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The Founding of the Brotherhood of the Coast
In the second half of
the 17th century the buccaneers from Tortuga
Island, Haiti, comprised of a society that was organized along the strict rules as set out in the
"Law of the Coast". They called themselves
the "Brethren of the Coast", "Brothers of the Coast" or the "Brotherhood of the Coast".
These men carved for themselves a new and contented way of life ashore within
the confines of the land.
An excellent article on the History of Tortuga
(1625-1688) can be found at www.geocities.com/Tokyo/Garden/5213/tortuga.htm.
Contents
It was in "Santiago do Chile" on
4 April 1951 that seven sea loving navigators created the nautical fraternity and called themselves the
"Brethren of the Coast". One of them, an European medical doctor (Anselmo Hammer)
travelled all over the
country to market medical products. He utilized his travelling to introduce the idea of fraternity to various
Chilean sailing clubs with much dedication and enthusiasm.
Thus, the simple and romantic nautical fraternity spread from Chile (and eventually by Chilean seafarers)
to Europe and the rest of the continents.
The seven brothers who founded the Fraternity have since passed away. In their honour the tradition of
having a minimum of seven members in order to start a table, is maintained.
The 8 commandments of this fraternity were instituted by the seven founder members on
7 November1951 in "Santiago do Chile". This is the only philosophical document which rules the
"Brotherhood of the Coast" and it is the only law which is to be accepted by the brothers all over the world.
By thinking of people like Prince Henry the Navigator, Bartholomew Diaz, Emmanuel lord of the navigation,
Christopher Columbus, Ferdinand Magellan and Vasco da Gama, one realizes that Portugal has been known for ages for
the superior knowledge of the oceans and the exploration of new worlds.
So it would not be strange to find that descendants of Portugal would be some of the first Europeans to join and
to further the course of the Coastal Fraternity.
The community from Portugal is one that comprises individuals who practice the art of sailing or who have been
recognized as having special interest in matters of the ocean.
The first Portuguese fraternity
of "Brotherhood of the Coast" was found in Luanda (Angola) and recognized in 1969 by the "Council of Fifteen" (the supreme
international body of this fraternity).
Its founders, Sergio Conde Ribeiro and Manuel Herculano de Carvalho, initially learned of its existence in
nautical magazines. The first Great Brother, an old sailor named Raul da Cruz Vegar, wrote about the fun and
wonderful times which they experienced.
In December 1968 Luanda's table was affiliated to the table of Chile. On 12 March 1969 the Council of Fifteen
declared that Luanda's table has the right to call themselves the first African table for the Brotherhood
of the Coast.
Due to uncontrolled circumstances the table stopped to be active during the
middle of the nineteen seventies.
In 2004, on behalf of the seven brothers resident in Luanda from the South
African table, brother Mario Fontes ( # 19 South African Brotherhood ) requested
to be the emissary responsible for re-instating the Angolan table.
In virtue of the South African table holding a Class B qualification (at that time), it was
requested from the Portugal Brotherhood that the 7 brothers be able to
re-float the Angola Table. Their support was duly granted and this was the
first step towards re-instating the Angolan Brotherhood to its rightful status.
Correspondence between the Portugal Table and SECOIN (Swiss) was exchanged.
The request was granted, with South-Africa as "parent" country for two years to assist and we are grateful
that the story of this Brotherhood's survival and existence were recognised
and accommodated by the laws that govern our Brotherhood.
Only history will show how fast this table will be re-floated and re-take the
place as the oldest table in Africa.
In the beginning of 1987 Joao da Costa Lopes and Antonio Silverio Ferreira, as accredited emissaries from
the French Table of Bretagne, not the United Kingston table, initiated Lisbon
table. They enlisted Peter Zickermann, who informed them about Luanda's fraternity (of which he was a member).
Informally 20 people met in a Lisbon restaurant during March 1987 and decided to start the "Brotherhood
of the Coast
of Portugal". A commission comprising of Joao Lucio, Peter Zickermam, Julio Cesar Deguncho, Vasco Cardoso and
Humberto Baptita da Costa, was set up to study and elaborate on the fundamental texts. The group was officially
registered on 23 July 1988.
The history of the South
African Brotherhood date back to 1975 when Joao Costa arrived in Cape Town, from Angola, at the helm of yacht
"Elize". Since he was close friends to the members of the Luanda table, he felt the necessity of starting the
fraternity in South Africa, to maintain the nautical traditions and friendship that his friends from his former
hometown had so readily excercised.
