Bateira Labrega
My “Rosinha” is the last bateira labrega in the entire Ria de Aveiro, a type of vessel also known as “labrega murtoseira” or “peixeira”.
It is moored at Cais da Béstida, from where you can see, on the other side of the estuary, the slender silhouette of Torreira. It is a special boat: it shares a flat bottom with the other boats in the lagoon – ideal for sailing in shallow waters – but is distinguished by its long bow and raised beak. It was not just us, the fishermen, who used the boats, as many farmers had theirs. They carried piles of reeds into them, to make beds for the animals, as there was no shortage of reed beaches that were brushed every 2 years.
My “Rosinha” is painted black as tradition dictates. Today it already has an engine but, a few years ago, on longer journeys, I hoisted the sail and, in the art of “jumping”, to catch mullet, I used the oars.
I spent many days on board my boat without coming home, sleeping under the sail, in the form of an awning and eating a stew made on board.
During their “seasonal migrations”, the Murtoseiros took this vessel with them: it was easy to find it in Afurada, Setúbal or in the villages on the banks of the Tagus.
Visit the Monte Branco Shipyard-Museum
Monte Branco Beach, Torreira