Book Launch at Thalassa Maritime Heritage Interpretation Center

About the Author

Miguel Félix Chicón Rodríguez, born in Tangier in 1960, spent 26 years as the head of Maritime Rescue in the Balearic Islands. A seasoned merchant mariner, he has shared his passion for the sea through years of collaboration with the nautical magazine Gaceta Náutica.

What’s Inside the Book

Navigating is necessary gathers 50 articles that Chicón originally wrote for the back cover of Gaceta Náutica. Each piece blends historical facts with lively anecdotes, aiming to make maritime culture accessible to everyone.

Nautical Curiosities

The collection explores odd but fascinating facts, such as:

• The origins of wind names and how sailors used them to navigate.
• Strange superstitions that once ruled life on deck.
• Lesser‑known inventions that changed shipbuilding.

Daily Life on Pacific Galleons

Readers get a glimpse of what it was like aboard the massive galleons that crossed the Pacific:

• Routine chores, from swabbing decks to maintaining the rigging.
• Food supplies, including the hardtack and salted meat that sustained crews for months.
• Entertainment and storytelling that kept morale high during long voyages.

Winds and Their Names

One section dives into the etymology of wind terms like “tramontana,” “levante,” and “sirocco,” showing how language reflects the sailors’ relationship with the atmosphere that powered their ships.

Why the Book Matters

Chicón explains that the work seeks to “open the world of the sea to society as a link between countries and cultures.” By presenting maritime history in an easy‑going style, he hopes to:

• Spark curiosity among young readers who might never set foot on a ship.
• Highlight how oceans have shaped trade, exploration, and cultural exchange.
• Preserve stories that risk being forgotten in the age of modern navigation.

Closing Thoughts

Through a mix of trivia, personal stories, and historical insight, Navigating is necessary offers a teen‑friendly doorway into the vast and varied legacy of seafaring. Whether you’re fascinated by ancient trade routes or simply love a good sea tale, the book invites you to see the ocean not just as water, but as a living connector of peoples and epochs.

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Images Credit: www.menorca.info