22-24 September 2016
Triennial EMH congress - CHARTING COURSES
Problem solving strategies in maritime heritage
If you look at an old ship, for the owner it may be a treasure, but for others it could be a piece of junk. When you tell people that it is a former fishing vessel called 'Zeesboote' from the bays around Stralsund it becomes a bit more interesting. The story that this type of ship was rescued from scrapping by the former Eastern Germany authorities by converting them to a special class of racing yachts makes you will never forget it.
Similar stories can be told about the San Juan, the whaler replica giving back the Bask society its identity in whaling, or the Halve Maen, reliving the discovery of the Hudson Bay and River by the Dutch.
Replica's get another value. Reconversion is more obvious and charter vessels as a part of heritage is more clear: it enables story telling for long time.
Problem solving strategies in maritime heritage
In maritime heritage most people involved cherish their object but it is a hard job against regulations and lack of money. From marketing point of view the experience of the public/society must become the central theme. Put the objects in their environment again (ensembles) and create support via emotions and enforcing identity.
Sector, factor, vector
In Dutch wording: we are a 'sector' now, we claim our own position and like to get support for our 'hobby'. The next step is to become a 'factor', economically for tourism and housing for example, but also the ensemble value in spatial planning and landscape. And the ultimate step would be becoming a 'vector', a vehicle for society emotions like identity and historical awareness.
Being a vector makes it easier to defend against regulations and to raise funding.
Erenteria/Pasaia, Spain
Go to site of Albaola, the Sea Factory of the Basques
Draft logistics
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