Mobilization of the Atlantic Arc
The CAPITEN project, which stands for Cluster Atlantique pour l'Innovation Technologique et Economique dans la filière Nautique (Atlantic Cluster for Technological and Economic Innovation in the Nautical Sector), is a European initiative bringing together 18 partners from 5 countries in the Atlantic Arc, from the Canary Islands to Scotland. Led by the Brittany Region, its objective is to promote economic development and job creation within the nautical sector of the Atlantic Arc. With a budget of 3 million euros, 75% of which is financed by the European Union, the CAPITEN project is spread over three years, from 2017 to 2020. "It already mobilizes 50 to 60 people in the various partners and more, once the economic actors involved," says Isabelle Parfitt, coordinator within the Region of Brittany.
4 aspects of boating
CAPITEN deals with all aspects of water sports. 4 main axes have been determined:
- Innovative nautical practices
- Eco-design, eco-construction and deconstruction of boats
- Coastal shipping routes on the Atlantic coast
- Welcoming boaters
The Atlantic Beach Tour will complete the device to present the advances to the public.
Supporting a sustainable marine industry
In its industrial component, the CAPITEN project, led by the La Rochelle Chamber of Commerce and Industry, plans to launch an initial inventory of good environmental practices in the manufacture and dismantling of pleasure boats. A call for expressions of interest will then allow for the selection of 3 nautical eco-design projects, led by naval architects and students. CAPITEN will finance the construction of the best prototype of these 3 projects.
"In this area, the Brittany region will work to inform and approach industrialists, in particular by organizing BtoB seminars. By working on a European scale, this will enable the territories involved to see and draw inspiration from what is happening elsewhere in the Atlantic arc," explains Isabelle Parfitt.
Improve the reception of boaters
By developing short and long distance sailing itineraries, from Scotland to Portugal, CAPITEN intends to promote the sites of interest of the various waterways. In this way, it hopes to attract new clients, from individual yachtsmen to tour operators sailing in flotillas.
The marina project aims to improve services, but also to reach out to the tourist who strolls the pontoons without boating.
New practitioners
As it is the case of many institutions, CAPITEN also focuses on new nautical practices. The innovative products section, piloted by Nautisme en Bretagne, aims at attracting new water sports enthusiasts.
