Tribute to a work season – 2016

After a restoration season of over 3 months of growth and serendipity, much has moved ahead under Hawila’s two masts!

Thanks goes to the power of determination, the positivity of learning from skilled carpenters and random encounters, and the enthusiasm of a volunteer crew working together throughout months.

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deck

Degradation processes are now under control, the state of the ship is preserved in the most important places, deck, galley, mizzen boom, bowsprit and topmasts. Aft and forward are sanded, caulked, oiled and renewed, important beams and planks from main deck replaced and restored. The port side wall of the galley was replaced and insulation optimized. One of its panels has become an ongoing experiment; testing the use of plexiglas and a ventilation chamber, as a potential solution to condensation.

Bow fences were replaced and decorated with nordic inspired carvings. Accurate measured drawings, (made for the ship by a cross-continental cycling architect) have already helped us during an initial survey towards regulating Hawila for future shipping activities! Ben and Leo, shipwright and sailor, our skilled volunteers invited for the season, pushed forward an incredible amount of positive changes.

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carving

As is the nature of this ship, many things are larger than imagined and plans are only a safety line in changing seas. Unexpected surprises balanced out the unforeseen issues and we move forward stronger for it.

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We were happy, to be able to challenge ourselves and do things we’d never done before. To learn from knowledgeable craftsmen how to work skilled tasks and see woodwork in different styles from, allowed us all to get much more comfortable with wood ourselves. It was powerful to develop friendships and synergies with other projects that connect with what Hawila stands for, both in terms of restoration communities and social initiatives. Alongside the work, we kept Hawila’s space open to the public. With the support of Juan Pino, Mambe, Rebecka Maria, Ashti Abdo and the entire crew, Hawila’s space was transformed into a magic venue a handful of times. So we also had moments throughout the months to restore energies for the intense work, taking the occasion to update outside communities about the advancement of the project.

Winter will be the time for preparing and scheduling of activities for the coming year. To meet our goal of sailing within next summer, an intense timeplan is on the way. Works will start again in the beginning of spring 2017, so get in touch with us if you’d like to collaborate in the next restoration season!

Special heartfelt thanks to those who contributed to our work and  crew this summer and fall:

Leonardo Panizza, apprentice boat builder, Benjamin Cremades, traditional boat builder,  Etienne Mignon Le Vaillant, sailor and carpentry apprentice, Ales Milos Cerny, electrician and plumber, Robert George Weir, cook, Serena Abbondanza, deck hand and architectural drawings, Anoop Shekar architect and cook,  Yogan carpenter, Danni Masso, deck hand, Marielle Weber, deck hand, Lisa Geldys deck hand and assistant cook, Anton Corbal, deck hand, video maker, Cesar, deck hand, video maker, Mariana Bolano, deck hand, photographer, Alexandros Perellis, caulker, and all the amazing folks who dropped by to give us a hand!

May the darker times be good to you all, stay with us, we’ll keep you posted ! 

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