Hainan Boatbuilder Launching
A project of the Centre for Research-Creation in Digital Media at Sunway University, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia
Harbour view (2019-06-05) by CRDCMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
This research-creation project was undertaken to digitally capture, archive and preserve the livelihood of the Hainan Boatbuilder of Pangkor Island, Perak, Malaysia. It has four parts.
Workers preparing for boat launch 2 (2014-03-17) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
On the morning of launch, the team continues finish work on the boat.
Workers preparing for boat launch 2 (2014-03-17) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
Workers preparing for boat launch 3 (2014-03-18) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
Final painting and touchups.
Stern Prop (2019-06-05) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
The boat stern with the large brass propeller installed.
Workers preparing for boat launch 4 (2014-03-18) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
Launch preparations under the hull.
Workers preparing for boat launch 5 (2014-03-18) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
The workers check the bottom of the boat for other required adjustments prior to launch.
Workers preparing for boat launch (2014-03-18) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
Drilling, hammering, tightening, painting; anything's needed.
Boat Launch Preparation 1 (2014-03-18) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
Mr. Goh uses stacks of wood to support blocking to begin the launch preparations. The supporting stacks easily fall away when the boat is pulled into the sea.
Boat Launch Preparation 2 (2014-03-18) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
Workers preparing for boat launch 1 (2014-03-18) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
The team removes all support structures from the sides of the boat as part of the boat launch preparation. It stands ready, supported only from the bottom.
Boat ready for launch. (2014-03-18) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
Boat Launch Preparation 3 (2014-03-18) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
Burning incense and praying for good luck and prosperity.
Praying for luck (2014-03-18) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
The boat's owners place offerings at the bow for an auspicious and safe launch into the sea.
Towboat arrives (2014-03-17) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
Simply by tying a rope on the boat's bow, the boat is then pulled to sea.
Towboat arrives (2014-03-17) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
A tugboat is used to safely pull the boat into the sea. This must be completed before the tide recedes.
Boat Launch (2019-08-06) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
With the hull fully completed, the boat is launched and towed into the sea !
Boat Launching 2 (2014-03-18) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
Celebrating a safe launch !
Boat Launching 1 (2014-03-18) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
Boat launch (2014-03-17) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
Boat Launching 2 (2014-03-18) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
Boat Dockside (2019-06-05) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
Newly launched boat sits by the dockside.The cabin and deck structures are built up next.
Fibreglass Process (2019-04-19) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
The deck cabin receives a coating of fibre glass for protection from the sea elements over time.
Night Fishing (2019-06-05) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
Fishing at dusk with lights on to attract fish.
Fresh Catch (2019-06-05) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
Bounty of the sea arrives back in port on Pangkor Island.
Master Builder Goh (2019-04-19) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
“I am Hainanese. My father came from Hainan island. After my father passed away, I followed a (boat building) master to learn his craft. Then I started building until today.”
Boat Launch Preparation 2 (2014-03-18) by CRCDMCentre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM)
This exhibition and the research-creation project that contributed to it is dedicated to Mr. Goh and his team of craftsmen on Pangkor Island, Malaysia.
Five capture trips were completed to document the whole building process of the fishing boat, over the span of one and a half years. A total of two hours of interviews were completed with the master boatbuilder Mr. Goh Boon Kong. Two senior craftsmen were interviewed in a total of one hour each. A set of openended questions were given to the translator who spoke at length with the interviewees.
Audiovisual data was captured extensively to document the stage-by-stage workflow including the wood delivery to the workshop, the prayer rituals held and the final boat launching process. This was done using a Full HD and a 4K mirrorless camera, a GoPro Hero action camera and an aerial drone. A 360-degree camera was also used to capture the environment and the workshop, to provide a virtual audience experience.
The data was further used to produce a twenty-four minute video documentary that unfolds the personal story of this unique boatbuilder of Pangkor Island. It premiered at the Canada-China International Film Festival, Montreal Canada, September 2016.
This project was created by the the team at the Centre for Research-Creation in Digital Media (CRCDM) in the School of Arts in Sunway University, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Produced and directed by Prof Harold Thwaites and Delas Santano
