Design Research in Southeast Asia

 

Much has happened since my last blog entry. I spent January through July 2025 in SE Asia studying traditional boat design. In the US, I have spent time developing a medical device class and doing industry projects. I have stopped talking about AI because it is all going so fast that the commentary I offered a few years back can't be reasonably added upon at this time. Currently, I don't let AI touch my writing or analysis. I use AI for some graphics and music and I reference its use. I enjoyed putting my poems to music a couple of years ago, largely using AI, and have a YouTube channel set up for it as discussed in my last blog entry.

My field work and subsequent analysis will be published in a book by Penerbit UTM Academic Press soon. It will be entitled, Winds of Change: Innovation and Tradition in the Fishing Boats of Maritime Southeast Asia. Here is a little introduction to that study:

https://canadiandesignnetwork.com/newsletter-article/alluring-design/?utm_source

Alluring DesignAlluring Design

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Lusting for Internet Access

I’m involved with the maritime industry and learned of a recent case of a ship grounding caused by something remarkable. The officer on watch steered the ship near the Swedish coast so the crew could get better phone signals. Yes, a ship gets grounded, leaks oil, and is completely scrapped because of a desire for better coverage.

The lust for internet access and a small antenna caused a ship to be destroyed. This is in 2019 and in Sweden. The lessons are obvious and it reminds me of the African fable about the mouse that took refuge in an elephant’s trunk causing the elephant to finally die of thirst and hunger.

The elephant had destroyed the mouse’s nest several times so the mouse studied the elephant and learned how dependent he was on his trunk. When the elephant fell asleep, the mouse crawled into the elephant’s trunk. The elephant could not dislodge the mouse from his trunk and the elephant finally succumbed to thirst and hunger.

To be fair, alcohol and inattentiveness contributed to the grounding…

The Nautical Institute noted this was “a perfect storm of how not to run a ship.”

This is a summary of the incident from the Nautical Institute, the official report is SHK RS2019:04e

Navigation close to the coast naturally demands the OOW's utmost attention. Fatigue, distractions and of course alcohol or drugs are all enemies to safe navigation, yet still we hear of ships, crews and the environment being put at risk because basic rules have been ignored.

Early one morning, the OOW of a car carrier altered course to port to follow the coast so crew could obtain a better phone signal. He failed to update the vessel's voyage plan and then returned to his administrative work, merely glancing at the ECDIS occasionally. The lookout was also busy with other tasks, the bridge navigation watch alarm system (BNWAS) had been turned off and the S-VDR was not working.

Eventually – and perhaps inevitably – the ship grounded, resulting in an oil spill. When refloated it proved to be so severely damaged that it was declared a total constructive loss and fit only for recycling.

Subsequent investigation showed that the OOW had drunk alcohol before taking over the watch and was intoxicated. Both he and the lookout were distracted by other tasks, and the switched-off BNWAS was unable to perform its 'safety net' function.

Humility in Design

Boats amaze me.

Borders dissolve and dreams arise as they take you where you want to go. Boats have personality and character infused by those that design and build them. Living in Pennsylvania, it is interesting to look at our namesake Navy ship, the troublesome, original USS Pennsylvania. She was the largest sailing warship built in the US.

She was started in 1816 and finished 21 years later in 1837. Almost...  Over the protests of the locals, she felt the ocean swell briefly as she sailed out of her namesake state on her way to Norfolk, Virginia. There she was dry docked so the hull could be covered in marine growth resistant copper.

The USS Pennsylvania was a huge ship for her time, with four rows of gun decks carrying up to 136 guns. She was 210 feet long, with three masts and a displacement of 3,241 tons. It took a huge crew of over a thousand to operate her.

She was considered by some “the pride of the Navy and the honor of our Union” but was awash in political intrigue and criticism for her expense, antiquity, and lack of purpose. It was a project that would not die. Finally, she was burned at the onset of the Civil War in April 1861 to prevent her use by the Confederacy. A sad life for a great ship.

