90 years since the first south Atlantic aereal crossing

In 2012 commemorates 90 years since the first aereal crossing of the south Atlantic ocean, by Gago Coutinho and Sacadura Cabral. The two aviators started in at Belém, Lisbon, on the 30th march, on board the hydroplane ‘Lusitânia’. On the first day they reached the Canary Islands. On the second stage they managed until Cape Verde. When they were aproaching Fernando de Noronha island, the problems started… They were forced to stop but the plane resulted damaged. After beeing rescued by a ship they had to use a new aircraft to proceed: the ‘Pátria Brasileira’, but it's engine failed after just a few hours! Than, a new engine was ordered from Portugal. It came by ship and the new craft was called 'Santa Cruz'. It was in this manner that both aviators reached Brazil. They stoped on a few coastal cities before finishing at Rio de Janeiro, on the 15th June!

It is a similar route that the Paraguaçú intends to navegate trough, pretende reconstituir, homenageando o espírito dos aviadores pioneiros. Mas o Paraguaçú (‘mar imenso’) é portador de uma mensagem: ‘Eco-eficiência’ é a expressão que pretende transmitir a necessidade de conseguir uma maior eficiência energética, através do estabelecimento de políticas mais firmes de sustentabilidade e conservação de recursos. De 3 formas: racionalizar os recursos energéticos; proteger o ambiente; poupar as florestas (em especial a Amazónia)!