SARVI / LINDI HARBOR THROUGH THE AGES
coordinates 58°19’48’’ 24°17′24’’E, Harbor code EE LIN
In earlier times, almost exclusively sail and rowboats were used in this area. At the end of the 19th century, the length of an ordinary boat was said to have been 16-17 feet (4.8768-5.1816 m). A short boat of this kind was easy to row and to drag onto the shore for protection against storms.
At the beginning of the 20th century, gaff sails appeared in Audrurand. which were taken into use following the example of ships. The manufacturing of boats was said to have always taken place locally and with local forces. Even two-masted sailing vessels were built. The gaff sail, which displaced the square sail at the beginning of the twentieth century, itself gives way to boat engines starting from the mid-1920s. In many cases, the motorboat was bought jointly by several fishermen.
In earlier times, fish were caught in this area with nets. From the end of the 19th century, following the example of the Hiiumaa people, they began to catch Baltic herring with trap nets.
Audru Bay [sic] fishing kolkhoz landing site [sic] 1959-60ndad [sic] Photo Ilmar Käsper [sic], ERM
After World War II, a solution to the food shortage in the Soviet Union was seen in fishing. Thus, fishing became significantly more industrial. trawl fishing, cage traps, and fishing vessels significantly larger than before became more widespread. Sarvi harbor was the property of the local fishing kolkhoz “Audrurand”.
Present day. In the years 1997-2012, TU Lindi Sadam operated, MTÜ Lindi Sadamaarendus was Joodi [sic – founded/created] 07.01.2009. Its shareholders are coastal fishermen with historical fishing rights and those who acquired a share through privatization.
“On the west coast of Pärnu Bay, the Lindi fishing harbor increasingly pleases the eye of the passerby. Lemon-yellow renovated buildings, a repaired quay, a column-jib crane, a boundary fence, an asphalted yard area”. Pärnu Postimees. 2014.
Photos:
Landing [?] place under the clouds Audru in Saru [sic] fish 1950-60-ndad [sic] Photo Anar [sic] Kala [sic] ERM
From the beach side [?] cleaned [?] fishes pukutauld [sic] virke [sic] from fishes 1958 Audru in Sans [sic] hula [sic] Cru [sic] take 1958 Estonian National Museum photo collection
Lindi harbor in ’65 Photo Elmar Käsper
Boats on slips [pukid] at Lindi harbor before going to sea Photo Lindi community center photo collection
Sarvi harbor in Pärnu district Audru Bay [sic] 1967. Photo Rein-Aksel Oras Estonian Maritime Museum
Fishing [sic] in Pärnu district Audruranna kolkhoz Sarvi harbor in 1967 Estonian Maritime Museum. Photo Rein-Aksel Oras
Liivi Lahe Council/Group [sic] The exhibition was made by MTÜ Pihlakse and MTÜ Maitsete Koda. 2023.
Landing bridge [?] house and Fishing boats [?] 1960-ndad [sic] Audru Sarvi village Photo Arved Luts ERM
From Lindi harbor to fishing Elmar Käsper’s fishing boat made into a trawler Photo: Elmar Käsper, 1962
In 1973, the Audruranna fishing kolkhoz became “Pärnu Kalur” department.
Audru [sic] built landing bridge [sic], 1974 Pärnu Museum photo collection
The January storm of 2005. “We recovered a 25-ton water cistern from under Raeküla, the boats were on the quay, all electric motors were underwater. The sea water level was up to here,” the fisherman (Jüri Kivirand) recalled, raising his hands to head height while standing on the quay. “The canal was so full of mud that there was only 30 centimeters of water on top.” Pärnu Postimees September 8, 2005.
Fishing vessel [sic] “Audruranna” department Lindi harbor water 1975 Photo Silva Kiil [sic] Estonian Maritime Museum
After the January storm, Lindi harbor Photo Audru and Medenbritt