Here is a possible concise summary:
The text is a transcript of a documentary about the journey of GBEMANI, a boat that carries passengers and goods along the Congo River, one of the most dangerous rivers in the world. The boat faces many challenges, such as engine failures, sandbanks, rebel attacks, and lack of water, electricity, and hygiene. The passengers are mostly refugees who have lost everything and hope to find a better life in Kisangani, the destination city. Along the way, they encounter various aspects of life on the river, such as fishing, hunting, trading, and childbirth. The documentary shows the hardships, risks, and solidarity of the people who depend on the river for survival.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. The Congo River is one of the most dangerous rivers in the world.
2. The captain of the GBEMANI boat is also an acrobat.
3. 2,000 passengers were piled on top of each other on the boat for weeks.
4. The boat journey is the only lifeline connecting Kinshasa, the capital of Congo, to Kisangani, the third largest city in the country.
5. The journey is approximately 1,700 kilometers long.
6. The GBEMANI shipping company carries passengers without cabins.
7. Passengers must find space on the back of the boat to travel.
8. The boat is surrounded by dozens of ships in the port of Kinshasa.
9. The GBEMANI boat is approximately 100 meters long.
10. To maneuver the boat, sailors mount large cables on each side.
11. The cables are extremely tight and can break at any moment.
12. There is no passenger insurance on the boat.
13. The boat has no water and no electricity.
14. The toilets on the boat are in poor condition and require courage to use.
15. The boat's owner, Prosper, is worried about the number of passengers and the lack of payment.
16. Only 36 people out of 2,000 passengers have paid for their tickets.
17. The cost of the trip is 40 euros, equivalent to one month's salary in Congo.
18. The boat has no life jacket and no lifeboat, which is not mandatory in Congo.
19. Every year, several boats sink in the Congo River, killing almost 100 passengers.
20. Captain Rene is the only man on board who knows the exact location of rocks and debris in the river.
21. The map on board is outdated and was last updated 50 years ago during the Belgian colonization era.
22. The boat has no navigation charts to guide the pilot.
23. The river is full of debris and logs that can tear the hull off the boat at any time.
24. The pilot must stay alert and guide the boat through the river.
25. The rules of conduct for the boat are similar to those of a truck, but without coding or navigation charts.
26. The boat's crew is responsible for finding stowaways who have not paid for their tickets.
27. The cost of the trip is a significant burden for many passengers, who often go hungry or thirsty.
28. Small traders sell food and drinks to passengers on the boat, but the prices are high.
29. Monkey meat is available for sale, but it is forbidden to hunt the animals.
30. The Wagniyah people are known for their unique fishing techniques, which involve catching fish with their bare hands.
31. The fishermen take huge risks to catch fish, and many have lost their lives in the process.
32. The GBEMANI boat has a nurse on board, Mary, who provides medical care to passengers.
33. Mary has limited medical supplies and is worried about the spread of diseases on the boat.
34. The boat has no doctor or dispensary, and passengers often rely on Mary for medical care.
35. The boat's engine broke down, and the crew had to make repairs.
36. A baby was born on the boat, and the mother and child were in good health.
37. The boat's passengers are at risk of rebel attacks and piracy on the river.
38. The captain takes great risks to sail the boat through the most dangerous part of the river.
39. The boat ran aground on a sandbank and had to be pulled out by the crew.
40. The journey was delayed, and the captain had to make up for lost time.
41. The boat arrived in Mbandaka, the halfway point of the journey, after 12 days.
42. The captain decided to stop the journey due to intensifying battles in the region.
43. The GBEMANI boat arrived in time, but another ship, the Kia Pontho, had less luck and sank, killing 140 people.