Bare Hands
Q&A with Master Carpenters Jamal and Arman
Translated by onboard Cruise Director Carl Philippe Rousse
How did you get into shipbuilding?
We are both fifth-generation carpenters from the same village in Kalimantan, which is renowned throughout Indonesia for its shipbuilding tradition. We've been neighbours since birth, so we grew up around the craft together.
How did you learn the craft?
By accompanying our uncles and fathers. At first we watched and observed. After two years, we were allowed to start using tools and working on parts of the boats. The craft is carefully passed down from generation to generation. You are not considered fully skilled or qualified until you’ve been working at least three or four years.
How did you come to work on the construction of Dunia Baru?
Jamal's uncle is one of the most respected and well-known carpenters in the region. Luxury Phinisi yachts built for tourism are a relatively recent development, but Jamal and his uncle had already worked on one of the first of these vessels, Silolona. Through that experience, they became involved in the construction of Dunia Baru.
How many people built Dunia Baru?
There were 13 people involved in the build of the hull, which took a year to complete. From then it took three or four people to build the interior structure. Three of us from the original build are still on board today working as part of the crew, keeping the boat maintained well. If any structural repairs or replacements are needed, we carry out the work using the same traditional techniques that were used to build Dunia Baru and generations of Phinisi yachts before her.
What do you like most about Dunia Baru?
We are especially proud that almost everything is made from wood, even the door hinges. We spent a month sketching, testing, and refining these small details to make sure they worked perfectly. That level of craftsmanship makes Dunia Baru truly unique and very special to us.
