Since October 27, 2018 Ibiza adopted measures to combat the illicit traffic of people and merchandise in relation to the vessels used in these fraudulent activities. This Royal Decree was promulgated by the increase in the use of this type of vessels, commonly called ‘dealer boats’, RIB manufactured each time with more load capacity and equipped with more powerful engines, or in which a number of engines are installed. It seems almost impossible from the point of view of naval engineering, even in Ibiza.
What are the so-called dealer boats in Ibiza?
The so-called dealer boats in Ibiza are semi-rigid boats, mostly between 12 and 16 meters in length, propelled with up to five engines of 200 horsepower each, refueled with numerous fuel drums or even modifications are made to the hull for house larger gas tanks of up to 5,000 liters. Taking advantage of the characteristics of the boat itself, they make illegal transport trips in a short time reaching speeds of up to 60 knots (111 kilometers per hour) and disembark on any coast easily accessible, sometimes in broad daylight and in front of bathers and tourists who are on the beach turning them into involuntary spectators in the beaches in Ibiza or Formentera.
What is intended with this new law in Ibiza?
Prevent the use of this type of vessels by including them in the definition of “prohibited goods”, a concept created with a new law, which states that all those whose importation, exportation, circulation, possession, trade or production are expressly prohibited by a treaty or agreement signed by Ibiza, by provision with the rank of law or by regulation of the European Union.
When can a boat be considered a “prohibited genre”?
Within the “prohibited genre” those having 8 or less meters in length have a power equal to or greater than 150 kW (201 hp), regardless of the number of engines and those of more than 8 meters in length. Also, rental boats sailing the waters of Ibiza and Formentera, whether pneumatic or semi-rigid or not, different from those described above, that are going to be used for contraband acts, and for the purpose of proving or suspecting that they may be used for these illicit activities, shall be considered rational elements or indications, except that is proven otherwise. That is, they are not duly registered and registered; that the integral parts of the vessel have been modified to increase the power, with additional tanks or other works that have not been previously authorized by the General Directorate of the Merchant Navy.
What kind of modifications can be considered suspicious?
The modification of the integral parts of boats in Ibiza to enable double bottoms or spaces that allow the stowage of load not foreseen in the initial design; the manipulation of visual, acoustic, radioelectric systems of positioning and technological aids, or the existence of devices, systems or technologies that allow the manipulation of those.
There may also be suspicious attitudes during navigation …
Yes, exactly, sailing without displaying the regulatory lights or erratic navigation in different directions around Ibiza and Formentera, with or without unjustified speed changes, disregarding, in both cases, the indications of vessels or state vessels duly identified, especially the indication to stop and undergo control; the manifest inconsistency between the declared purpose of the proposed defeat or activity and the nautical belongings and even of the crew or passengers on board; also, the use of equipment or materials that hinder the detection or identification of the vessel or smaller vessel.
Another important aspect of this norm is that it extends the character of “prohibited genre” not only to the object but to other activities?
Yes, to the manufacture, repair, reform, circulation, possession or trade of the same, as well as to sailing at any point of the internal waters, Spanish territorial sea or contiguous zone.
How can we make sure that our rental boats in Ibiza are not within the “prohibited genre”?
To be excluded from the consideration of prohibited gender will be necessary that the operator, that is, the owner of the recreational boat is registered in the Special Register of Operators of Pneumatic and Semi-rigid High-Speed Boats by the State Agency for Tax Administration, for which it is necessary to request the registration in that registry and the authorization of use. These procedures can be done through the page of the State Agency for Tax Administration, in the section on Customs and Special Taxes.
You can read here the story of our company, CharterAlia, boat hire in Ibiza.