The USS Pennsylvania acted as a floating barracks for most of her short life, much like the ship pictured above.

Imagine the designers and builders who infused her with their talent, sweat and bruised knuckles. This was a great project to show off to family and friends. Something bigger than themselves. Something that could inspire others. However, it never amounted to anything important. It was basically a jobs program. Another humbling lessons for me as I flounder about pursuing greatness.

My son in his boat, built from what was laying around this pond. A great design and build project, letting him go where he wanted!

A vain photograph of my wife and I with our charter boat, which I neither designed nor built.

Jungle Rivers

I have spent a lot of time overseas and in varied environments but jungle rivers always fascinated me. When I was working in Venezuela, I had to cross an area where vegetation had grown over a slow moving river. I had to walk on roots while getting swarmed by mosquitoes and ants. The trees had long spines so I had to use a machete to catch myself. If you slipped off a root you plunged into the black water. It inspired me to write a short poem that captured my battle with nature:

Jungle River

The confluence of elements made it known,

That this was a world all onto its own.

No man will pass without our scar,

A vision of hatred to be carried far.

Leave us alone for you cannot prosper,

In the overgrown river we will conquer.

 

In contrast, there was a time during this Malaysian study when my family was swimming in the Lemanak River in Sarawak, Borneo and I appreciated that it was a perfect time. When my kids wanted to be with me and the brown, jungle river flowed with adventure. Poetry is often where I park my most important memories and this experience prompted me to write the following:

Lemanak River

Vine wrapped ceiling

Giant timbers reach

Palette of greens

Sticking to the sky

Muddy river droning

Current always on

Moving melody

Licorice magma flow

Far from home bed

Sliver of web’s reach

Swimming with the children

They trust my steady legs

Laughter blends with:

Water gushing,

Insect buzzing,

Primordial smells creeping,

Wet air washing,

Sunlight straining.

My arms pull Elayna and steady Eric

And these moments rage

Down the river flowing.

Is this the perfect time?

Traditional Fishing Boats of Malaysia

I have always loved boats. I love sailing them, rowing them, building them, drawing them, and studying them. When I first encountered the strikingly beautiful boats of Southeast Asia over 30 years ago, I was impressed at the use of sail and wood in commerce. Now the sails are largely gone but boatbuilders and fishermen’s intimacy with trees and traditional knowledge remain.


The construction of these boats is fascinating. Traditional Malaysian boats are normally built without drawings and from the shipworm and rot resistant hardwood chengal. The keel, stem, and stern are made from massive timbers into which are carved receiving surfaces for the rest of the framework. The planks are bent either by the simple application of force using clamps or by heating them with fire. The planks are fastened to internal frames. 

 
On the east coast the planks are connected using trunnels (wooden dowels) typically made from iron wood. This joining technique is also coupled with a traditional method of sealing the planks in which a layer of melaleuca tree bark is pushed over the trunnels. Adjoining planks are hammered over these trunnels. In contrast to this traditional technique, plank sealing is produced on the west coast and some areas of the east coast, by pressing rope between the planks. The boats have distinctive bow and stern features as well as a myriad of delightful idiosyncrasies that make them special.

Favorite Ships

Here are my favorite ships and boats - a light-hearted appreciation for spectacular craft for a variety of reasons.

Gokstad, built just right for the times. Hopefully more for cargo than raiding.

The Stag Hound was an extreme clipper, maybe not as famous as Flying Cloud but what a beautiful revolution!

The Normandie was an Art Deco inspired transport with an amazing attention to design details that made this a grand floating experience. I love the poster too!

The Jahre Viking went under different names but what a beast she was, made during a time of  the gigantism of the Boeing 747 and Sears Tower.  564,000 dwt, 1500 feet long (458 m), draft of 80 feet (24.6 m). Wow!

I always loved the "snekke". A double-ender as she should be in this North Sea environment - and appropriate for their slow speed.

This is my Malaysian fishing boat design. Beautiful in my eyes....