Estepona is on the hunt for a new fishing boat, but some believe the money isn’t being well spent

Anyone who regularly drives down Avenida Puerta del Mar in Estepona will be familiar with the old wooden fishing boat sitting in the middle of the roundabout. Weathered by years of coastal air, the vessel is finally being replaced.

What the town hall is looking for

Estepona Town Hall has officially opened a public tender with a budget of €68,970 (including VAT) to source, restore, and install a traditional purse-seine fishing boat. Companies interested in supplying the vessel have until August 24 to submit their bids through the official government portal. According to the official tender requirements, the local town hall is searching for a real, traditional Mediterranean purse-seine boat measuring between 11 and 13 metres long and 3 to 4 metres wide. The hull can be made of timber or fibreglass, but it must be structurally sound and retain its original wheelhouse.

Before it goes on display, the winning contractor will need to thoroughly sand down the hull, apply rust treatments and protective paint, and finish both the interior and exterior. The vessel must also display its original historical name or an official title.

Explaining the decision, Daniel Garcia, Councillor for Historical Heritage, stated: “This project allows us to keep valuing our town’s maritime heritage and the tradition of purse-seine fishing.”

Open-air history on Avenida Puerta del Mar

The new vessel will join a row of nautical features already installed along Avenida Puerta del Mar, including a scaled replica of a lighthouse and a massive ship’s propeller. Together with the Sea Museum at the bullring, town planners want the street to act as an open-air exhibition. As the council put it: “Our heritage isn’t just kept in museums. It belongs in our streets, our public spaces, and our collective memory.”

Local residents react

News of the tender quickly caught the attention of locals online, prompting mixed responses. For many born and raised in the former fishing town, the boat currently on the roundabout carries deep personal connections. One local resident noted: “For those who don’t know, that boat holds huge sentimental value for many Estepona locals. It used to belong to one of our town’s long-standing fishing families.”

Others questioned whether proper maintenance could have saved taxpayers from buying a replacement altogether. “If it had been maintained properly or coated in fibreglass, we wouldn’t have to buy another one today. It’s not just about building things; you have to look after them.”

Other residents suggested the money could be put to better use elsewhere in the area. One local asked the town hall to focus on other historical sites, stating, “While we’re talking about heritage, let’s remember our cemetery and look after it.”, another suggested green solutions, commenting, “Trees to absorb the heat would be much more important and lovely.”

Whether residents see it as essential cultural preservation or unnecessary spending, a new piece of Estepona’s seafaring history will soon take pride of place on the busy roundabout.