Thalassophilia!
a Nautical Event
30th April – 2nd May
Port Authority of the Balearic Islands and ESTELA Shipping Superyacht Agency are collaborating to present a series of seminars and presentations over three days, celebrating all aspects of the sea and nautical activity. Port Centre will be open to the public for the duration, with various FREE events taking place throughout the building. These sessions are all about information, education, and the exchange of ideas. They are aimed at anyone with an interest in conservation, exploration, and enjoyment of the sea. We invite you to come and listen, participate, and meet fellow thalassophiles involved in the many activities and initiatives supported by the Balearic Port Authority and its collaborators.
“Thalassophile (n.): from Greek θάλασσα (thalassa), ‘sea’, and φίλος (philos), ‘loving’ — someone whose love for the ocean runs deep”
PROGRAMME
Miercoles 30 abril — DÍA DEL MEDIO AMBIENTE (ES*)
POLIVALENTE (Auditorium)
09:30 Bienvenida del Presidente de la Autoridad Portuaria de Baleares
09:35 LA SOSTENIBILIDAD COMO ELEMENTO DE COMPETITIVIDAD
Presentación: Mejores prácticas ambientales para instalaciones náuticas
Jorge Martín
10:20 MESA REDONDA: David Pino, Ricardo Sanz, Lucia Mingot, Isabel Teruel
11:30 COMENTARIOS DE CIERRE
Antoni Mercant
14:00 Pausa
15:00 SERVEI D’OCUPACIÓ | ILLES BALEARS (SOIB): Presentación
17:00 FIN DE SESIONES
SEMINAR SUITE – Talleres
09:30 INNOVACIÓN, TALENTO Y SOSTENIBILIDAD PARA LA TRANSFORMACIÓN
Nacho Villoch
10:00 EL PROBLEMA DEL PLÁSTICO, SOLUCIÓN Y EDUCACIÓN
Pilar Carrero
11:00 BARRERAS DE PROTECCIÓN MARÍTIMA
Carlos Samblas y Juan Jose Lemm
Almas Marinas
11:30 MARE Certamen Audiovisual para la Conservación del Mar Balear
TBA
12:00 PRESENTACIÓN DE FUNDACIÓN SAVE THE MED
14:00 Pausa
15:00 MANTA TRAWL
Investigación sobre microplásticos
Almas Marinas
CAPITÁN POR UN DÍA: FALCAO I
TU METRO CUADRADO
Almas Marinas
17:00 Fin de sesiones
*Sessions in Spanish only
17:00 – 19:00 Rooftop Sunset Cocktail
ESTELA is hosting TWO free events on the 4th floor roof terrace of the Port Centre on 30th April and 1st May, with stunning panoramic views over Palma Bay and the magnificent La Seu cathedral!
Come and unwind after a busy day, on Wednesday 30th April from 5pm, when we will be serving some of the finest wines Mallorca has to offer, courtesy of Son Amaret winery. Entertainment will be provided by virtuoso jazz pianist Pierre Bauzerand, with @Marie Martin on vocals. Details here: https://estelashipping.es/rooftop-sunset-cocktails-at-thalassophilia/
Thursday 1st May — YACHTING DAY ONE (EN*)
08:00 ROOFTOP BREAKFAST
Breakfast is complimentary, but for catering purposes, please register here bit.ly/ESTELA-Breakfast-2025
08:30 Presentation: Balearic – Tarragona Itinerary — Port of la Ràpita, Delta Ebre Port & Terres de l’Ebre
POLIVALENTE (Auditorium)
09:15 PANEL: MEDIA & SOCIAL MEDIA IN YACHTING
Exploring all aspects of media and social media in communications, marketing, and PR in an industry misunderstood or misrepresented by many.
Panellists:
– Martin H. Redmayne, The Superyacht Group
– Sara Intonti, Content Angels
– Alex Siegars, ‘Yachties: Name, Shame and Fame’
– Jana Thomas, Positive Waves Media
– Rhea Rouw, Yachting International Radio
Moderator: James van Bregt, ESTELA
10:45 PANEL: MARITIME SAFETY & SAFEGUARDING
Reported accidents on board are on the increase, as are incidents of crew reaching out for external support. This expert panel will discuss what is behind the rise and initiatives to improve safety and security for all on board.
