Boatbuilding: Rekindle the Maritime Culture

As the maritime world continues to engage in profound transformations—mega ships, highlysophisticated technologies, and advance shipping technique; the cadets under Teekay and the Teekay Foundation in partnership with Balangay Marina Sailing and Yacht Club (BMSYC), initiated boatbuilding activity which provided an opportunity for the cadets to experience first-hand. 

Philippines, an archipelagic country, is historically home to boat-builders and top suppliers of seafarers around the world. Filipinos had been building boats since immemorial time and this runs through the veins of their heirs over the years. Hence, as time goes by this culture started to decline as technology advances, this initiative was planned and worked out to revive and rekindle the sailing culture of the country by involving the cadets in boatbuilding.  

In collaboration with the Philippines Home Boatbuilder & Yacht Club (PHBYC) facilitators, cadets were able to build a total of 10 Oz Goose boats-a type of dinghy boats which uses sails as propulsion

Cadets learned skills of cutting, gluing, sanding, encapsulating to assembling and painting of boats, the cadets were fueled with passion and propelled by determination. The activity also extended the knowledge and skills of the cadets in terms of seamanship, teamwork, creativity, and camaraderie which is vital in the maritime field. As future leaders, the opportunity to learn and get involved was a fulfilling experience.  

Moreover, the rationale behind is that, “in order to move forward, you must look back and be immersed with the past”. Needless to say, Philippines had rich maritime history, and boatbuilding is just one shot of tracing and deeply knowing the essence of this industry.