"There is more tourism in Ibiza than in Menorca and there are the same number of moorings."

The president of the Nautical Association of the Pitiusas, Ramón Díaz (Jaén, 1957), says that this year the lack of qualified personnel is one of the great problems of this sector. At the same time, he hopes to record a good season.

—He has been president of the employers' association for years. What balance can you make of all this time?
I have been vice president for 25 years and since the last six I have been the president of the association. So, I've been pushing the industry for a long time and trying to help.

—Therefore, you will have seen stages and changes of all kinds.
Without a doubt, many changes in legislation and also in companies because now everything is much more professional. Thus, sales or repair issues are now carried out with a much more entrepreneurial vision.

—What was the nautical sector like in the Pitiusas 25 years ago?
Practically, all companies depended on a single mechanic who began little by little to make repairs and, by dint of doing his job well, customers were added to him, creating the seed to start a company. In fact, the vast majority of companies in Ibiza started like this. Practically, it was a sector that was difficult to access and the only way was through practice and time.

—What problems have arisen in these years?
Many have come out. Among them, the lack of moorings or specific places in Ibiza to train. Also, the lack of qualified personnel that, on the island, is currently impossible to find. I have to add that these last two years, due to the price of rents, people from the peninsula do not come to work, as they did before. The staffing issue right now is a pretty big problem. In addition, as president, I have been claiming for a long time that we are the only island in the Balearic Islands without a specific center for this training and all the authorities involved show good predisposition and will, but we continue exactly as at the beginning, with very good intentions, but with few results.

—He is a member in the Balearic Islands of the National Association of Nautical Companies. Are the problems common?
Practically, we all have the same problems, although Mallorca, unlike Ibiza, has other business models and entrepreneurs. Mallorca has large tonnage boathouses, something that does not exist here, which causes megayachts to go to Mallorca for repairs. In Ibiza, from 25 meters, these repairs are practically impossible because we have no means. There is some sector that we do not touch here, but the problems for all the islands are the same and we work hand in hand to seek the same results and overcome the same problems.

—Despite the pandemic and the resulting crisis, its sector has experienced good seasons in recent years.
It was a pleasant surprise because nautical tourism proved to be safe with the Covid issue and brought us new customers who had never rented a boat. Whoever tries it, usually repeats because it is a unique sensation. In the other islands the same thing happened: the issue of charter skyrocketed and, as for repairs, at first the situation was stopped, but I think it was because of fear and restrictions. When the pandemic seemed under control, we started working and it really went very well.

—Have you managed to retain the customers who discovered you two years ago?
Yes. This year we are going along the same paths and we must add the customers of a lifetime with all the new ones. It seems that the year is going to be very positive if nothing spoils the economic issue because it seems that signs of weakness are beginning to appear.

—What can you tell us about the reservations for July or August?
In previous years, it is true that it was booked well in advance. This 2022 started the first quarter very strong, but from April the reserves were slowing down. For the first half of August they are very covered and also part of July, but for September and October they are not as we expected. I insist, it seems that there is a lot of desire and, at the same time, there are doubts about whether people will be able to afford to come to Ibiza later and rent a boat.

—Is there still this image that renting a boat is something exclusive, reserved for a few?
The charter sector has been shown to be accessible to everyone. There are groups of friends who got together several, paid 150 euros each, and spent a wonderful day with something that was a unique experience. We can say that, at the same level as nightlife, with the same money you can rent a boat. Last year they did it because of Covid and because the nightlife was closed and this summer it seems that this type of client is maintained. We have started a strange year, with very high curves of reserves and then very pronounced falls and the same goes for sales since January, February and March have been historic in sales, but then stopped in its tracks to rebound. We go like the sea, with waves that rise and fall.

—How does the lack of staff translate into companies in your sector?
It is true that this summer there are no bosses, no cleaning people. There are also no apprentices who want to go with the mechanics. All companies suffer the same dilemma, which is the lack of personnel, and many of those who came and who have been called say that, with the prices of Ibiza, it is impossible for them to return.

—In the port of Ibiza they request a space for nautical charter companies. Has there been progress?
Yes, at the last meeting the representatives of the Port Authority recognized that Ibiza is the only island in the Balearic Islands without a specific space to work on the issue of charter, although it seems that they are for the work. We are on the right track and continue to hold meetings. Both the Port Authority and the Ibiza City Council are working for companies to have a specific place to work, as well as the issue of dry docks since we have always claimed that in the next concessions they are not eliminated or limit square meters because currently the waiting queue to take a ship to maintenance is brutal. We far exceeded 60 days. It seems incredible that on an island, where we are dedicated to the nautical sector in a high percentage, customers have to be given that period, when many already finish their vacations. For this reason, we have asked that the new specifications contemplate an open regime or a minimum of hours in the shipyard so that we can carry out the work.

—Other years have denounced unfair competition from charter companies from the peninsula.
Some improvement has been noticed, although not much. It seemed that Costas or the Civil Guard could not do much, but I think that now there have been specific instructions for there to be more anchorage controls. It is true that, at least, at the beginning it seems that fewer companies from the Levante have come to make the season anchoring abroad, although it is too early to know if really in July and August, which are the key months, legions of ships will come or not as every year that have advantages if we compare it with the companies here, since more than half of the fixed expense of a charter company is the mooring. It seems that there is now a little more control.

—Last October they denounced the problems caused to the sector by the global supply crisis.
We continue the same or worse. In relation to many models of boats, the shipyards already tell you about October and November 2023 and 2024 sounds for the delivery of boats and engines. We are still at the same point as at the beginning of the year. Those who were foresighted and stockpiled material will be able to deliver ships, but those who were not will not be able to deliver anything until 2023 because there is nothing on the market.

—The price of fuel will also affect them.
Of course. Filling a boat has increased by 70%, which is affecting us, especially motor boats and not so much sailing charter customers. One of the problems in charter is that, to the price, you now have to add the cost of fuel and it is an important item. In the ports, in addition, there is no competition and there is only a point or two to refuel and prices, with supply and demand, rise much more.

—Are there still moorings in Ibiza?
We have been with this great lack for many years and it is increasing because all the policies that are being made are restrictive, without being able to expand or create ports and in those that exist, if before it was allowed to dock in areas such as the tips of the pontoons, now it is forbidden. There is a significant reduction of the few berths that already existed. In Ibiza we have about three thousand and something moorings in front of Mallorca, where there are more than 20,000. Having more tourism in Ibiza than in Menorca, there are the same number of moorings. There is a brutal lack of moorings and the proof is that some have been on the waiting list for 20 years.

SOURCE: PERIÓDICO DE IBIZA Y FORMENTERA, 26 JUNE 2022
Sonia Ribas - Ibiza