Panellists:
– Engel-Jan de Boer, Lloyds Registry
– Alfie Hincks, SeaScope Maritime
– Georgia Allen, ISWAN
– Capt. Pietro Borgo
– Capt. Camilla Rothe
Moderator: Adam Parnell, Director (Maritime), CHIRP
15:00 ITALIAN YACHT MASTERS:
STEERING TO GREEN + ASK ME ANYTHING
Presenter & Moderator: Capt. Pietro Borgo
Capt. Riccardo del Prete
Capt. Lucio Prosperi
Sara Intonti
“I wouldn’t be a Captain without the sea — and that’s exactly why I feel a deep responsibility to help protect it.
At international yachting forums, I often hear about the cutting-edge innovations that promise to transform the future of sustainability in our industry. But real change also starts with the small things we do every day — the conscious decisions we make onboard and the example we set. So I asked myself: what more can I do? The answer was clear — share knowledge, raise awareness, and be part of the conversation.
That’s why I’ll be speaking at Thalassophilia, a three-day event organised by Estela Yachting in collaboration with the Port Authority of the Balearic Islands, taking place in Palma de Mallorca from April 30 to May 2.” Captain Pietro Borgo
Part One: #SteeringToGreen
Featuring members of the Italian Yacht Masters association, Captain Borgo will lead a two-part panel discussion with a number of fellow captains.
The seminar will start by exploring the daily operational practices that can reduce a yacht’s environmental impact. From drinking water filtration systems that reduce the use of plastic water bottles to adopting environmentally friendly products on board, the panel will discuss the smaller impacts captains and crew can make.
Part Two: IYM Captains: “Ask Me Anything”
The second part of the seminar is an open mic session, where we open the floor to questions from the audience. This is YOUR opportunity to ask a panel of experienced superyacht questions literally ANYTHING. New to the industry and looking for advice? Want to know about the pros and cons of working on sail versus motor, private or charter? Or about contracts, dispute resolution, remuneration and tips, behaviour on board, or working practices? Whatever it is, come and put your questions to the experts.
If you’re worried about asking a personal or delicate question in public, no fear. Email your question to us in advance, and we will put it to the panel anonymously on your behalf. Send your questions to AskMeAnything@estelayachting.com and state clearly whether your question is anonymous.
17:00 END OF SESSIONS
SEMINAR SUITE
15:00 FRASER: The Calm Within the Storm
Workshop on Mental Wellbeing for Captains & Leaders
Hosted by Fraser Crew Management, featuring Amanda Beaver, expert in sea preparation, mental resilience, and emergency first aid.
If you would like to attend, please contact the Fraser Events team.
*Sessions in English only
17:00 – 19:00 Charity Rooftop Sunset Cocktail
in support of Fundación Almas Marinas
The second Sunset Cocktail, Thursday, May 1, is a charity event, featuring Brazilian-born recording artist Inan Lima fusing funk, soul, and Latin sounds.
We look forward to welcoming you from 5pm, when we will be holding a special charity raffle in aid of Almas Marinas, the Balearic foundation for marine ecosystem education, conservation, and pollution prevention. The event is free, but the charity will be selling €10 raffle tickets, with a grand prize to be won on the night, worth more than €3000!
For more details about Sublue’s range of underwater toys, click the image below. For more information about the activities of Almas Marinas Foundation or to donate, visit www.almasmarinas.org/donaciones.
Friday 2nd May — EXPLORATION DAY TWO (EN*)
08:00 ROOFTOP BREAKFAST
Breakfast is complimentary, but for catering purposes, please register here bit.ly/ESTELA-Breakfast-2025
08:30 Presentation: Exploration & the AYSS Network — AYSS & ESTELA
POLIVALENTE (Auditorium)
09:15 PANEL: YACHT EXPLORATION
The panel session will cover all aspects of yacht exploration; considerations around navigation, communication, planning and provisioning, insurance, medical support, and everything involved with going far afield to remote places.
