Abdulmuhsen Al-Sabti and Ibrahim Shehab Okaz/Saudi Gazette
JEDDAH —Ship and boat manufacturing has long flourished in Jeddah, and despite the technological advances, some still practice manufacturing wooden boats the traditional way. The few in Jeddah who are still building wooden boats in the same tiring way consider it a joy. Boat building is the art of carpentry. With hammers, chisels, cottons, and nails they repair and refurbish boats. Abdullah Mahdi said that he came to the Kingdom with his father during King Abdulaziz time. His father's profession was building boats. He helped his father in his profession, and his father taught him all he knew about boat building. During those times, fathers would not allow their sons to work in any other profession. Families were bonded to their professions in those times, as workers were not available. Another boat builder said that he started the profession after his father died. He and some others worked on a ship that needed maintenance in Jeddah. They finished the work in four days, and were paid SR 20. Some builders have worked in this profession for more than half a century, and see it a as hobby. They consider boats their second home. They provide delivery services of products to neighboring countries.
