Vigia (nautical)

Vigia is a special type of lookout post that is located on ships sailing in the ocean. Imagine you are playing a game of hide and seek with your friends, and you need someone to keep watch so that you do not get caught. Now instead of playing in your backyard or a park, you are playing in a big pool of water.

That's where a vigia comes in handy. The lookout post is usually found on top of the mast, a tall pole in the middle of the ship, which gives you an excellent view of what is around you. The person who stands in the vigia is like the captain, only they are looking out for any potential obstacles or dangers in the water. These can be anything from other boats, rocks, waves, or even sea animals.

The lookout needs to have excellent eyesight and pay attention all the time because one wrong move could lead to disaster. Their job is to alert the rest of the crew if they see something that could cause harm to the ship, and then the captain can change course or take other precautions.

Overall, a vigia is essential when sailing in the open sea, and it ensures that everyone on duty is safe and alert while out on the water. So, just like how you need someone to watch out for you in a game of hide and seek, boats need a person to be on the lookout for them, and that person sits in the vigia.