This paper describes mechanical hauling devices for beachcraft developed and tested by the small-scale fisheries project of the Bay of Bengal Programme (BOBP) in India and Sri Lanka. The paper records the project’s experiences with beach-hauling devices from 1980 till 1985. A diesel engine-driven winch capable of hauling boats up to a weight of about 1500 kg was introduced and is now manufactured commercially. A problem that still awaits solution is that of suitable rollers underneath the hull to reduce friction drag. The trials have shown that for larger craft and rough conditions, more complicated multi-speed winches are required.

Besides the authors, those who took part in the work included Mr. Oyvind Gulbrandsen, Naval Architect (Consultant), who designed and tested the manually operated capitan Mr. R. Ravikumar, Naval Architect; Mr. S.O. Johansen, BOBP Naval Architect(Associate Professional Officer); Mr. S.B. Sarma, Inspector of Fisheries, Andhra Pradesh; and Mr. E. Srinivasan, Inspector of Fisheries, Tamil Nadu Numerous fishermen also participated in the trials.

The work on beachhauling devices, and this paper describing the work, were sponsored by the small-scale fisheries project of the BOBP. The project is funded by SIDA (Swedish International Development Authority) and executed by FAQ (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations), and covers five countries bordering the Bay of Bengal — Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The main goals of the project are to develop, demonstrate and promote appropriate technologies and methodologies to improve the conditions of small-scale fisherfolk in member countries.