To navigate is necessary, let's not be deniers.

If it weren't for navigation, the precise science of understanding trigonometry, physics, meteorology, geography, biology, astronomy, etc., to harness the power of nature in sailing ships that transported ancient navigators—even if they didn't name these sciences—the world would not have evolved.

It was through navigation that we expanded territories and awareness. Today, it is through navigation that we export about 15% of Brazil's total foreign trade. And, between you and me, it could be much more, given our geographical location and the size of our coastline. We could also make much greater use of river transport, eliminating traffic, wear and tear on highways, and pollution.

And speaking of tourism and leisure, the immense potential is wasted day after day, due to the sheer ignorance of a society that has chosen to turn its back on the water and not embrace its use.

Complex rules for a Navy that is meant to handle defense and the market, and which has also been tasked with overseeing sports and leisure, even in reservoirs, and an environmental administration that doesn't weigh the cost/benefit between other modes of transport and waterborne transport, making any infrastructure intervention in the water potentially criminal.

Well then, if we're not talking about a national and international trade route, a transportation route for people, and a vibrant tourism and leisure market that employs more people than any other in Brazil, let's talk about security and climate disasters:

We will mark one year since the tragic disaster that struck São Sebastião, in a village 44 km from the center, more than an hour away by highway that was closed on days when the sky barely allowed helicopter flights. Much help arrived by sea. It was by sailing and using public and private piers that professionals, materials, and essential items reached the victims.

If anything was needed to reconsider our concepts about investing in and allowing investment in navigation infrastructure, nothing more needs to be said. One can deny it. One can deny the science of navigation as one denies other sciences. But one cannot deny humanitarian facts.