UNABLE TO GO TO SEA, FISHERMAN SURVIVES BY REPAIRING BOATS DURING MONSOON

KOTA BHARU, Nov 28 (Bernama) -- Continuous heavy rain since the end of last month has forced fishermen in the state to suspend their activities, but Mamat Abdullah has not been idle, turning instead to repairing boats to earn a living during the monsoon season.

“Since I can’t go to sea, I’m taking the opportunity to repair damaged boats belonging to other fishermen. Requests for engine replacements, new planks, roof repairs and leak patching have all increased during this period,” he told Bernama recently.

Mamat, 66, who has more than 30 years of experience repairing boats, said that although demand increases during the monsoon season, he has to limit the number of boats he accepts as he works alone and age is beginning to limit his strength.

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“I only take three to five boats at a time. If the damage is major, repairs can take quite a while and often require detailed work. Sometimes it takes two weeks to complete, sometimes up to three months. Since I work alone, the process naturally takes time,” he said.

Although repairing boats earns him only about RM130 a day, compared to more than RM400 a day when fishing, the father of 13 said the amount is sufficient to meet his family’s daily needs.

He also hopes the state Fisheries Department can assist by providing cutting machines and other equipment to help him complete repair work more efficiently and neatly.

“There are many tasks I can’t do because I lack the proper equipment… sometimes I have to send items to other craftsmen just to drill the boards. If I could get equipment assistance, it would make my side job during the monsoon season much easier,” he said.

-- BERNAMA