The inspection campaign for recreational boats on the Tarragona coast has seen a significant increase during the summer. The Guardia Civil's maritime service has tripled the number of checks carried out compared to previous years. Despite this increase in surveillance, the total number of fines issued has remained stable, standing at sixteen, according to sources from the force.
Captain and head of the service, Alfredo Moreno, attributed these results to the educational effort made in prevention campaigns. The most common infringements detected by officers are related to the lack of insurance receipts and incomplete documentation, including qualifications, skill certifications, and boat licensing.
From mid-June to September 15th, a team comprising three boats and around twenty officers has been patrolling the Costa Daurada and Ebre coast. The vessel Riu Francolí, the largest in Catalonia, has been used for these checks, covering areas from La Ràpita to Segur de Calafell, to address the high influx of boats and swimmers during the summer season.
Moreno pointed out that the Cap Salou area sees a greater concentration of boats compared to the Ebro Delta. Recently, ten jet skis and a tourist boat were inspected, and efforts were made to locate a sailboat for navigating in a swimming zone, an action considered a "red line" due to the risk to swimmers' safety.
The absence of an insurance receipt is one of the most frequent infringements, as many users still believe it is similar to car insurance. Other common violations include documentation for qualifications and certifications, as well as safety measures such as expired flares or inadequate fire extinguishers.
The head of the maritime service highlighted the effort to convey educational values and the importance of safety at sea. The increase in inspections without a proportional rise in fines is interpreted as a positive sign. Furthermore, maritime rescues have also tripled in recent years, a figure that Moreno hopes will reach zero, while acknowledging that the force's presence ensures assistance for those in need.
