''Patchiku'', a symbol of Basque maritime heritage
The tuna and sardine boat Patchiku built at the Marin shipyard in 1959 was classed a historic monument in 2002. Restoration work on this jewel of maritime heritage, a worthy representative of traditional work by Basque marine carpenters, has just begun.
This line tuna, sardine and fishing boat was built at the Marin shipyard in Ciboure in 1959. After having sailed under three different names (Suzanne, Andre Marie, Franchic), Beñat Toral who purchased it in 1977 christened it the Patchiku.
The Patchiku was classed as a historic monument in 2002. Philippe Fautous began his career as an apprentice fisherman on this boat under the orders of Beñat Toral. In 2005, touched by its state of disrepair, he decided to purchase it. To successfully carry out the restoration work, an association to save it was created with the support of the Basque heritage protection association, Itsas Begia.
The Basque Cultural Institute, via its portal website and a page dedicated to the ''Patchiku'', will enable you to follow step by step the progress of work with photo reports and interviews with the project's main contributors and partners.
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