The value of experience: four decades of commitment in Astilleros de Mallorca
The value of experience: four decades of commitment in Astilleros de Mallorca
Fernando García is one of those names that have become a living part of the history of Astilleros de Mallorca. Currently the head of the mechanical workshop, he has accumulated 38 years of experience at the company, where he has grown from the ground up to become a true benchmark, both inside and outside the shipyard.
«I started working here at 16 for a couple of months in the summer to earn some money… and things got a bit out of hand,» he jokes. Since that summer of 1987, he hasn’t left. His career began as a turner, then he became a mechanic, and for years now he has been leading the workshop with a technical, human, and deeply committed approach.
«Everything I know, I’ve learned here. Astilleros has shaped me both as a person and as a professional,» he says proudly.
A profession in constant evolution
Fernando has lived on first-hand the transformation of the workshop and the profession itself:
«In the past, things used to be much more manual, more artisanal. The workshop was smaller, more close-knit. It had its charm. Now it’s a different kind of charm: more technology, more management, more monitoring and control of projects. Less grease and more screens, so to speak», he explains with a smile.
Yet, there’s something that doesn’t change: experience is still key.
«Although every piece of equipment comes with a very complicated manual, no two boats are the same. Sometimes the manual isn’t enough, and you have to rely on instinct. That combination of technology and experience is our greatest added value. Here, we receive newly launched vessels, but also boats over 30 years old. And you have to know how to treat each one as it deserves.».
From generation to generation
His team is full of young mechanics. Fernando welcomes this, but also reminds them of what’s essential:
«If you like action, the workshop is the place for you. Here, you never know what’s going to happen tomorrow. It’s a profession that never stops evolving.».
And to those just starting out, he sends a clear message:
«Attitude makes all the difference. Knowledge adds up, experience adds up... but attitude multiplies. Always».
He learned this himself from a young age, when he entered the shipyard guided by his uncle, the legendary turner Juan Muñoz. And although he admits it wasn’t nautical engineering that sought him out, but rather the other way around, he eventually found his place. He even turned down an offer to work with Caterpillar repairing engines around the world.
«A conversation with my mother made me stay. Many times I’ve wondered what would have happened if I had left, but over time I believe I made the right choice by staying.», he reflects.
Trust and stability
Over the years, Fernando has worked with captains and chief engineers from all kinds of vessels:
«I’ve known many of them for over 30 years. Some were first officers when they arrived and are now captains. They’ve seen me grow, and I’ve seen them grow too.».
One of those captains told him recently:
«Here’s something I’ve seen in very few places: you work very well technically without ever forgetting where you come from.».
Fernando sums it up like this:
«That artisanal aspect is part of our identity. Having a stable workforce and our own workshop gives clients a great deal of confidence. They know that if they come back in a year, the technician who did the job will likely still be here.».
A story that is still being written
When he’s asked what is the most valuable thing that he takes from these years, he does not doubt:
«The people. Always. I’ve had the luck of living through some generational relays. I began with the veterans that were already retiring and now it is my turn to adapt of the youth. They are good kids, so I cannot complain».
Father to two sons, lover of motorcycles, history book and cinema, Fernando answers the big question without doubts:
«Yes, I am happy. And I still look forward to continuing.».
Because if something defines Fernando García, it’s not just his impeccable technical trajectory, but his way of living the profession: with dedication, modesty and an attitude that, effectively, multiplies.
And the best of all is that his history in Astilleros de Mallorca still has a lot of pages to be written.