Quick answer: Jacques Valer.
Si vous saviez sans doute que l’architecte “maison” du chantier a dessiné tous ses bateaux, dont le JPK 1050, vous ignoriez peut-être qu’il a également conçu les plans d’une pirogue de 8,70 m pour l’association P.E.R.S.A.I. VERT, au Sénégal, que JPK accompagne depuis 2019.
Founded by French and Senegalese members in 2019, the association aims to develop sustainable technical solutions that create local jobs, particularly through a composites project. The shipbuilding sector is growing rapidly, with a need to renew the fishing fleet, but no training in this field is available in Senegal. Training is therefore essential, and PERSAIVERT is working to provide this through internships.
The current project is the construction of an 8.70 m composite pirogue, designed by Jacques Valer, whose code name is Christine. At our modest level, we have been supporting its construction for several years:
- training Émile, a Senegalese intern, for a month and a half. He is now a trainer for the association.
- Participation in the shipment of raw materials for the manufacture of composite parts.
- Purchase of the wood used to build the model of the pirogue (photos at the bottom of the page).
This pivotal stage took place last November at the Ngaparou centre. Eight young apprentices worked on building the model of the pirogue under the guidance of trainers Abdourhamann, Émile and Didier: tracing, machining and assembling the various components. Beyond the project itself, the aim of this experience is to enable them to acquire essential practical skills in the field of boat building and composite materials, in direct line with the local development objectives of the association.
Le lien ne s’arrête pas ici, puisque Jean-Pierre Kelbert prendra le départ de la Cap Martinique en avril prochain en solitaire à bord d’un JPK 1050 siglé P.E.R.S.A.I. VERT… les logos ont tous juste été posés hier !
JPK's contribution is very small compared to the commitment of all these volunteers, including Didier Burlot, who has been putting a lot of energy, time and money into this project for years. Personally, I am very proud to wear the PERSAIVERT colours at the next Cap Martinique. You can count on me to ‘give it my all’ and represent the association's colours to the best of my ability!
The completion of such a project is the crowning achievement of altruistic efforts to bring the peoples of the North and South closer together. I would particularly like to express my humble thanks to two discreet but extremely generous patrons, who have made a much greater impression in Senegal than they have in France, where they are based! Christian Guérin, from Jean Macé High School, and Jean-Pierre Kelbert, director of JPK Composites. The Senegalese people of PERSAIVERT hold you in their hearts and express their deep gratitude.
We warmly thank Jean-Pierre Kelbert and the entire JPK Composites team for their loyal and generous support, which has made this human and solidarity-based adventure possible. Their contribution marks a decisive step in the realisation of the Christine project and in the transfer of know-how between France and Senegal. We would also like to express our gratitude to Momo, Abdourhamann's son, for his exemplary commitment to the success of this project. Through his involvement, availability and practical approach, he has greatly contributed to the realisation of this initiative: by gathering information, preparing estimates, placing orders and personally ensuring that everything runs smoothly. His active participation fully embodies the spirit of cooperation and friendship.
