The ‘Joaquín’ returns to preside over the entrance to the Arenal
The boat was removed for the installation of festive lights and the town hall took advantage of the removal to renovate it.
Monday 27th February 2023
Mike Smith
The Department of Services has replaced the “Joaquín”, the artisanal fishing boat that decorates the roundabout at the junction of Avenida de la Libertad and Avenida de la Fontana at the entrance to Arenal beach zone.
The ‘llaüt’ was removed in December to install Christmas decorations and the department took advantage to renovate the carpentry and painting. The work was done by the municipal brigade and, at the end of last week, a crane returned it to its location.
The boat, donated by the sailor Pedro Morató in 2014 and installed in a highly visible space, is a symbol of the fishing activity in the town and a reminder of the craft work that the shipwright Amadeo Ros did more than seventy years ago in the workshops that he had in Xàbia.
The councilor responsible for Services, Kika Mata, explained that her department intends to renovate the other fishing boat that sits in a garden area at the junction of Avenida del Puerto and Camí Vell de la Mar near the port. This is larger vessel and therefore its repair must be entrusted to a specialized company through bidding. It is estimated that the cost will be around 40,000 euros.
