Edward speaks about his project:

”The first reason that brought me to Sarteneja was a wooden boat, Ragga Gal from Caye Caulker. The boat was beached in the split to be repainted, and a closer look let see the perfect work on the planking. I realized how great the skills of the boat builder were. Only one place remains a well known spot for traditional boat building in Belize and it’s Sarteneja.

I met Juan (Ragga Gal and Ragga King builder) in his workshop at the edge of the village as he was just about to start a 35 foot boat with his long time partner Pierre Rivet. That was a sign for me, the unique opportunity to learn from such a master…

A few years later came the chance to start a project together; to finance and build a traditional cargo sailing boat in the respect of my beliefs: use as much eco-friendly materials in the construction and balance between sustainability and durability. Promote local knowledge, create jobs for the community, and reforestation of the area for hardwood harvesting… ”

Visit the official web site for Sustainable boat building of Sarteneja here for more information.

Master Shipwright Juan Guerrero and Edward R. from Sarteneja in front of the Sustainable Cargo boat built by Juan Guerrero. Designed, financing, research and supply of eco-friendly materials: Edward R.
Photo from Duncan.

More details, pictures and videos are on http://sustainableboat.bluegreenbelize.com/

This is a video about a specific work on traditional boat: caulking. As part of the sustainable vision we only use hemp fiber which is the really best for this job.

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Tradition is still alive in Sarteneja

Sarteneja is unique in Central America and the Caribbean for its long tradition in boat building. Before only accessible by the sea it was a major harbor for trades because Sarteneja was a eden for agriculture with tons of oranges, pineapples, supplying the whole country to Punta Gorda.

In the 50′s, Peter Young, arriving from Caye Caulker which was before tourism the major place for boat builders with Belize city, moves to the village and start the boat building tradition of Sarteneja. He teach the new generation (the past generation from now) the art of building wooden boats with flat bottom that are able to sail in very shallow water.

Boat builders remember the time when the resource of wood was still available around. But this time passed and lobster fishing became the main activity.

Sarteneja was the most important fishing community in Belize with a consequent wooden boat building industry able to supply fishermen.

Article from the Belize Times written by E. Pridgeon about Juan Guerrero.