Traditional seafaring in Iran has been completely abandoned for about five decades and is unfortunately on the way to being forgotten. The idea of reviving traditional sailing navigation was formed in 2017 after a discussion and consultation with the researcher, Mr. Ali Parsa, and gradually developed. For more than five years, this researcher has investigated the history, tools, methods and generally the culture of seafaring with wooden and sailing ships in Iran. He has published the results of his field research in the book "The Southern Sails, Seafaring in the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean". Consultation and research about the history of traditional seafaring and various types of sailing ships showed the use of "Boom barge" as the most suitable and attractive method for this project.
After several months of searching in various ports and islands of the Persian Gulf, we finally purchased a Boom barge, and thus the "Baboo Boom project" was started. After the barge was transferred to Kong port, the restoration process began. The changes that were made during the Baboo Bom renovation project on the barge are:
- Replacement of woods in some parts of the barge
- Repairing some parts of the barge
- Reconstruction and repairing some technical and navigational parts, especially sail and mast
- Creating a suitable space for the presence and use of tourists and visitors, including the creation of catering and accommodation facilities, etc.
Many consultants and experts have been with us, during the project of renovating the barge. The most important person among them was "Abdul Rahman Baboo". Baboo, who is now about 90 years old, is one of Iran's most important living old sailors. During this project he helped us with his knowledge many times. To honor his helps and to keep his name alive, we have given his name to our Boom barge, and called it "Baboo Boom".
Abdul Rahman Baboo and Abdullah Issa continuously supervised the details of the work from the beginning of the project to the end. And the design of the mast and sail components and it's accessories was completely done by them. It should also be mentioned that Mr. Baboo is known as an accurate and skilled sailor among the sailors of the north and south of the Persian Gulf; and one of the strengths of the current project has been his continuous presence as a consultant alongside the executive team. He also provided this team with a relatively complete collection of his old seafaring equipment, which is the result of his more than 70 years of seafaring.