| Project update November 2009 |
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In the first 24 months after the tsunami we built Oru Catamarans of various sizes and 19' Outboard Motor boats as the main focus of Project Fish and Ships. The work to complete all of the small and medium boat orders from our donation appeal was completed in 2007. Our commitment to rebuild the entire Galle Trawler Fleet that was distroyed in the tsunamis is now also complete with the launch of the last boat in February 2007.
In total ASL built over 200 boats. Fish and Ships was one of the most rewarding projects we attempted as well as one of the most challenging. During the later part of 2005 we had 3 boat yard, building at full pace in Tangalle, Weligama and Galle. Along with each boat ordered, we supplied an outboard engine (inboard for Trawlers) and the majority of larger boats received fishing nets. Our team had to investigate every individual application and be 100% sure that the fishermen were deserving before we allocated a boat to them. There have been many unscrupulous attempts to trick us but we feel confident that we have foiled any dubious applications.
We have now closed our small boat yards in Tangalle and Weligama. Adoptsrilanka liaised with the Fisheries Department and started monitoring the amount of boats that were being built by other NGO’s towards the end of 2005. It became clear that this sector was being over subscribed and the waters around the coast were being over fished. Our Donors were notified and we advised them to redirect their donations on to other deserving projects like supplying engines and nets.
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Launch of further 3 day trawlers |
Objective
It is estimated that in 5 minutes on December 26th 2004, 50% of the registered fishing fleet in Sri Lanka was damaged or destroyed. Most of these boats have now been repaired and others were replaced. The aim of Project Fish and Ships was to provide materials, expertise and the provision of new boats to enable the fisherman to get back to sea. Adopt Sri Lanka have met all of our objectives and this project is now closed.
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| 11-foot oru catamaran |
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28-foot oru catamaran |
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19-foot open day boat |
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Single-deck trawler |
These boats were given to fishing co-operatives in order to ensure impartiality and only after a thorough assessment of the pre-tsunami situation.
The Galle Trawler Fleet.
The entire Galle Trawler Fleet was destroyed in the tsunami. ASL liased with the fisheries department and took a list of all Trawlers damaged or destroyed in Galle, including the names of the fisherman, the boat registration numbers and the police reports filed in the wake of the tsunami. ASL made a commitment to the fishermen to replace each of the 21 boats. We set about trying to find a site to construct a boat yard close by the harbour. We commissioned, funded and fitted out the Nath Boat Yard to build the boats thus supplying further livelihood assistance to the local community for 2 years. We had to create the moulds and work with the constraints of the weather conditions. We managed to salvage some old engines and we bought new reconditioned ones for the rest.
On the 5th of June 2006, ASL celebrated the Launch of the new fleet. The ceremony was quite an occasion attended by the Minister of Fisheries and several other high ranking officials. The Sri Lankan press was out in force, Kandian Dancers lead the ceremony in colourful style and all round it was a great day for the Sri Lankan Fishing Industry; the founder of Adoptsrilanka Geoffrey Dobbs and General Manager Sharron Ward gave certificates of ownership to each fishermen. Due to minor technical problems 3 boats were held in dry dock at the harbour and finally launched in February 2007. Special thanks go to the Lister Foundation who generously sponsored seven of the boats with engines and to all the other private donors who made this project possible. (See pix below)
