Introduction

-"Amics de la Mar de Menorca" (Friends of the Sea of Menorca") is an association dedicated to spreading and conserving the maritime heritage of the island of Menorca, particularly about the traditional wooden boats called "bots" or "llaüts" and about lateen rig.

-The association started in June '90 as a response to the lost of traditional skills of construction and the disappearance of the typical boats.

-The goal of the association is to promote the following activities:

   -The research, investigation and publication concerning our maritime heritage.

       -The practice of navigation under lateen rig.

       -Support and help for initiatives to preserve our heritage.

       -To maintain and restore our traditional boats.

       -To organize and participate in classical boats regattas.

-As well as the about considerations, "Amics de la Mar de Menorca" respects the status of Menorca as a UNESCO biosphere reserve in all the activities.

-As an example the association has restored and owns the

"llaüt" "Besitos", a boat of 8 meters, and displacement of 4,41 tons, rigged with all the traditional lateen sails. Members of the association use "Besitos" for cruising, teaching lateen sailing techniques and to participate to classical yachts regattas in Menorca and further a field.

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