The historic vessel Corbeta, located in San Andrés, has set sail towards its full restoration. This project, valued at €14,980, was proposed and voted on by the residents of this fishing village, demonstrating the commitment of the Santa Cruz City Council to civic participation and the preservation of local heritage.
The restoration work is expected to be completed within 20 days to a month at most, after which the boat will return to its place, ready to continue being a source of pride for San Andrés and the entire district.
History of the Corbeta
The Corbeta, restored in 2021 by the residents’ association El Pescador, was included in the planned initiatives by the Anaga district, which approved funding for the restoration of this vessel, affected by harsh weather conditions. The boat, which belonged to Manuel Fernández, known as Manolo El Chocolate, became a symbol after many years of sailing with fish that was later distributed among local families.
This boat was moored for many years in the designated fishing area off Las Teresitas beach until, after its first repair, it left the sway of the waves for the safety of the shore. The residents’ group then chose to relocate it next to the Castillo de San Andrés, another emblematic site of the village.
Community Engagement
Now, with this step, the Anaga district fulfills the execution of its Participatory Budget by removing this historical emblem of the maritime activity characteristic of the area.
The Mayor of Santa Cruz, José Manuel Bermúdez, has stated that this action goes beyond the restoration of wood and paint, as “we are safeguarding the legacy of those who made fishing not just their work, but their way of life. It is a tribute to their sacrifices, to their stories, and to the wisdom they have passed down through generations.”
“The Corbeta is not just a boat; it is a symbol deeply rooted in the identity of San Andrés, evoking its maritime tradition and the lives of its people. Its restoration is one of the final pending projects to be executed under the Participatory Budgets of the Anaga district, which has already fulfilled over 80% of citizen initiatives,” added Gladis de León, the district councillor.
Context and Future Plans
This intervention underscores the effectiveness of the Participatory Budgets as a tool for enabling citizens to directly decide on investments impacting their environment, prioritising projects that have a direct impact on the community and its cultural heritage.
Last year, the Anaga district had multiple planned works across different areas, amounting to €98,898, including road resurfacing, public lighting, pedestrian pathways, and rural infrastructure, which comprised twenty actions focused on maintaining and improving trails and paths.
Among the initiatives was the restoration of the Corbeta, a representative symbol of fishing tradition, as well as the opening of the Interpretation Centre of the Atalaya Semaphore in a space at the José Pérez Rodríguez school in Igueste de San Andrés last December.
Gladis de León explained previously to DIARIO DE AVISOS that “the area executes the vast majority of the Participatory Budgets allocated to it, amounting to €118,000. Of this total, €27,000 will be used for actions throughout the district, including roofing the stage in Igueste de San Andrés and improving pedestrian safety on the Taganana road as it passes through San Andrés.”
