"This is a great innovation and a choice when our forests are gone. Our fishermen need this kind of ship in the future," she stated, after the "Launch and Trial of Sea Baito Deling 001" at Kenjeran Beach, Surabaya City, West Java Province, on Monday.
She expressed hope that this vessel could soon be finalized into a product that is not just a "prototype trial," but one that can be tried properly to be applied and implemented.
"Why must Indonesia import when it can make this," she added.
ITS Rector Prof. Joni Hermana explained that the bamboo laminate ship is one form of innovation by ITS, especially in bridging the rarity of wood, so that the existence of bamboo could become an alternative that is cheap and superior in quality.
"This bamboo is even stronger than second-class teak. This is a commitment of ITS to address the needs of the community," he remarked.
Deputy inventor Beito Deling 001 Heri Supomo explained that the word Baito Deling originated from the Javanese language. Deling means bamboo and Baito is a boat, while 001 is the first prototype.
"Laminate bamboo is an alternative that has technical advantages compared to teakwood, as it has a power of 1 and a half higher. Besides, it is 60 percent more economical than teak," he elaborated.
According to Supomo, bamboo construction is acceptable for ship materials, because the bamboo will be stronger in salt water. However, if it lets in the air, it will become more fragile.
"This vessel is 6 meters long, 2 meters wide, and 750 kilograms in weight. It can carry 1.5 tons of fish. It has been tested in the sea, and it can last for 25 years," he noted.
In addition to making fishing boats, Supomo will later develop tourism boats too, which are of interest to some investors.
Reported by Indra Setiawan and Willy Irawan
(T.KR-TQA/INE)
(T.SYS/A/KR-BSR/A/H-YH)
Reporter: antara
Editor: Heru Purwanto
Copyright © ANTARA 2018
