Fishing Vessel Buyback Program Part 3

Greetings Fishies!

So, you ask, what actually happens to a boat once it goes into the buyback program? As you have seen, ALL of the fishing licenses and permits are permanently retired and may never be fished again. This is not unique to the US, it is a program heralded and in place world wide.

Sadly, there are some boats that are in such bad condition that they can not safely carry lives or cargo. These boats are scrapped. They are taken apart piece by piece, with some fittings sold and the metal sent to be recycled.

Barging is one way that sound vessels continue to work the sea. They are used to carry cargo to many different ports. This cargo can consist of food and supplies for the off shore oil industry to any kind of freight that you can think of.

Probably the most interesting service that these vessels are entering into is in regards to extreme sports and eco-tourism vacations. The boats go into the shipyard where every interior part of her is refitted – much like what is being done to the Aleutian Ballad. The wiring and plumbing are updated as are all of the navigational aids. The staterooms and crew quarters are refitted to more closely resemble a small bed and breakfast. The galley is modernized as well.

What kinds of sports could these boats engage in? Actually they serve as the transportation and floating quarters to extreme surfers! There are many reefs out in the ocean that have breaking surf of enormous proportions. The eco-tourism trip carries the participants into some remote river and ocean areas for kayaking and nature observation.

Finally, many are simply converted to “live-a-boards” or houseboats. Those of you who watch the series “Men in Trees” should take a closer look at Sam the plow guy’s boat, the Nimpkish II. The original house has been elongated to cover most of the back deck, and the mast has been removed to accommodate that.

Stay tuned!

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