It was with the Rally Expo '98 that the old dream was rekindled. A number of participating yachts, amoungst those
"Bes de Portugal", "Atlantis" and "Oceanos" docked in Cape Town. To Joao Costa's great amazement, Brotherhood flags were flying on these yachts. To his greater delight, amongst the crew, he met his old-time friends
(and former members of the Luanda fraternity) of 35 years ago and now were members of the Portugal Table,
Jose Inacio and Fernando Sancho.
On the evening of 31 December 1997 these friends join Joao at the Saldanha Bay Yacht Club to celebrate
the coming of the New Year. Also present were Manuel Martins (who was to do a return sail to India), Maria Joao
Gaioso (daughter of Joao Gaioso Henriques), Rui Sancho (Vise Commodor of Luanda Yacht Club), Ian Ferguson and his
wife Kate Ferguson.
On this evening the table of South Africa was created by the reading of the Luanda Table's original code of
conduct, by Rui Sancho.
Present as founder members of the South African Brotherhood of the Coast was Joao Costa, Joao Costa (Jnr), K Nicoll,
Manual Martins, Chris Campbell, Derick Renshau, B.W. Horsburgh and Louis Bessinger.
In December 1999 Joao Costa received the Costal Brothers burgee accompanied by a letter from the
National Captain in Portugal, Jose Inacio. The letter appointed Joao Costa as emissary and acknowledged his nickname of
"Capitao Viganca" (Captain Revenge).
The letter was the seal of approval and recognition for the South African Brotherhood
of the Coast.After this the Table searched for other Tables in the world,
only managing to make contact with the Chile Brotherhood in 2002. This
Table asked to be incorporated into the International body. His Excellency
of SECOIN proposed on July 17th 2004 that the South African Table will be
accepted within the Brotherhood of the Coast of the world, for a trial period of
two years, as part of Part B in the official roster of the National
Brotherhoods.
During the November 2006 Meetings of the National Captains of the World, His
Excellency of SECOIN proposed that the Table of South Africa should be promoted
to Part A of the organization, taking the place with the other tables of the
world. On 24 November 2006 the following fax was sent to the assembly of
National Captains:
| To: All National
Captains Our attendance at this
magnificent International gathering in unfortunately not possible.
However, it is with immense conviction that I confirm that the South African
Brotherhood is with you in spirit at this extraordinary event. We once again
Voice our commitment to the traditions of the Brotherhood and the strong
Bonds of friendship forged by those dedicated to the Sea.
You can be assured that the two Ports, namely that of Saldanha Bay, South
Africa and that of Luanda, Angola have firm rudders which are guided by our
Thoughts and billowing sails filled with the winds of imagination and
Friendship! We are with you today in this magnificent city of Buenos Aires.
Our best wishes for an excellent Zarrafancho. May the decisions of our
National Captains once again prevail and promote a solid future of unity
Amongst all Coastal Brothers wide-spread across our planet's oceans and
Seas.
Joao Costa (C. V)
International Vigia B.O.C South Africa |
On 29 November 2006 the following e-mail was received:
|
Orza!
Your message has been read in Buenos Aires, and I have the pleasure to inform
you that the South African brotherhood has been promoted by the Assembly of
National Captain into list A of our Directory!
Congratulation
Jacques Rial
ex-SECOIN
|
So, dated from 31 December 1997, this table takes its place between the other
Brothers of the World.
The modern flag of the
Brotherhood of the Coast derived its origin and inspiraton from the pirate flag, the "Jolly Roger". The flag was adapted
by the Brotherhood of the Coast and has a black background with an anchor, 2 stars on top en 2 crossed oars at the
bottom. These symbols are white, replacing the "Jolly Roger's" skull and crossbones with an anchor and 2 oars
respectively.
The diverse International Tables have the option of placing a national emblem or any emblem of their choice at the
bottom right side of the flag. This emblem should be white. E.g. the Portuguese Brotherhood uses the cross of
Christ which was used by the old caravels.
The core of Chilean principles specifies that meritorious service for the Brotherhood is recognised by the
stars on your flag. As the Brotherhood of South Africa, we will recognise the following insignia:
 | National
Captain | 3 gold stars |
 | Grand Scribe | 2 gold stars |
 | Guard of the Treasury | 1 gold star |
Nautical achievements denoted by different coloured insignias are placed in the bottom right corner of the flag.
 | Gold Turtle | dropped anchor in Tortuga Islands |
 | Orange Star | one circumnavigation of the globe |
 | Red Star | any one ocean crossing |
 | Green Star | one non stop navigation of 500 miles or more |
 | Yellow Star | a non stop voyage greater than 100 miles |