Mandatory Nautical Certificate for Port Personnel in the Balearic Islands: What Changes in 2026

Key data

PortsIB personnel who perform tasks outside the base port premises—such as inspections in anchorage fields or coastal surveillance in remote areas—have had a mandatory nautical training framework since November 2026. The Resolution from the General Directorate of the Merchant Marine (DGMM) published on November 2, 2026 formalizes the agreement with the public entity Ports of the Balearic Islands and creates a specific certificate that did not exist until now.

Until the publication of this agreement, there was no unified standard for nautical training for Balearic port personnel operating outside base ports. Now, the DGMM assumes responsibility for approving a specific Training Plan, adapted to the actual characteristics of the vessels used and the functions of each profile.

What does this regulation establish?

The agreement between the DGMM and PortsIB regulates the nautical training requirements—both theoretical and practical—that must be demonstrated by public entity personnel to govern vessels outside port service areas. The key elements are:

• Training Plan approved by the DGMM: The General Directorate of the Merchant Marine will analyze the characteristics of the vessels used, the specific functions to be performed, and prior training that may be eligible for recognition, before approving the final plan.
• Recognition of prior training: The agreement expressly contemplates that nautical training already demonstrated by personnel may be recognized and validated, avoiding duplication.
• New specific certificate: A certificate is created called "Master of Vessels of the Public Entity Ports of the Balearic Islands", exclusive to PortsIB personnel.
• No professional equivalence: The certificate has no equivalence with any professional merchant marine qualification. Its scope is strictly operational within the PortsIB domain.
• Expiration linked to employment: If the holder ceases to provide service at PortsIB, the certificate automatically expires, regardless of its expiration date.
• Revalidation: The certificate may be revalidated starting 7 months before its expiration date.

Economic and operational impact

For PortsIB as an organization, the main impact is operational and human resources management. Implementing the Training Plan will require:

• Identifying which workers need the certificate based on their actual functions (governing vessels outside the base port).
• Reviewing prior nautical training for each employee to determine what can be recognized and what additional training is necessary.
• Planning theoretical and practical training for those who cannot recognize sufficient modules.
• Establishing a system to track certificate validity (5-year validity) to manage revalidations with the required advance notice (7 months before expiration).
• Updating personnel termination or reassignment procedures, given that the certificate expires if the holder ceases to provide service at PortsIB.

Since the regulation does not specify economic amounts or associated fees, the direct cost will depend on the number of affected workers and the content of the Training Plan approved by the DGMM. Recognition of prior training can significantly reduce that cost.

Who does it affect?

The regulation exclusively affects personnel of the public entity Ports of the Balearic Islands (PortsIB) with functions involving governing vessels outside port service areas. The specific profiles identified are:

• Port managers: Personnel with operational management responsibility in the ports of the Balearic Islands.
• Dock workers: Surveillance and control personnel on the docks, who may need to travel by vessel outside the port premises.
• Coastal surveillance personnel: Workers with inspection functions in anchorage fields and areas away from the main ports.

It does not affect personnel who work exclusively within port service areas, nor professionals with current merchant marine qualifications that already cover the required functions.

Practical example

A dock worker at the Port of Alcúdia who regularly patrols by vessel to inspect anchorage fields located outside the port service area will need to obtain the "Master of Vessels of the Public Entity Ports of the Balearic Islands" certificate before continuing to perform those departures independently.

If that worker already has demonstrated nautical training (for example, a recreational vessel master course), PortsIB may request recognition of that training from the DGMM when developing the Training Plan. If recognition is partial, they will only need to complete the unrecognized modules. Once the certificate is obtained, it will be valid for 5 years. If during that period they are transferred to a position without vessel governing functions outside the port, the certificate will expire. If they continue in the same position, they may revalidate it starting from the seventh month before expiration.

What should organizations do now?

1. Identify affected personnel: Review which PortsIB workers have among their functions the governing of vessels outside port service areas (port managers, dock workers, coastal surveillance officers).
2. Audit existing nautical training: Compile the nautical titles and certificates already held by each affected worker to determine what can be recognized by the DGMM.
3. Coordinate with the DGMM for the Training Plan: Provide information about vessels used, functions to be performed, and prior training eligible for recognition that the DGMM needs to approve the plan.
4. Plan complementary training: Once the approved Training Plan is known, organize theoretical and practical training for workers who cannot recognize all modules.
5. Implement a validity control system: Record the issuance and expiration dates of each certificate to manage revalidations with at least 7 months' notice and prevent personnel from operating without a current certificate.
6. Update HR procedures: Incorporate automatic certificate expiration in termination, reassignment, or function change processes for affected personnel.

Official source

Consult complete regulation at official source

Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For specific decisions, consult a qualified professional. Source: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2026-22979