The initiative addresses the needs of boat operators and promotes water-based tourism as an alternative source of income for communities in the region
On Monday (24), boat operators from Paranaguá participated in a training session focused on safe navigation, accident prevention, and the development of new opportunities in nautical tourism. Organized by TCP, the company that manages the Paranaguá Container Terminal, the course “Training for Safe Navigation and Onboard Leadership” brought together 18 members of the Paranaguá Boatmen’s Association (Barcopar) for a six-hour session held from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The initiative is part of the “Capacitação Caiçara” project, under TCP’s Environmental Education Program, and aims to combine the experience of local professionals with best safety practices, preparing them for emergency situations and for transporting passengers.
“The boatmen themselves identified the need to deepen their knowledge of navigation safety. Our role was to transform this need into a training program that respected the experience they already possess while also adding technical skills that could be applied in their day-to-day work. It’s a way to contribute to safer operations and also to strengthen local communities,” says Kayo Zaiats, TCP’s environmental superintendent.
Throughout the training, participants covered theoretical topics on maritime legislation and safety, collision prevention at sea, safety and leadership on board, preventive maintenance, firefighting, first aid, navigation and meteorology, and the use of basic navigation equipment.
The program also included a hands-on session aboard the vessels, with instruction on engine operation, basic maneuvers, and safety procedures. The exercises included man-overboard scenarios, the use of life jackets and life buoys, onboard fires, damage control, and communication with the appropriate authorities in the event of an emergency.
From the experience in the Bay to new opportunities
The training was led by Fabiano Cecilio da Silva, a reserve officer in the Brazilian Navy who served for eight years at the Paraná Port Authority. During that time, he was in charge of the Waterway Traffic Safety Department, working on vessel registration, amateur boat operator licensing, vessel inspections, and customer service.
“The main objective of the Safe Navigation training is to reinforce a safety mindset among fishermen and sailors in the traditional communities surrounding the port. We will revisit important knowledge for everyday life, taking into account the unique characteristics of Paranaguá Bay and the need to balance port, nautical, and tourism activities. The idea is to transform theoretical knowledge into practical skills that can effectively contribute to safer navigation,” states Silva.
In addition to safety, the training provided an opportunity to discuss community-based tourism as an alternative source of income. Participants received guidance on leadership while on board, professional conduct when serving visitors, and the development of new nautical itineraries based on local attractions and the knowledge accumulated by the communities themselves.
“I can only express my gratitude for the support given to the Barcopar Association. The more safety-focused training and courses there are, the better it is for us and for the entire community. It was great to participate and learn new things. This training also greatly benefits tourism because it helps us provide a safer and more professional service. Today, we’re learning what’s right and how to act in the best way possible. It was a very important learning experience,” says Claricio Santos da Costa, a sailor.
For Zaiats, bringing communities closer to community-based tourism strengthens local culture and attractions. “This knowledge can open up new possibilities for involvement in tourism, generating supplemental income based on what these communities already know and experience. The course offers tools to expand these opportunities, always with safety as the starting point,” he concludes.
A second session will be held for fishermen and interested individuals from the communities of Eufrasina, Amparo, Piaçaguera, São Miguel, Ponta de Ubá, and Ilha dos Valadares. The date and location of the next session are yet to be determined.
The course is designed as supplemental training and does not replace official licenses or certifications required by the Maritime Authority for professional practice. The content, however, incorporates the safety guidelines of the Brazilian Navy and the Maritime Authority Standards (NORMAM) applicable to vessels and navigation areas.
The Capacitação Caiçara project, on the other hand, provides for different training programs based on the needs identified within the communities. In 2024, for example, TCP offered a course on Basic Boat Maintenance. This year’s edition is the first dedicated specifically to safe navigation and leadership aboard vessels and is being conducted by the environmental consulting firm Acquaplan.
This initiative is part of the Social Communication Program, which complies with the conditions of IBAMA Operating License No. 1356/2016—1st Amendment, 1st Renewal.
