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One of the busiest routes during the summer is the fast inter-island connection between Ibiza and Formentera. One of the route’s defining features is the presence of our first fleet of more sustainable vessels: the Eco series. Gabriel Batle Roca is responsible for coordinating them all. He joined Baleària in 2010 as second officer on the fast ferry Ramon Llull, serving the Alcúdia-Ciutadella-Barcelona route.
Q. What are your responsibilities as coordinator of the Eco fleet?
A. I do a bit of everything, although my main role is to coordinate both the fleet and shore-based teams to meet maritime transport needs between Ibiza and Formentera.
Q. When and where did your passion for the sea begin?
A. For as long as I can remember, I have sailed on all kinds of craft. At the age of 12, I already knew what I wanted to do professionally. When I finished my degree, I discovered that I came from a long seafaring tradition which, for various reasons, had moved away from the sea. Without realising it, I had revived that tradition.
Q. What is the summer season like on the Ibiza-Formentera route?
A. It is extremely intense. Over four months, we carry between 4,000 and 5,000 people a day between Ibiza and Formentera. In summer, we operate 62 crossings every 24 hours.
Q. What is most important when organising and planning the fleet for the summer season?
A. Anticipating the unexpected, although even then we encounter unbelievable situations every day. We spend eight months preparing to survive the summer and, once it begins, there is no time to stop and think. Preparation is vital. Our accumulated experience and historical information help us plan dry-dockings, prevent breakdowns, secure the best berths, determine crew requirements, implement new regulations, and so on.
Q. Why do you think people trust Baleària on this route?
A. Because of our reputation, reliability and personal service. Regular customers know that we will do everything possible to honour our commitments.
Q. What do you enjoy most about your profession?
A. The adventure of never knowing what you are going to encounter, while watching the project grow, become established and improve day by day. And that is without mentioning the people behind it: they encourage you in every situation, however difficult it may be.
Q. What makes Ibiza and Formentera so special and among the most visited destinations?
A. They allow you to live a dream: the incredible scenery, the climate, the leisure activities, the food, and so on. Everything is geared towards making visitors feel as though they are living in paradise for a few days.
Q. Which of the two islands would you choose? What would you recommend seeing and doing there?
A. I would choose all four. I am from Mallorca, I worked in Menorca for many years, and for the past seven years I have lived and worked between Ibiza and Formentera. The islands share certain features, but each has its own distinctive personality. Personally, I value the lesser-known places and moments on each island.
