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Personal Watercraft Under Scrutiny: Málaga Logs Fines and a Fatal Accident

The Ministry of Transport launches a awareness campaign to promote common sense and compliance with nautical safety regulations.

Generic image of a personal watercraft on sand with the sea in the background.
IA

Generic image of a personal watercraft on sand with the sea in the background.

Personal watercraft are once again a cause for concern this summer in the province of Málaga, where fines have been issued and fatalities mourned, prompting a nautical safety campaign.

The Ministry of Transport and Sustainable Mobility has launched an awareness campaign under the slogan 'On personal watercraft, common sense,' aiming to foster civic behavior and adherence to safety regulations among users of these vehicles. This initiative arises from the annual increase in emergencies related to personal watercraft, which in the province of Málaga have resulted in three deaths over the last two summers, including that of a child.
The issue of serious infractions by personal watercraft is not confined to the Costa del Sol. The Directorate General of the Merchant Navy has recorded a significant rise in these violations along Spain's coastline. While in 2020 they accounted for 12% of open administrative files, in 2021 this figure nearly doubled to 23%, and has remained above 20% since then.
Complaints are filed with the Maritime Captaincies following inspections by the Guardia Civil's maritime service. In 2025, 1,965 personal watercraft were inspected, leading to 692 proposed sanctions, indicating that approximately one in three inspections results in a fine. In Málaga, 18 serious sanctioning proceedings were processed, representing 48.6% of the Andalusian total.
Last summer, the Andalusian coasts recorded 33 emergencies linked to personal watercraft. The most serious occurred on the Costa del Sol, where a woman died on June 29, 2025, at Los Toros beach in Manilva, after her personal watercraft collided with a speedboat. Nationally, four fatalities were recorded from accidents involving these vehicles.
The previous summer, 2024, claimed two more lives on the Costa del Sol: a 32-year-old woman in El Palo and a 7-year-old minor in Marbella, both in incidents occurring between July and August.
Ministry data reveals that 20% of sanctions processed by maritime captaincies pertain to personal watercraft. Common infractions include navigating in swimming zones, speeding, reckless maneuvers, operating without a license, use by minors without authorization, and failure to wear an approved life jacket.
The '#SensatezEnElMar' (Common Sense at Sea) campaign, launched in Puerto de Santa María (Cádiz) with the collaboration of the National Association of Nautical Companies (Anen) and the Guardia Civil, aims to raise awareness about the importance of adhering to safety rules. Emergencies related to personal watercraft increased by 11% last year.
The Director General of the Merchant Navy, Ana Núñez, emphasized the necessity of these initiatives as long as emergencies continue to occur and called for 'common sense' from sea users, reminding them that maritime leisure must be conducted with respect for a shared space.
Furthermore, Núñez announced upcoming changes to the General Regulation for Recreational Navigation, including the creation of a specific navigation license for personal watercraft and modifications to recreational title endorsements, which will require specific practical training.
The campaign will be disseminated through the social media channels and websites of the Ministry of Transport and Maritime Rescue, offering guides and informational materials on nautical safety.

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