Bissau, July 8, 2025 (Lusa) - Santinho and Kaby, two of the most experienced boatmen who connect the mainland of Guinea-Bissau to the Bijagós, told Lusa on Tuesday that training sailors is essential in the context of the islands’ recognition as a World Natural Heritage Site.
On 11 this month, in Paris, UNESCO (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation) is expected to declare its recognition, a fact that the two Guinean sailors foresee as “increased responsibility” for those who transport people between Bissau and the Bijagós Islands.
“It is necessary to train sailors so that they are at least familiar with the Navigation Chart and know which rivers in Guinea-Bissau are navigable,” noted Santinho, a pilot with more than 20 years’ experience operating boats for the Institute of Biodiversity and Protected Areas (IBAP).
Santinho Joaquim da Silva, commonly known as Santinho, and Kaby, alias Libânio Natália Lima Lopes, the latter an operator of boats at Ponta Anchaca, one of the leading hotels in Bubaque, anticipate that UNESCO recognition will increase the flow of tourists to the Bijagós Islands.
“We will have more responsibility. We need good engines, life jackets and telephones. Travelling with someone who is unfamiliar with the sea requires extra planning, especially when you encounter bad weather,” observed Kaby.
Santinho notes that the current crew operating the boats between Bissau and the islands possesses accumulated experience, with training programs now planned to produce qualified sailors in Bubaque.
The IBAP boat pilot explains that these untrained sailors sometimes encounter situations that leave them stranded at sea, highlighting the need for the upcoming training.
“The route between Bubaque and Bissau is full of sandbanks (…) we have often seen hotel owners travelling to Bissau to transport tourists to the islands,” said Santinho, who trained in Mauritania and Senegal.
In addition to competent pilots, Santinho proposes that tourist guides train, "who are knowledgeable about the reality of the Bijagós islands" and thus ensure that people from other countries in the sub-region do not provide this service.
‘Local guides rather than guides from Senegal, other countries in the sub-region or even hotel owners on the islands should provide this service,’ argued Santinho.
The pilot says he is aware of cases of misunderstandings between tourists and service providers on the islands due to a limited mutual understanding.
“Many of us are still learning French or English. Knowing how to say ‘oui’ or ‘yes’ is only the beginning. You have to know how to answer tourists’ questions,” Santinho added.
The islands, considered a natural and cultural treasure, are among the 32 sites around the world nominated for World Heritage status. UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation, will announce its decision on Friday, 11 July, in France.
The 47th meeting of the World Heritage Committee will take place until 16 July at UNESCO headquarters in Paris, France.
MB/ADB // ADB.
Lusa
