Preservation and Maintenance of Maritime Heritage - Galleons of Sal Riquitum and Pego do Altar
My name is João Maria Barbas De Oliveira, I learned to sail when I was 11 years old and since that date, 1956, I have sailed in sailboats. In 1989 I created the first company that was 100% dedicated to the recovery of Portuguese Maritime Heritage, namely the emblematic vessel of Setúbal called Galeão do Sal.
There are two fabulous wooden vessels, each about 20m long and 30 tonnes in displacement, both built in 1943 to load salt.
The only way I found to give life to this important Portuguese heritage was, firstly, to recover and preserve them, to apply the Charter of Barcelona (annex 2 ), secondly to find work that would sustain them.
The company already has 34 years of activity and in that period it has managed to sail with more than 300,000 passengers, who have unique experiences, living with the ancient knowledge of sailing navigation. However, during the pandemic, we continued sailing, but Troiacruze was completely undercapitalized.
In conclusion: we need €20,000 to recapitalize the company, to deliver it completely “healthy” to the new generations, following the recommendations of the following international and national documents:
Annex 1 Charter of Barcelona 2002, Annex 2 Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe , Annex 3 Proceedings Congress of the European Maritime Heritage Association, EMH 2010 Annex 4 Protocol with the Administration of the Port of Setubal (APSS)
Sunset 1 - Aula de Yoga
Riquitum
About the author
My name is João Maria barbas de Oliveira and I was born in Portalegre in 1946. When I was five years old my family moved to Setúbal. I had the privilege, in the new residence, of having four windows facing the magnificent Sado Bay. one of the most beautiful in the world, it wasn't just a wonderful view, it was being part of the action, being part of what was going on at the Fontainhas Commercial Dock. Sailing boats arriving and departing, manoeuvres, dropping anchor, mealtime... a totally unknown world, for a 5-year-old child shut up between four walls, just arrived from the Alentejo
At the age of 11, in 1956, I entered the Escola de Vela Centro number 2 in Setúbal. This school was free and open to all young people who wanted to learn how to sail on sailing vessels. I continued at school until 1969. I finished my electrical engineering course in 1970.
I have no doubt that it was an enormous privilege and a unique experience, which unfortunately today is not within reach of the vast majority of our young people.
And, this is where Troiacruze can and will always be able to help more and more, replacing the old schools of free learning of sailing navigation, and perhaps even helping to recreate them. With financial independence, you will also be able to collaborate with schools in training actions, "in loco" experiences of contact with ancient knowledge, contact with nature, in addition to being able to continue to be a living "case study", of heritage recovery.
Continuing to have white sails sailing on our Sado is the biggest objective, which enhances everything we can do to finally return to the sea and fulfill our maritime heritage.
Mestre João Barbas - Socio Fundador
