The quiet profession of diagnosing problems for ships and boats in Nghe An.
Thanh Phuc•June 16, 2025 09:03
Amidst the clanging of hammers, the roar of washing machines, and the pungent smell of oil and grease, the workers diligently continued their task of diagnosing problems with the ships…
The fishing boat repair workshops in Quynh Phuong ward, Hoang Mai town, are where boats, after long voyages at sea, receive a thorough "rest" and care before heading out to sea again. Photo: PVShips weighing hundreds of tons are pulled ashore at high tide and then successively enter the shipyard to begin a routine "overhaul." Photo: TP Inside the workshop, workers diligently toil amidst a multitude of ships of all sizes. On average, each workshop receives 10 to 15 fishing vessels for repair each month. Photo: TP"Diagnosing" the ship is the first and most important step in the repair process. Using their experience and expertise, the mechanics will inspect every detail: hull, engine, propeller, etc., to devise a treatment plan. (Photo: TP)Every crack and every layer of barnacles clinging to the ship's hull is meticulously cleaned by the workers. This process requires not only physical strength but also careful attention to avoid damaging the wooden or iron hull, which is already worn down by the seawater. (Photo: TP)Hull patching is an essential part of every "maintenance" of a fishing vessel. Under the skillful hands of the craftsmen, holes and cracks are welded and sealed, restoring the vessel's necessary sturdiness. Photo: TPFrom rudders and propeller shafts to the smallest details, everything is manufactured and machined right in the workshop for replacement. Ship repair requires high skill and extensive knowledge of mechanics, woodworking, and machinery. (Photo: TP)Giving the boats a "new coat of paint"—the workers meticulously and laboriously repainted, replaced planks, and reinforced the rotting wooden hulls. They are reviving the life of a means of livelihood at sea. Photo: TPThe hardship was evident on their dirt-stained, sweat-drenched faces. Photo: TPBecause of these hardships, few young workers are currently taking over these trades. (Photo: TP) Currently, the ship repair industry faces many difficulties: silted waterways, limited investment capital, and fishermen not building new boats, making it difficult for workshops to survive. But amidst these hardships, they still diligently preserve the profession. Photo: TPClip: Thanh Phuc
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