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Fishermen from Santa Maria are improving their skills in the maintenance and repair of outboard motors
- Anice Lopes
- Jul 23
- 2 min read
Between the 18th and 29th of May, the fishing community of Santa Maria hosted an intensive training course on Outboard Motor Repair and Maintenance, an initiative aimed at strengthening the skills of fishermen on the island of Sal, with a particular focus on the Guardians of the Sea.
Over 11 days of hands-on learning and sharing experiences, participants acquired the essential knowledge to carry out preventive maintenance and minor repairs on their boats’ engines. The aim is to enable fishermen to respond quickly and effectively to any breakdowns on the high seas, thereby reducing operational costs, minimising vessel downtime, and improving safety whilst at sea.
The training was organised by Projeto Biodiversidade as part of the PaMAR Project, funded by Blue Action Fund, Arcadia, Oceans 5, and the Ecological Restoration Fund. It was led by Vicente Dias, a technician from Vams Náutica, based in the city of Praia, Santiago. The programme combined two key components: maintenance and repair of outboard engines.
In the maintenance component, participants learnt the procedures to follow before and after each use of the engine, techniques to maintain its performance, suitable cleaning products, how to replace parts, and inspection methods to identify potential faults. In the repair component, techniques for dismantling, replacing and re-installing damaged or faulty parts were covered.
In addition to the economic benefits, the initiative also contributes to environmental sustainability. Properly maintained engines pose a lower risk of fuel and oil leaks, thereby reducing pollution of the marine environment.
It is hoped that the knowledge gained will enable fishermen to carry out minor maintenance and repair work independently, reducing their reliance on costly external workshops and avoiding long periods of inactivity, which will have a positive impact on families who depend on fishing for their income.
The training also represents an important contribution to safety at sea, as engines in good condition significantly reduce the risk of breakdowns whilst on the water and help prevent emergency situations.
Participants highlighted the importance of the initiative, reporting:
“It’s important both professionally and in terms of safety. If any problems arise at sea, we now know how to respond.”
“I’ve already learnt good practice for engine maintenance.”
The ongoing training of fishing communities is an important step towards promoting safer, more efficient and sustainable fishing, strengthening fishermen’s resilience and contributing to the conservation of marine resources.
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