Two superyachts in the harbor: Packer family attracts attention in Puerto Portals

Two superyachts in the harbor: Packer family attracts attention in Puerto Portals

Arctic and IJE are currently anchored off Mallorca's luxury marina – a summer scene with flair and small effects for the neighborhood

The morning in Puerto Portals began with the usual murmur of the harbor promenade: waiters carrying trays, delivery vans stopping briefly at the quay, seagulls circling over the water. Between the sailboats and the families strolling along the shore, two very different ships suddenly appeared – large, gleaming and hard to miss. The Arctic and the 108-meter IJE drew looks as if they had put on a small public performance.

The two yachts belong to the Packer family, who are well known in Australia. The Arctic has an unusual life story: originally built in 1969 as a robust offshore tug for operations in icy waters, it was later extensively rebuilt as an expedition yacht and returned to service in that form in 1994. After Kerry Packer's death in 2005 the Arctic passed to the family estate; it was long associated with James Packer and since 2018 the vessel has been fully owned by Gretel Packer.

Only a few meters away lay the IJE, a vessel of a different kind: 108 meters long, built by the Benetti shipyard and delivered in July 2019. The yacht belongs to James Packer and bears a personal name – a combination of his three children's first names: Indigo, Jackson and Emmanuelle. Side by side at the quay, the two ships formed an unusual, almost cinematic motif.

For people here such a sight is more than a photo for Instagram. Harbor restaurants notice it in their reservations, marina staff are kept busy, and local flower and grocery suppliers often deliver on board. Crew, security personnel and suppliers bring local income, even if only for a short time. Walking the Passeig in the morning you hear languages mixed together – English, Spanish, sometimes French – and see how everyday life is accompanied by a touch of luxury.

Puerto Portals can absorb these moments as part of its everyday life. The marina has long lived from welcoming visitors and boats; for some neighbors superyachts are familiar, for others a special event. On a sunny day like this the combination of sparkling sea, the smell of espresso and sea salt draws many people to the promenade. There is an almost childlike wonder when someone waves from a deck or when a tiny tender ferry darts between the giants.

These visits also offer opportunities: local craftsmen, boat services and the hospitality sector benefit from short-term contracts. Young people find work as part of the crew or in service jobs; marinas continue to invest in infrastructure. That does not come without challenges – space is a commodity, and residents watch to ensure the harbor remains lively and accessible. Still, for an afternoon the juxtaposition of the Arctic and the IJE brings a little shine to island life.

Another thought many here share: visibility can be used. When large yachts visit Mallorca, this can be linked to sustainability offerings, local partnerships or cultural programs – small initiatives that show such visits can also express goodwill toward the island. Ideas circulate in cafes and workshops: local art on board, boat services offering regional products, short outings focused on marine observation rather than parties.

In the late afternoon, when shadows lengthen and the quay lights come on, a day like this leaves a feeling common in Mallorca: a mixture of normal life and occasional exceptions that provide conversation. For Puerto Portals it means extra attention; for residents and businesses it means staying alert – and making the best of it. Anyone strolling the promenade on the weekend might still have the chance to catch a glimpse of the Arctic and the IJE. And anyone curious will find people in the harbor cafés who are happy to tell how a day at 33 degrees in Palma sounds and smells.