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Lawyer Specialised in Maritime Law in Ibiza
We offer high-end advice for shipowners, crews and recreational boating companies. Solid solutions for disputes, charter contracts and port regulations in the Balearic Islands.
Has your boat been arrested, or have you had an accident at sea?
Act with the utmost speed. In maritime law, the first few hours are decisive for halting precautionary detentions, resolving vessel arrests and securing key evidence after an incident. Our immediate-response team is available to protect your assets.
«I advise owners, charter companies and boat buyers in all types of maritime operations and disputes, standing by the client from the purchase or contract through to the resolution of an incident or an arrest procedure.»
FORTE ABOGADOS • MARITIME LAW
My Maritime Law services
Nautical contracts
I draft, review and negotiate the contracts that shape any nautical operation in Ibiza, from a seasonal charter to the purchase of a yacht. I protect your interests from the moment of signing, anticipating conflictive clauses before they become a legal or financial problem.
- Nautical charter and rental of recreational vessels
- Purchase and sale contracts for boats and yachts
- Nautical management and consignment contracts
- Vessel repair contracts
Purchase, registration and financing
I support you through every stage of acquiring your vessel in Ibiza: structuring the financing, reviewing documentation before the purchase, registration and flagging under whichever flag best suits your situation, and verifying the vessel’s technical classification.
- Purchase and sale of recreational boats and yachts
- Nautical financing
- Registration and flagging (Spanish, EU and non-EU flag)
- Vessel classification societies
Accidents and incidents at sea
I represent you in any nautical incident occurring in the waters of Ibiza or Formentera, claiming third-party liability and the compensation you’re entitled to. I act quickly from the first accident report to preserve evidence and key deadlines.
- Collisions between recreational vessels
- Towing, assistance and maritime salvage
- General average
- Recreational navigation accidents
Claims and maritime litigation
I defend your vessel and your right to payment in any precautionary arrest procedure, non-payment claim or arbitration arising from nautical operations. I always seek the fastest and least costly route to resolve the dispute in your favour.
- Precautionary arrest of boats and yachts
- Payment claims arising from nautical operations (unpaid charter, mooring, maintenance)
- Sea protests and nautical surveys
- Arbitration proceedings (MYBA clauses)
Do you have a nautical matter on your hands?
Write to me and I'll give you an honest assessment of your case
Nautical insurance
I advise you against your insurer so that any incident is covered as it should be, with no unjustified refusals or reduced compensation. I review your policy before a problem occurs and negotiate on your behalf once it has.
- Recreational vessel insurance (hull and machinery)
- Compulsory nautical third-party liability insurance
- Claims arising from nautical insurance incidents (coverage refusals, compensation)
- Negotiation and damage assessment against the insurer
Nautical administrative law
I handle the licences, inspections and tax obligations required by nautical regulations in the Balearic Islands, including the specific charter regime under Decree 44/2025, of 1 August. I help you operate within the law and defend you if you’ve already received a penalty.
- Nautical charter licences (Decree 44/2025)
- Inspections and penalties from the Maritime Authority
- Nautical taxation (IEDMT, VAT)
- Regulatory compliance for charter companies
Maritime employment law
I advise on the employment relationship with your crew, from drafting the contract to resolving disputes over unpaid wages or dismissals. I take into account the particularities of flags of convenience and their impact on workers’ rights.
- Crew contracts
- Unpaid wages
- Flags of convenience
- Dismissals and termination of crew contracts
Moorings
I help you acquire, transfer or assign your mooring rights in Ibiza with full legal certainty, including the taxation applicable to the transaction and its correct transmission in the event of inheritance among family members or partners.
- Acquisition and assignment of mooring rights
- Administrative mooring concessions (State Ports Authority / Port Authority)
- Taxation on the transfer of mooring rights
- Inheritance and transmission of mooring rights
Frequently asked questions about Maritime Law in Ibiza
What is the precautionary arrest of a vessel and when can I request it?
It’s the measure that allows a yacht or vessel to be immobilised to secure payment of a debt related to its operation (unpaid charter fees, repairs, crew wages, among others). It is governed by the 1999 Geneva Convention and the Spanish Maritime Navigation Act, and it is especially effective when the owner or debtor is a foreign national.
What do I need to legally operate a nautical charter company in Ibiza?
Any recreational vessel rental activity in the Balearic Islands requires a specific licence under Decree 44/2025, of 1 August, with requirements specific to this autonomous community that differ from other parts of Spain.
Which flag should I register my vessel under: Spanish, EU or non-EU?
The choice affects taxation, inspection obligations and the intended use of the vessel (private or charter). There’s no single answer, it depends on the owner’s profile and the vessel’s intended use.
What taxes do I have to pay when buying a boat in Spain, and are there any exemptions?
Buying a vessel can trigger VAT and the Special Tax on Certain Means of Transport (IEDMT), although there are cases of exemption or non-liability depending on the use and characteristics of the vessel.
What happens if my vessel is involved in a collision or accident in the waters of Ibiza?
Liability depends on the circumstances of the incident and on whether there is hull and machinery insurance or compulsory third-party liability insurance in place. Documenting the accident from the very first moment is key to avoid losing evidence or missing claim deadlines.
What our clients say
The trust of those who have already worked with us is the best reference for how we handle each case: with commitment, honesty and direct attention from the very first contact.