Hashtag Sal · video

What this video covers

A sailboat with a two-meter draft navigates 19 miles up the Rio São Francisco from Piaçabuçu to Penedo, Brazil.1:10 The crew relies on a lead boat, the *Baco*, to sound depths in real-time, as official nautical charts for the river are outdated due to shifting sediment and lack of commercial traffic.2:27 During the transit, the vessel encounters depths as shallow as 2.8 meters and successfully passes beneath a bridge under construction with the guidance of local expert Mário Jorge, who operates the Centro Náutico Penedo.12:13 Despite the assistance, the boat briefly runs aground shortly after clearing the bridge, though it refloats easily.12:27 The crew anchors in a sheltered, narrow channel off Penedo, utilizing two anchors to maintain position in the freshwater current.13:34 The transit highlights the challenges of river navigation, including the proximity of banks, the risk of submerged construction debris, and the necessity of local knowledge for vessels with deep drafts.

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