.

Read on…

The Bahamas’ yachting industry is in the eye of a storm, of the government’s making. A raft of new taxes, permits, and compliance measures rolled out on 1st July 2025 has triggered a sharp backlash from across the superyacht industry, with many operators already heading for friendlier waters.

 

At the heart of the controversy lies a sweeping revision of cruising permits. Fees have soared: vessels over 30.5 metres must now pay $3,000 annually, while a newly introduced ‘anchorage charge’ of up to $1,500 targets yachts not staying in marinas.

Fishing permits are no longer bundled with cruising permits and now carry their own charges, valid for only 30 days, regardless of a yacht’s longer-term cruising permit.

 

The government has introduced a Frequent Digital Cruising Card, allowing unlimited entries over two years. But at up to $8,000 for superyachts -- without eliminating port-by-port customs clearance -- many operators view it as no more than revenue raising without any tangible benefit.

 

Meanwhile, new technical mandates, such as compulsory AIS equipment on foreign vessels over 15.2 metres, and ‘seabed leasing requirements’ for private moorings (with fines up to $50,000 per acre), have only added to mounting frustration.

 

The response has been immediate. Several large yachts have already cancelled Bahamas itineraries in favour of destinations such as Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico, and Antigua, where policies remain more commercially and operationally viable. One marina in Bimini reported “12 cancellations in a single day”. A captain of a 35-metre motor yacht cut short a three-month stay in Nassau, reporting “zero charter enquiries”.

 

The Association of Bahamas Marinas has voiced deep concern, noting a growing trend of vessels actively rerouting. Social media has played a decisive role in fuelling discontent, with calls for a boycott of Bahamian waters.

 

Further tension surrounds a proposed rule that would restrict foreign vessels to using only Bahamian brokers and clearing agents, prompting fears of isolation from the global charter network.

 

The changes come on top of a 10% VAT on charters introduced in 2022 (plus a 4% port fee), already the highest charter tax burden in the region. Bookings dropped by 40% in the first year, while marina traffic is down 25%. Now, operators worry that what was once a course correction has become a permanent deterrent.

 

Whether the Bahamian government recalibrates in time remains to be seen.

 

If you're crossing the Pond, remember that ESTELA are in Lanzarote, Gibraltar, 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 90 15 01 / 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

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

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