Traditional sailing ships in international waters : -A transnational cultural heritage

Sammanfattning: Traditional sailing ships, as opposed to vernacular boats, evolved to consist of certain types of vessels that couldbe produced in the same way in different countries and were also sold between countries. They were usuallyengaged in longer voyages which often resulted in an international crew. The traditional sailing ships that sailinternationally today are still characterised by international crews. In my thesis I argue that traditional Westernsailing ships are part of a historically transnational maritime culture, and that their significance as transnationalcultural heritage lives on today. At the same time, traditional sailing ships have much to contribute to todays andfuture society. They are kind to maritime life, while proving to be useful instruments for achieving better mentalhealth, teamwork, and learning seamanship. Unfortunately, the great potential and importance of traditional shipsas transnational cultural heritage is rarely acknowledged, as today's heritage discourse is still strongly influencedby the hegemonic cultural discourse that author Laurajane Smith calls Authorised heritage discourse.Furthermore, today's maritime rules create both practical and economic difficulties for traditional sailing ships,as today's maritime rules are written for modern motorised ships that have completely different physical andeconomic conditions. Through interviews with primarily employees on the ships Götheborg and Tres Hombres,it appears that the greatest challenges are linked to the national regulations, and that there is a great need forpoliticians and officials to get involved in creating rules that are adapted to traditional ships. In addition, moremaritime officials with knowledge of sailing vessels are needed to achieve better safety when handling traditionalsailing vessels.Since traditional sailing ships often sail internationally, it is important that the regulations in different countriesare harmonised. One conclusion is that this is something that should be dealt with by the EU as the activities ofsailing ships are a common transnational cultural heritage that can contribute to more cooperation between theirmember countries and to strengthen international relations.