As a major part of our project here in Cahuita, the team recorded locally utilized watercraft. These boats are primarily used by the fishing community in Cahuita, who often play a major role in the preservation of the reefs, but also in the tourism industry of the area. The boats themselves are a big part of the cultural landscape of the region. In Cahuita as well as Puerto Viejo they can be seen lining the beaches waiting to be launched into the surf.
Recording:
To record these unique craft, the team used photogrammetry as well as traditional boat recording through photography, scale drawings, and detailed measurements. The aim of traditional recording is to produce a comprehensive report of every structural detail of the craft. Through this methodology, a full plan and profile for the boat can be delineated and potentially recreated using 3D modeling software. In addition to traditional recording methods, photogrammetry was utilized to record the boats and expose the students to different computer modeling softwares.
Converstaions:
Rather than focus on the boats only, the team conversed with the captains of these boats, who represent the locus of Cahuita’s maritime community. Through direct interaction with these captains, the team gained a better understanding of what the water means to the people of Costa Rica, as well as how these distinct boats fit into the broader maritime landscape of Cahuita.
