Dear Islander,
Well I’m afraid it’s another case of the authorities shooting themselves in the foot when dealing with the local nautical business. I suppose the initiative of the Balearic Government’s ‘Institute of Tourism Quality’ to try to improve the quality of the services offered in Balearic marinas should be welcomed but just look at the front cover of the brochure they have just released to announce a plan to monitor marinas and to award ‘Q’ flags. ( SEE PIC OF BROCHURE)
What sort of message does it convey to you?
Has this couple just fallen into a marina?
Are they stupid enough to go swimming in a marina?
Notice that they are floating pontoons- where in the Balearic islands is there a tide?
One wonders who chooses these images!
As we went to press I was told that whoever was responsible is certainly going to get a a flea in their ear!
Marina Port Mallorca has not been getting very much good publicity recently and it appears that they have introduced some entry procedures for service companies that are totally impractical. These are some of the comments I’ve had from one source:
"If just going to Port Mallorca to pick-up or deliver you are allowed 15 mins to do this; no need to ask previous permission. If going to fix an engine or do carpentry work, etc, also allowed 15 mins to drop off tools, materials etc, but MUST leave club after this and park outside on Paseo Maritimo. This means that say, work takes place at the far end of marina, employee must drive out, find parking place (not easy) and then walk back in again right to the end. Same to get out. This time, a good 30 mins, will obviously be charged to the owner. Time spent inside marina is also charged to company. If the job necitates having vehicle parked inside for any length of time, next to the boat, permission must be asked for by faxing office 24 hours beforehand. They cannot fax permission (if granted) back. One must go and pick up document at office in Paseo, next to Pacha. Why, they could not explain. Probably want to make life difficult. One engineer I know, who has exclusive rights to fixing a very well known make of yacht engine has already told me that he cannot waste his time walking in and out of the marina, as he is busy enough anyway, and is not prepared to spend valuable time doing so. If a client needs something fixing in there, tough, unless they demand permission themselves, he is NOT going to himself. As I pointed out to the Manager, 90% of vehicles parked inside belong to crew members, who turn up at 9 and leave at 5, so really are not "clients". No answer was given to that one, only that they pay the bills therefore they must have parking places”.
Has anyone else had hassle? Please write in and tell people what really is going on- it can only be the owners and skippers who can influence the marina management. Well here we go into the 2005 season, let’s hope that it works out well for all, owners, skippers, crew as well as supply and service companies.
Regards,
John Rule