Part of this ancient craft is Tony, a supervisor for a family of boat-builders at Pump Road, Mon Repos, who secures contracts to build fishing boats.

Tony says June to Decem-ber is the slow period and January to April are the busiest months in the year for the trade. One reason for the slow period, Tony says, is the scarcity of materials.

"It is boat wood, you can't just pick [it] up at [the] lumberyard," Tony notes. The reason given by lumber dealers for the lack of boat material during certain months of the year is the increase in export sales for these types of wood, Tony says. Boat-builders use mora to make the ribs of the boat, silverballi for the sides and greenheart for the bottom of the boat.

An official from Toolsie Persaud Ltd confirmed that the company exports "a significant [amount of] mora and greenheart" between April and November.

And a large number of local sawmills depend on export sales because local sales can't really sustain the mills, an industry source said.

But during the months of January to March exports are slow, hence the availability of wood until exports pick up again.

Fishermen from all over the country including Berbice and Essequibo purchase boats by Tony and his five workmen. Tony says boat-builders located closer to Georgetown have the edge because they have access to a better supply of building materials. The family who he works with made a total of eight boats in 2003 but can make ten boats per year.

"... Is not no big, big, price," Tony said, speaking about what customers would normally pay for a complete boat. His boss sells a 40-ft craft for approximately $350,000.

Boats, which are 40 feet in length, seven feet wide and four feet in depth, take seven weeks to build. Boats at 50 feet in length, nine feet wide and five feet deep take an estimated ten weeks or less depending on the weather. Most of the larger boats are used for Snapper fishing and the smaller boats are used for catching Banga-Mary.

Tony said Pritipaul Singh Investments, the fish exporting company, purchases fishing boats from the family as well as other small fishing enterprises and individuals in the industry.

"I like the job, it is a nice work," Tony said.

When things are slow on the boat building scene Tony supports himself by entering the fishing trade and by doing boat repairs.

Even the fishing business is a challenge but Tony says, "we making enough to survive." He feels that if the fishermen receive better prices for their fish, things will improve. "We need more buyers... to get the price up." Tony is hoping that Guyana's recent certification to export shrimp/fish to the European Union will bring more fish buyers and better prices for the fishermen who sell to the large exporters.

Richie, a Buxtonian, is one of the ship builders who work with Tony. He says he has been in the boat building business for nearly ten years. Richie says he learnt the trade in Essequibo and feels a sense of satisfaction when he views the finished product.

"It is a very skilful work," Richie asserts. And as the boat building jobs become scarce Richie says, "If you don't build, you repair." A ready grasp of mathematics and technical drawing are among the basics needed to practice the trade along with skills in using carpenter tools. The art of boat building is passed down from those knowledgeable in the trade. Tony says he learnt the trade while in the Pomeroon.

Harichandra also known as 'Sabass', is the first person to build boats in that area, starting in 1988. He says he built passenger boats, cargo boats and fishing boats and many of the fishermen who go to him for boats, take loans from the Institute of Private Enterprise Development (IPED).

In the case of IPED, the number of persons receiving loans for fishing ventures has declined. Figures show that 42, 45 and 31 fishing loans were given by IPED in 2000, 2001 and 2002 respectively. The institute has not yet compiled its 2003 figures. However, Indar Singh, administrative manager at IPED, says some persons may have taken loans from the institution for the first time or may be on a second loan for the fishing sector.

Harichandra says his products are cheap as a 35-ft craft is sold for $290,000 and a 50-ft boat for twice as much. But this price should be higher, he argues.

"Last year was a pretty bad year," he adds, "there was heavy competition and the price of the material [is high]." Harichandra sold six boats last year compared to 11 in 2001.

"For some reason or the other when we decide to raise our prices, people just move away," he says.

He estimates that there has been approximately 35% to 40% increase in the cost of boat materials in recent times. Another senior official from Toolsie Persaud Ltd said that since early last year, the company had not increased its prices and the increase then was a maximum of $20 per BM. The official said boat- builders would normally use full one-inch thick wood by 12 inches wide. According to the official, surveys that the company has done indicate that some sawmills which are selling boat wood cheaper may not be producing consistent quality.

Greenheart is sold between $180-$190 per BM, the boat operators say.

Harichandra has continued in the business because he says, "It is a steady job," adding, that he also does boat repairs to assist him in the dry spells.

"It will remain about the same for another two to three [years]," he says, forecasting on the boat business as he explained that in the past two years the business has not been good.