Watever is a French NGO composed of professionals from the maritime industry, transport and development which was created in 2010 by Marc Van Peteghem, Yves Marre, Alain Connan and Gérald Similowski, convinced that boats can be a gateway to development. Watever assists underprivileged populations living on the shores of oceans and rivers. The NGO is looking to provide access to innovative and sustainable floating solutions, adapted to their economic, social and climatic situation. The concepts that are developed are designed to improve their life conditions by combining modern techniques and traditional knowledge.
History
The NGO arises from the encounter of its two founding members in 2004: Marc Van Peteghem and Yves Marre. A friendship was born between these two men who share the same values and results in several projects. Together they developed the concept of floating ambulance in Bangladesh, for the floating hospitals of Friendship, and produced the first unsinkable boats for the fishermen of the country. In 2010, they created NGO Watever with Alain Connan and Gérald Similowski to support the development of shipbuilding industry in Bangladesh, working on innovation and transfer of technologies. Bangladesh is considered as the pilot country where NGO Watever can study and finalize various solutions that could be replicated in countries with similar issues.
Field of activities
Watever develops floating solutions to support people living on the shores of oceans and large rivers. Its main aims are:
Support to local shipbuilding through Taratari shipyard, their local partner in Bangladesh
The implementation of a training program for the manufacture and maintenance of boats made of composite materials
The NGO also supports other maritime projects in Bangladesh such as:
The preservation and the enhancement of the local naval heritage
The creation of the M.S.R.S, the "Maritime Security & Rescue Society", a sea rescue company in Bangladesh
Projects
2005: Launch of the first two ambulances catamaran of Bangladesh
2007: Design and production of the prototype of the first unsinkable fishing boat of Bangladesh
2010: Creation of NGO Watever
2010: Launch of the first unsinkable fishing boat of Bangladesh
2010: Corentin de Chatelperron, volunteer sent by NGO Watever to Taratari shipyard, sails from Bangladesh to France on a 40% Jute made sailing boat. Birth of « Gold of Bengal » project, which will be supported for 3 years by NGO Watever.
2011: Renovation and increase of the medicalized area of the French barge "Lifebuoy Friendship Hospital," first floating hospital of Friendship
2012: Taratari shipyard delivers 7 shuttle-boats for the children of Rangamati lake ordered by Unicef
