decommissioning fishing boats in Greece

[Hardmy]

Indeed a sad sight Vas, but an interesting one. I was also surprised how it survived the fall from its propping, but the boat was completely empty (no machinery, etc.) would it still weigh 8 tons?

It wouldn't be Greece, without those small fishing boats. Sure this small scale, nowadays maybe antiquated fishing methods do not fit our world, at least not in Europe. But I've got a lot of sympathy for this. It's like those farmers I've paid a visit one month ago in Central Switzerland (a mountainous region were my gramma grew up). Some of them still survive with 15 (!) or so cows and a couple of goats (+ some chickens/pigs) and that's it. It's so steep that no machinery can be used, and there isn't any road access anyway. They live modestly and it's sometimes tough, but believe me, they have quite a happy life!

The life of the "little" Greek fisherman isn't easy either. But it never ceases to amaze me how kind and generous they always are. I can't remember how many times we have been offered fish as a gift or for a bottle of wine. And if he spoke some english, it was always a nice chat which ended in sharing our meal together. Hope Greece and its friendly and open people remains like that.

A question Vas (another thread drift alarm). Is this your Pefkakia yard in Volos? Are they still using a sledge or similar arrangement to haul boats? I was never brave enough to try something else than travellifts. How do they ensure that the boat is correctly placed on the sledge? I am now for a year in Kalamata, but for winter 2019 it could be an option to move to Kavala or Volos. Are they usually full full full in the winter? I haven't even 1% of your skills, so I need good (and affordable) tradesmen to help me for usual servicing/maintenance. What are the yard guys able to carry out for jobs?

 

[luptonj]

I would be a bit worried at how easily the wheelhouse fell off. Hull was strong but not much use if you're looking at the underneath of it from a sinking wheelhouse.
Sad to see a boat being broken up, but surely better than the usual alternative where they're abandoned at the mooring to rot for years on end like we often see here.

 

[fisherman]

I am reminded of a couple of chaps with a home built wheelhouse, when they hit a wave and found themselves running along the deck inside it. The same chaps later had a for'd wheelhouse, hit a wave and a heavy net bin slid up to jam the door shut, they had to radio for some one to jump aboard and let them out.

 

[vas]

Indeed a sad sight Vas, but an interesting one. I was also surprised how it survived the fall from its propping, but the boat was completely empty (no machinery, etc.) would it still weigh 8 tons?

It wouldn't be Greece, without those small fishing boats. Sure this small scale, nowadays maybe antiquated fishing methods do not fit our world, at least not in Europe. But I've got a lot of sympathy for this. It's like those farmers I've paid a visit one month ago in Central Switzerland (a mountainous region were my gramma grew up). Some of them still survive with 15 (!) or so cows and a couple of goats (+ some chickens/pigs) and that's it. It's so steep that no machinery can be used, and there isn't any road access anyway. They live modestly and it's sometimes tough, but believe me, they have quite a happy life!

The life of the "little" Greek fisherman isn't easy either. But it never ceases to amaze me how kind and generous they always are. I can't remember how many times we have been offered fish as a gift or for a bottle of wine. And if he spoke some english, it was always a nice chat which ended in sharing our meal together. Hope Greece and its friendly and open people remains like that.

A question Vas (another thread drift alarm). Is this your Pefkakia yard in Volos? Are they still using a sledge or similar arrangement to haul boats? I was never brave enough to try something else than travellifts. How do they ensure that the boat is correctly placed on the sledge? I am now for a year in Kalamata, but for winter 2019 it could be an option to move to Kavala or Volos. Are they usually full full full in the winter? I haven't even 1% of your skills, so I need good (and affordable) tradesmen to help me for usual servicing/maintenance. What are the yard guys able to carry out for jobs?

very true,a actually most of 5-7m long wooden boats are now privately owned by amateur fishermen, so we wont run out of typical fishing wooden boats anytime soon.

re your Pefkakia yard Q, yes they do use trolleys (they have 4-5 of them different sizes) heaviest they can haul out is 40 tons (or maybe 50) not sure. Biggest mobos I've seen was a custom steel plate one (adage iirc, built by a Brit who's just travelling along the med) a Baia 60 open, and various 55-60ft f/b.
Gregory has a (longish I guess) list of specs of various boats. Before hauling out a boat he doesn't know, he'll come and visit the boat, check construction, see and measure width between engines/shafts, as well as how far from the stern the shafts go through the hull.
Based on that, he regulates the right sized trolley and gets you on it.
It may be slightly scary the first time you do it, but I've never heard of a failure in the last 10yrs I'm following the yard.
I'd say it's odd but safe.
They are full in the winter, best if you book in advance. If you want I can talk to Gregory and book you in and if you're scared with the procedure I'd gladly come onboard and guide you to the slip.

There are guys around doing engine work, ss work, electrics, etc. Yard guys usually do the first clean and if you want can also do the a/f. Don't know what exactly you're after, but I could again check you get decent service.

I would be a bit worried at how easily the wheelhouse fell off. Hull was strong but not much use if you're looking at the underneath of it from a sinking wheelhouse.
Sad to see a boat being broken up, but surely better than the usual alternative where they're abandoned at the mooring to rot for years on end like we often see here.

pretty sure wheelhouse was dismantled and unbolted as part of removing everything from the boat, engine, pto, controls, diesel tanks, batteries, shaft, prop, etc.

I am reminded of a couple of chaps with a home built wheelhouse, when they hit a wave and found themselves running along the deck inside it. The same chaps later had a for'd wheelhouse, hit a wave and a heavy net bin slid up to jam the door shut, they had to radio for some one to jump aboard and let them out.

nice one, haven't heard of such a story around here though...

cheers

V.

 

[Hardmy]

Sounds very convincing Vas, I think this will definitively be an option. We are already booked this winter (2018/2019) in Kalamata, next winter (2019/2020 - OMG sounds crazy planing so much ahead) will be either Marmaris or Volos. Decide on that later. Of course it's too early now to think about maintenance, but one day for example we'll need to remove (special tools required) and refurbish the injection pumps of my CATs 3208TA. Thanks a lot for your advice and offer to help, this is very kind of you! Looking also forward for the next instalments on your other threads

 

[vas]

Sounds very convincing Vas, I think this will definitively be an option. We are already booked this winter (2018/2019) in Kalamata, next winter (2019/2020 - OMG sounds crazy planing so much ahead) will be either Marmaris or Volos. Decide on that later. Of course it's too early now to think about maintenance, but one day for example we'll need to remove (special tools required) and refurbish the injection pumps of my CATs 3208TA. Thanks a lot for your advice and offer to help, this is very kind of you! Looking also forward for the next instalments on your other threads

good thing I'm the OP, and I don't have to apologise for the thread drift

My mate with the P45 and a pair of 3208s had a bad case of fuel bug, there's a very knowledgeable company in Larisa (don't worry, they come to Volos, remove pumps, take them up to their workshop, rebuilt, test, bring back and refit) that's dealing with it, so yes, it can be done (actually has been done...) Not exceptionally cheap IIRC, but a removal, full rebuilt, refit was around 1K for each (or thereabouts). Haven't actually followed this pump rebuilt carefully, will find out if you want.

anyway, if you want anything more, give me a shout.

instalments on fins coming tomorrow I think, was delayed with some serious downpours over the last few days, and having to refit the aircon (and tidy up all around...)

cheers

V.