The old question of the maritime connection to Ilha Brava, a struggle that has persisted for centuries

In 2011, a glimmer of hope appeared for the island, with the launch of the Fast Ferry project, which promised to revolutionize maritime transport between Ilha Brava, the island of Fogo and Cidade da Praia. This project was the light at the end of the tunnel for many, seen as the key to solving a centuries-old problem that directly affected the quality of life of the people of Brava. However, almost 15 years later, what was supposed to be an innovative solution has turned into yet another chapter of frustration. The dream of the Fast Ferry has turned into a nightmare. The current situation more closely resembles the distant past, with limited and in many cases non-existent maritime connections, taking Bravenses back to the scenario of decades gone by, when trips off the island were almost a rarity.

In the 1990s, Ilha Brava had brief moments of relief. The Esparadinha aerodrome, which had been created with the promise of improving air accessibility, made it possible for Bravenses to fly to Cidade da Praia, even though the frequencies and quality of the air service were limited. In addition, the operation of the Furna Ferryboat, the Sotavento and Barlavento ships and the introduction of the Praia d'Aguada opened a new chapter in the history of the island's connections, bringing yet another temporary solution to a problem that seemed unsustainable. However, the good intentions of past years have failed to guarantee stability in transportation, and today the island once again suffers from the lack of a regular and efficient connection.

The main justification for this setback, which seems paradoxical, is maritime safety, claiming that rough seas make navigation dangerous. This explanation, which has been given and refuted countless times over the years, is viewed with skepticism by the population. After all, rough seas have always been a natural feature of the region, and have been for centuries. Bravenses know that bad weather and adverse sea conditions are nothing new to anyone and have been a factor in the island's daily life since time immemorial. So the big question is, is safety at sea really the only factor preventing the creation of a constant and safe maritime connection?

The situation on Ilha Brava gets even worse when you consider the impact of the sea conditions on the neighboring islands. When the sea is rough on Fogo Island - which is geographically close to Brava - the Bravenses are the first to suffer the consequences. The sea routes between Ilha Brava and other parts of the archipelago, especially to Cidade da Praia, become even more compromised, directly affecting the transportation of people and goods. Isolation then becomes a tighter prison, and the population feels even more the lack of access to essential services such as health, education and commerce.

More serious still is when, in situations of high demand, passenger ships are diverted to other more profitable islands, such as Santiago and São Vicente, instead of serving Brava. These islands, with their greater flow of tourists and goods, are prioritized, which means that, at peak times, Bravenses once again find themselves on the sidelines, with no viable transport alternatives. Even when there is an urgent need for a ship to service the Brava, it is often diverted to other islands, to the detriment of local needs.

This vicious cycle perpetuates the suffering of the Brava population, who, by being constantly ignored in favor of other more profitable routes, see their basic needs constantly neglected. This prioritization of more profitable demands further contributes to the stigma that Ilha Brava is treated as a second-class island, where living conditions remain challenging due to its isolation.

Many question whether, in the modern age, it wouldn't be possible to use more advanced, technologically adapted boats to cope with rough sea conditions and guarantee the safety of passengers. The world is constantly evolving and technology has made it possible to build ever more sophisticated boats and ferries, capable of sailing safely in turbulent waters, whatever the weather. Why, then, is Ilha Brava still treated as an exception to the rule, subject to outdated and ineffective solutions?

Not only in terms of technology, but also of political vision, it is essential to understand that the issue of connecting Ilha Brava by sea is not just a logistical problem, but a question of social justice. While other islands in the archipelago enjoy fast and frequent sea and air connections, the population of Brava is forced to live in uncertainty, with the constant frustration of promises that never materialize. What is at stake is not just improved mobility, but the dignity of a people who, for centuries, have been fighting for their right to connectivity and development.

Therefore, the question remains: why continue to sacrifice an entire population for issues that, with the technological advances available today, could be resolved? Isn't it time to give Ilha Brava a definitive answer? The brave Bravenses, who have faced the rough sea for so long, deserve, more than ever, a solution that will allow them to live with the same level of accessibility and dignity as the other islands in the archipelago, not least because the island only depends on maritime transportation.