Restoring boats and people
The idea of the therapeutic shipyard was born in the mind of Bernard de Véricourt. A marine carpenter by training and from a family passionate about boats, he is also a user of mental health institutions. In recovery since 2014, he fell in love in 2020 with a 1967 Edel 2, named Dapherod, seen in Guérande. He explains: "Despite the reluctance of my family, I made this purchase for a pittance. I then found an agreement with the association Siel Bleu, specialized in adapted sports. I traded the boat to them for a role as technical referent in the restoration of the boat. We financed ourselves to the tune of 10,000euros, with the preparation of files and calls for projects."
Its initiator presents his therapeutic shipyard in a few simple words: "It is aimed at a public of disabled workers, mainly in the field of mental health. The principle is that by restoring boats, we also restore people. From being consumers of care, we become consumers of inclusions."
Work on the hull, fittings and cabin
The therapeutic shipyard undertakes important work on the boat. The hull is entirely sanded and the interior dismantled. The fittings were removed, then composite work was started on the bulkheads and bunks, which were showing signs of cracking.
The hull is then prepared and spray painted.
The interiors are completely redone, with new bannettes and new upholstery.
Bernard de Véricourt testifies to the commitment and interest that everyone found there. "Eight to 10 people have worked on Dapherod since the project began. There were 4 to 6 people at all times and a nurse paired on each work session. There was a solid and benevolent teamwork, with a strong social impact. The look has changed locally and the lilies have regained their self-confidence, with a real concretization in manual tasks."
A movie and new boats to come
To mark the end of this beautiful process, a documentary film is planned, with a participatory financing campaign underway, the link to which is at the bottom of the page. And above all, Bernard de Véricourt does not intend to stop there, with other boats in project.
