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An essential link between end of life and second chance
Active all along the Mediterranean coast, La Tribu Maritime works directly in ports, with shipyards or on vessels donated by private individuals. The aim is to dismantle boats destined for dismantling, in order to recover fittings, wood, portholes, navigation instruments and other components still in good condition. Since early 2025, "Almost 4 tons of material escaped the dumpster" explains Thomas Bekkers, co-founder of the association.
A structuring partnership with APER
The approach is complementary to the dismantling process overseen by APER (Association pour la Plaisance Eco-Responsable). Since the end of 2024, the association and the eco-organization have been working together to encourage reuse before destruction, based on the "polluter pays" principle introduced in 2019. An agreement now enables La Tribu to collect recoverable parts upstream, before the hulls are processed in approved centers.
Open to donations and the general public
In addition to institutional partnerships, La Tribu Maritime also calls on private individuals. Boaters with old boats, or simply unused equipment, can sell them to the association to extend their life cycle. It's a practical way of helping to reduce waste and promote more economical boating. The parts collected are resold in a recycling center at low prices, in a spirit of solidarity.
When recycling becomes a militant gesture
The initiative appeals to both low-tech sailors and DIY enthusiasts. A porthole can end up in a bathroom, a pulley in a craft room, a compass on a voyage boat. A boon for boaters on a budget. A Plastimo compass, worth ?149 new, is available for ?15. A clew is available for ?5 instead of ?45 new. At the heart of this approach is a new vision of boating: less disposable, more circular, and more connected to its environment.
