In the twenty years we have been visiting the Mediterranean – Greece and Crete in particular, we have particularly noticed the loss of the inshore fishing boats. They are still there but their numbers are diminishing as the economics of the local fishing industries make the small fisherman less profitable – and the fisherman’s children turn to the cities. Those boats that remain are replaced with modern grp boats – or become gentrified, which at least preserves them but also somehow takes the vitality out of them. I would be very pleased to be shown to be wrong.

Please understand that, yes, there is a certain amount of sentimentality in my thinking, but consider this: it may be economics, politics, new technology and the passage of time that drive these boats away but what of the knowledge, skills and attitudes that created and developed them in the first place? What is becoming of them? And what are the values that lie behind them that you and I can carry to the next generation?

I have tried to include only working boats here but they are harder to find the further west you go. I will continue to take photographs of these boats for as long as there are these boats to photograph.

These images are a thank you to all those who have shown us kindness and friendship when we have visited, particularly those we have met in Crete.

(Click on image to enlarge)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For earlier postings on this subject: For Love of a Boat.

(All images taken by Bill Whateley)