In Greece, a predominantly maritime country, there are still ships built with traditional techniques that have a unique value due to their cultural and technological characteristics. Shipbuilding was one of the most important industries of the country in the 19th and until the middle of the 20th century. It was one of the country's most important industries in the early twentieth century. Many of the design features applied to wooden ships were a direct development of similar features used on ships in the Aegean in earlier historical periods. The preservation and study of these features undoubtedly helps to make clear the continuity of the naval and shipbuilding tradition through the centuries. This is perhaps the main reason for the value of salvaging and restoring unique traditional ships that were built with pre-industrial techniques and are no longer in use.

​

One such ship is undoubtedly the 'ELENI P.', one of the largest salvaged 'Perama' ships.

​

The project partnership aims to recover and preserve as many salvaged parts of the ship as possible and to investigate possible uses, to conduct a comprehensive study for the construction of a faithful replica of the "Eleni P." containing as many of the salvaged and preserved elements as possible, and to conduct a study for the use and sustainability of the physical replica of the ship in order to finally create a digital replica of the restored ship.

The above objectives will be achieved through the preservation, documentation and promotion of the parts of the ship that can be preserved, as well as through the integrated study for the construction of a physical replica of the ship and the design and creation of a 3D digital replica for the promotion of the maritime heritage of Hydra and the Aegean Archipelago in general.

​

Specifically, 2D and 3D design (2D/3D), replicas and 3D digital parts of the ship, targeted and specialized diagnostic and maintenance work are carried out in the shipyard, with the wood diagnosis and maintenance work carried out by specialized recognized Greek scientists, the design and promotion work being carried out by specialized architects and civil engineers, designers and wood technologists, and the documentation and promotion work being carried out with the significant participation of the staff of the Hydra Museum and the Directorate of Modern Cultural Heritage and Intangible Cultural Heritage (MNH) of the Ministry of Culture and Development.​

​

​

Scope & objectives of the project

In Greece, a predominantly maritime country, there are still ships built with traditional techniques that have a unique value due to their cultural and technological characteristics. Shipbuilding was one of the most important industries in the country during the 19th and until the mid-20th centuries. Many of the design features applied to wooden ships were a direct evolution of similar features used on ships in the Aegean in earlier historical periods. The preservation and study of these features undoubtedly helps to maintain the continuity of the naval and shipbuilding tradition through the centuries. This is perhaps the main reason for the value of salvaging and restoring unique traditional vessels that were built using pre-industrial techniques and are no longer in use.

The project is expected to represent a significant advance beyond the "current technological state" of Greek standards in the field of diagnosis, conservation, documentation and promotion of historical cultural relics and especially traditional vessels, as it will develop new innovative methods, tools and approaches for the protection and preservation of the country's modern cultural heritage and intangible cultural heritage, focusing on traditional boats and traditional shipbuilding. It is particularly noteworthy that the project is negotiating an innovative approach to the acute problem of the impending uncontrolled deterioration of wooden boats, which have not been maintained for many years despite being designated as monuments. The proposed intervention procedure is in line with the recent regulation under Article 63 of Law 4481/2017 on movable monuments and preserves, as much as possible, both the tangible and intangible characteristics of these vessels that have made them unique examples of the Greek shipbuilding tradition.

The innovative results of the project, such as the complete guide (best practice) for the salvage of traditional ships, which does not exist today and urgently needs to be created, the 2D and 3D construction (2D/3D) of the replica and digitally conserved 3D parts of the ship through targeted and specialized diagnostic and conservation tasks, as well as the pilot operation of a demonstration laboratory in the form of an "Open Lab" through Virtual and Augmented Reality technologies (AR /VR) aim to create a new "Cultural Experience", ie. i.e., providing digital experiences/services related to traditional ships and traditional nautical art. However, this is not limiting, as the methodology and related tools to be developed can be applied to other commercial/economic sectors with the appropriate adaptations (e.g., orchestras, performance venues, event venues, etc.) ).

For the creation of the above mentioned "cultural experience", the "ELENI P.", one of the largest preserved Perama (total length 22.20 m) built in Skiathos by the most famous shipbuilding family of the island, the Mytilinians, is used as a model for a pilot boat. The width of the vessel is 7.10 m, the depth is 2.50 m, the total capacity is 77.54 gross tonnage and the maximum cross section is 10.60 m. The vessel with the registration number Hydra 167 has an internal combustion engine MERCEDES 200 BHP. The construction of the "ELENI P." was started in 1939 and was completed relatively quickly, but during the war the hull was left outside, so the ship was "on its belly", which eventually affected the capacity.

Project Implementation

​

The main objective of the participating organisations is to apply and test innovative technologies in this intervention pillar, using non-destructive techniques for the diagnosis and maintenance of Hélène P..

