A young man who once captivated audiences with his magic tricks on the Isle of Youth now steers one of the few ferries linking this region with the rest of Cuba.
José Nemías Cardoso Camejo swapped his magician's black suit for a sailor's blue uniform and currently serves as the helmsman on the ferry Perseverancia, which operates the route between Nueva Gerona and Batabanó.
While working at the local Casa de la Cultura, Cardoso learned about a maritime industry course and decided to enroll, choosing to specialize as a deckhand.
Out of around 60 participants who started the course, many dropped out; however, Cardoso completed it and was soon called to join the crew.
"That change was necessary because I love both professions, magic and being a sailor," explained the young man, who as a child, would build small styrofoam boats and release them in the streets during rainstorms.
Currently, Cardoso holds a critical position aboard: helmsman, responsible for steering the vessel and ensuring its stability.
"For me, it's truly an honor to carry such responsibility, steering a valuable ship, sometimes it gets tense, but it's a tremendous pride," he expressed.
Nevertheless, his daily work unfolds amidst a chronic crisis. Cardoso candidly describes the challenges: "We face fuel shortages, missing parts for the ship, and there are times when you set sail for Batabanó unsure if you'll make it back due to lack of fuel or a broken part."
Despite these issues, the helmsman has no regrets about his career shift. In his free time aboard, he hasn't entirely left his first passion: "When I have spare moments on the ship, I practice my magic tricks."
When asked if there's magic at sea, he answered without hesitation: "Yes, there's definitely magic at sea."
This situation isn't new, as the Perseverancia has experienced numerous service interruptions.
In May, the government of the Isle of Youth appealed for donations of an electric motor or wiring for repairs.
A month later, the Ministry of Transport reduced the service to a single weekly trip due to fuel shortages.
The stakes are high, as the Isle of Youth largely relies on this maritime route for its connection to the rest of the country, making every breakdown or service cut a direct issue for thousands of residents.
Challenges and Realities of the Isle of Youth's Maritime Connection
What led José Nemías Cardoso to switch from magic to maritime work?
Cardoso was drawn to both professions, magic and sailing, and made the switch after learning about a maritime industry course while working at the local Casa de la Cultura.
What challenges does the ferry Perseverancia face?
The ferry deals with chronic issues such as fuel shortages and missing parts, often causing uncertainty about whether it can complete its trips.
How does the Isle of Youth depend on the Perseverancia ferry?
The Isle of Youth relies heavily on this ferry for its primary connection to the rest of Cuba, so any service disruptions directly affect thousands of people.