10,000 boats abandoned in Spanish marinas

For many people the dream life in Spain usually involves the purchase of a yacht. Day dreaming of days spent idly fishing, watching the sun set, cool drink in hand whilst bobbing gently on the waves. Unfortunately for many boating enthusiasts that dream has been sunk by the crisis.

According to the Spanish Federation of Marinas Ports and Tourism, there are currently more than 10,000 boats abandoned by their owners in the marinas throughout Spain.

Gabriel Sandoval Sarrias, the President of the Federation claims the abandoned boats endanger the safety of navigation and the coastal environment.“Abandoned boats are one of the biggest problems we have inour ports and marinas. It has become necessary to regulate the management, treatment and disposal of these boats.”

According to Sandoval Sarrias, the crisis has caused many boat ownersto neglect maintenance of their vessels until they’re beyond saving.

The federation published figures today showing some 4,500 boats over 4.5 metres in lengthand between 10,000 -12,000 smaller craft, such as tenders, dinghies or dinghy sailing boats have been abandoned by their owners in Spanish marinas.

Most leisure craft come to the end of their natural life around 25 yearsof age. The Federation are concerned that somewhere between 750 and 1,000 additional boats will be abandoned by the end of the year.

The federation is calling for additional regulations that would allow Marina managers to identify and speed up the process of removing the abandoned boats and scrapping them.

The warning to boat owners who have let their maintenance and slip fees slide is to get it sorted or lose your dream boat.