A difficult situation

By Jason Moore THE major showpiece of the island´s nautical industry gets underway this morning, the Balearic Boat Show, at a time when the industry is pleading for the Balearic government to give the green light for new yacht club and moorings. The nautical industry warns that if the Balearics is to continue to be a major nautical centre, then new moorings need to be built. My limited experience is that there is only a shortage of berths about six weeks every year (in July and August) and for the rest of the year there is no problem. Yes, there are far more boats than moorings but I would say that there is probably an easier way to solve the lack of moorings during the peak season such as floating quays which could be moved into place (this has helped solve the problem in Minorca). I do get the impression sometimes that elements of the local tourist industry would like to transform the islands into floating golf courses with moorings and yacht clubs along the cost. I am told (by an expert) that the islands have enough golf courses and probably enough yacht clubs as well. My golf source says that local clubs needs to be more flexible and perhaps open for business earlier and close later. It is the same with the yacht clubs; perhaps attempt could be made to make the season longer so that once again it does not just revolve around the last two weeks in July and the first two weeks in August. Perhaps it is time for the Balearics to be more flexible and perhaps the time has come for a realistic look at the facilities which are on offer. Yacht clubs and golf course are like roads; once they are completed you always find that you need some more.