Panellists:
– Capt Andrea Mura
– Capt Maiwenn Beadle
– Richard Klabbers, DYT
– Michelle van der Merwe, Pantaenius
– Matthew Zimmerman, Farsounder
– Dr Spike Briggs, MSOS
– Ernesto Esposito, OmniAccess
Moderator: Lucie Gardiner, Yachting International Radio
11:00 ANDREA MURA — An Ocean Racing Legend
Andrea Mura is one of Italy’s most accomplished sailors with a five-decade career, including impressive achievements in Olympic-class vessels, winning European titles in the 420 class, a Junior World title in 470, and competing in three Olympic campaigns. By 18, he received the “Silver Medal for National Athletic Value” from the Italian government.
In 1989, he joined “Il Moro di Venezia” America’s Cup team as mainsail trimmer and tactical assistant alongside Paul Cayard.
A turning point came in 2007 when Mura purchased “Vento di Sardegna,” focusing on solo ocean racing. Flying Sardinia’s flag, he achieved unprecedented success:
- First Italian to win the Route du Rhum solo transatlantic race (2010)
- Two-time OSTAR winner (2013, 2017)
- Set numerous records including Twostar (2012) and Québec-Saint Malo (2012)
- Completed the Global Solo Challenge (2023-2024), becoming the fifth Italian to complete a solo non-stop circumnavigation
He founded Veleria Andrea Mura Sail Design in 1985, serves as a UNICEF Testimonial, Raymarine ambassador, and ocean conservation advocate. His career has earned him numerous honours, including Gold Medals for National Athletic Value and the Confindustria Award, with a sculpture dedicated to him in Cagliari.
11:45 DIEGO COLÓN DE CARVAJAL — Columbus the Navigator
Diego Colón is CEO of Astilleros de Mallorca and a direct descendant of Christopher Columbus (aka ‘Cristobal Colón’).
Diego presents a history of maritime exploration from the 15th century, inspired by his personal family history and his time at the helm of Mallorca’s pioneering shipyard established in 1942.
12:30 CAPTAIN MAIWENN BEADLE — Accidental Ice Queen
Styling herself ‘Accidental Ice Queen’, Captain Maiwenn Beadle has decades of yachting experience and expertise navigating ice class yachts in the Arctic. She has led groundbreaking expeditions, from the Northwest Passage to the uncharted fjords of East Greenland aboard the 72M A1 Iceclass Nansen Explorer.
Here she explores the role of technology in monitoring environmental changes in Arctic ice and shares how every vessel can make a difference.
13:30 CLOSING REMARKS & EVENT CLOSE
SEMINAR SUITE
09:15 THE CREW NETWORK: SET SAIL FOR SUCCESS
Workshop for New Crew
with Ksenia Kokoshkina & Montse Barriuso
Agenda
09:15 – 09:25 Introduction of TCN
09:25 – 09:30 CV Advice
09:30 – 09:35 Different Jobs & Types of Yachts
09:35 – 09:40 Interview Tips
09:45 – 09:50 Certificates and Other Requirements
09:50 – 09:55 Life on Board: Expectations vs Reality
09:55 – 10:05 Break
10:05 – 10:20 ISWAN + Activity Laura Beard
10:20 – 10:25 Seasoned Experience: Crew Speaker Emma Bailey
10:30 – 10:45 Lola Onboard: Chief Stewardess María Dolores Jovtis Díaz
10:45 – 11:00 Life as a Captain: Carsten Franik
11:00 – 11:15 Q&A Session All
If you would like to attend, please contact the Fraser Events team.
*Sessions in English only
Press Release: https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/677fc343-32ad-420e-8d62-525b89dad8c7
Comunicado de Prensa: https://claude.ai/public/artifacts/afef5fe3-a650-4670-94aa-549f523f3c6c