Hainan Boatbuilder Construction Process

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.

The workers begin the process by setting the bow stem and keel for a new boat.

“We start by building the main bones for the boat (frames). Three sections are the most important, the boat’s head (bow), bone (keel) and tail (stern), these three main components.”

Master builder Mr. Goh discusses next steps.

Templates are used to trace out the boat framing pieces.

Templates hanging ready to use for each boat design.

Frame components bolted together - ready for planking.

The boat's structure takes shape.

“Shaving, sawing and shaping all the large wood frames for the boat that you see here. It is all done by me and the boss.”

Here the workers heat the planking boards with a blow torch, gently bending each one to shape, fitting perfectly onto the boat hull.

Heavy galvanized metal spikes are hammered into pre-drilled holes to secure each plank.

Each spike is carefully countersunk by hand.

After the planks are nailed into the frame, the gaps between them are sealed using cording.

The traditional craft of building a large wooden fishing boat comprises both intangible and tangible forms of heritage that could disappear due to contemporary issues.

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.