The overloaded condition of the vessel has led to its lateral collapse. Therefore, an immediate intervention is required to save what can be saved and to establish a complete documentation of the ship. The latest autopsies have shown that a controlled dismantling is the only possible solution. The proposal aims to save as many elements of the ship as possible, individually or as a whole, in order to preserve them in a suitable place for possible future use, such as the construction of a faithful replica.

 

The project will be carried out in seven research units (RU). In the first, the technical studies and planning (RU1) of all field work will be carried out to ensure accurate, safe, timely, and optimal execution of the work. In the second (EE2), the main field works will be carried out both in the Koupetori shipyard (external partner of IAMY) and in the DEXY laboratories, where the conservation of each part will be carried out in order to make a detailed inventory (see next section) and preserve them in a safe place for their future use. In the third working module (WP3), the digital mapping of the recovered parts of the ship, either individually or as a whole, will be carried out, followed by the elaboration of a complete technical study for the construction of a replica of the Eleni P. Passage. In the same working module, the created digital and drawn material will be used for the construction of the 3D digital model of the replica of the 'Helen P.', for which the study will also be prepared. The fourth working module (WP4) includes the creation of a demonstration platform for the presentation of the replica of the "Helen P." with applications of augmented and virtual reality (AR /VR), the main objective of which is the promotion and dissemination of the rescue and utilisation efforts of the monument "Helen P.". In this context, the digital use of the cultural heritage of the monument "Helen P." will be carried out with the creation of a digital platform with several applications. The next module (EU5) includes the demonstration of the presentation platform and the full operation of all digital applications of the project. As part of EU5, the Open Lab, operated on site at the Hydra Museum and other locations by experienced external IAMY staff, will allow visitors to IAMY and the Greek Ministry of Culture to follow the maintenance and restoration work on the various parts of the ship in the lab in near real time. Then there are two other working modules that include the study on commercial exploitation, sustainability and business planning that will be an important tool within the project to exploit the results of the project, and the studies on the need and sustainability of the project for the use of the salvaged parts of the ship by LINK S.A., external partner of POLITISTICA, and the construction and use of the physical replica of the Eleni P. as a mobile exhibition (EU6) by Mr. Damianidis, external partner of IAMY. Finally, EE7 describes the participation in commercial and technological exhibitions (EE7) to further disseminate the results and conclusions of the project. READLAB and Politistica, as well as the four research and dissemination organisations of the partnership and/or cultural institutions, will participate in similar exhibitions in order to promote the project results to relevant stakeholders and the respective business sector.

​

Expected Outcome

Exploitation of an innovative product:

- With the elaboration of a comprehensive design study of a faithful replica of Hélène P., in which the preserved elements are integrated.

- With the creation of a digital copy of the restoration of "Hélène P." and its transfer to the public as a living exhibit, an annex to the already existing Historical Archive of the Hydra Museum.

- With the integrated platform for digital content and the visitation of the Perama "Helen P.”.

- With the AR /VR applications (mobile/tablet/ PC).

- With the 3D digital model/replica and associated digital drawings for future reconstruction of the model.

- With the creation of a digital open laboratory for the acquisition of experience by any interested citizen, scientist, etc.

- With the business planning study for the commercial use of the platform and AR /VR applications by the participating SMEs (six years 2020-2026).

Job creation:

- Retention and creation of new jobs, as both private entities involved in the development and use of digital tools and applications and tour platforms need skilled personnel in the field of digital applications, and public entities that undertake the management and use of the monuments in question need new personnel to support their use, such as historians, archaeologists, guides, conservators, etc.

Excellence and competitiveness of the economy:

 

Growing beyond the current state of the art through:

• Developing innovative methods, tools and approaches for the protection and preservation of the country's modern cultural heritage and intangible cultural heritage, with a focus on traditional ships and traditional shipbuilding.

• Filling a gap in the legal framework for the preservation and protection of traditional ships and historical monuments in general that are at risk of destruction (already 4 similar ships have been destroyed before their timely rescue, and the present project will therefore provide an opportunity to avoid past mistakes).

• The creation of a best practice guide for salvage of other traditional ships, which currently does not exist and urgently needs to be created.

• The creation of products and services at a high technological level that can be used in many cases of preservation and salvage of cultural monuments on the domestic market.

• The significant contribution to the export of know-how, innovation, diversification and technological upgrading through the tools and applications to be developed.

• The development of a guide explaining the structure and services that a public institution should provide for the use of historical monuments preserved through their digitization.

 

Quality of dissemination/promotion plans

• Contribute to the preservation of traditional knowledge and know-how of traditional rickshaw construction in the country.

• Promotion and dissemination of project results through targeted actions such as the organization of information workshops, participation in cultural and digital technology trade fairs, participation in scientific conferences and publication of research papers.

• Synergies between the project partners for a better economic exploitation of the results.