Velez-Malaga Mayor to question Junta about rise in mooring fees

THE Mayor of Velez-Malaga has criticised that mooring fees in Caleta de Velez marina have increased by 30 per cent from last year.

Mayor Francisco Delgado Bonilla, met with representatives of the Axarquia Sailing Club, which includes most boat owners who have their boats moored at the local marina and have complained about the price rise.

They informed him that the Junta de Andalucia has increased the price from €1,300 to €2,000 per year, which they say has been “a surprise” and has even led to some having to sell their boats.

They have asked the mayor to discuss the matter with the Junta de Andalucia and ask them to “reconsider and respect people in these difficult times.”

Although the Junta de Andalucia says mooring fees have only gone up by 10 per cent, boat owner report they have risen in some cases by almost 50 per cent.

On January 1 this year, a law that was passed in December 2007 came into effect.

The 30 per cent discount given to people with boats moored year round at the 12 marinas owned by the Andalucia Port Authorities was abolished at marinas which have a waiting list.

The port authorities promised this would be done gradually. There are 320 mooring areas in the marina, which is awaiting an expansion of 112,000m2, increasing the number to 791.

Delgado Bonilla said he regretted that the Junta “had not kept it promises to the local fishermen, who were told years ago that the port would be expanded, and has now put prices up without any warning.”

For 58-year-old Michael Goddard from Norfolk the fees rose by a third “from €1,392 last year to €1,851 this year for a six meter birth”. Mr Beaven explained that Caleta de Velez is “not a luxury marina like Puerto Banus”.

“Most of the people here cannot afford high fees,” he said. 

“Some of the expatriates have sold all their worldly goods to buy and live on a boat and now they cannot afford the boat anymore,” collaborated Mr Goddard. “I know 12 people in the marina who now have to give up their boat.”

Author badge placeholder
Written by

Euro Weekly News Media

Share your story with us by emailing newsdesk@euroweeklynews.com, by calling +34 951 38 61 61 or by messaging our Facebook page www.facebook.com/EuroWeeklyNews

Comments