ASSOCIATION LOOKS TO RENOVATE TRADITIONAL TRAWLER
Thursday 17th November 2011

The Associació de Barques Tradicionals de Xŕbia has moved one of the last trawlers built in the traditional Valencian way to municipal land close to the Arenal in the hope that it can find the necessary finance to renovate it.

The “Pacurri” was built in 1932 and had been anchored in Calp since it was taken out of service, spending the last three years in the shipyard of Belliure, a renowned restorer of wooden fishing boats. It has been transferred to the plot of municipal land recently cleared next to the Canal de la Fontana where it has been secured by the council’s Department of Services. The boat will remain on site until funding can be found to restore it for use as an educational resource for the study of sailing heritage as well as a tourist attraction.

The bureaucratic process has been long and, for three years, the transfer had been held up by lack of proper paperwork. During that time. the boat had been moored in Calp and time took its toil. In December 2008 it lay half submerged which forced the shipyard owners to lift it into dry land which further exasperated the already deteriorated wooden hull. Swift restoration was essential to prevent loss of a fine traditional boat.

The Associació de Barques Tradicionals de Xŕbia was formed to safeguard the rich maritime heritage of the area and has been keen on renovating the ‘Pacurri’ since 2005. Although it had been fitting out for motoring, the trawler was one of the last to have been built following the traditional model of Valencian boat-building. Once restored and rigged, it will remain as an example of early 20th century fishing but will all the modern navigation and safety systems required for public transport.

A renovation project has been endorsed by the Colegio de Oficial de Ingenieros Navales but the cost of the work required is around 400,000 euros and the association continues to look for ways to finance the project as well as other ways to at least get it started.

Source: Press Release - Xabia Ajuntament