The Independent Life of an Indonesian Sailing Family

by Klara J. B. Jakobsen
Namrole, Buru, Indonesia

A family of four

Hidup Mandiri is the name of an Indonesian trading vessel owned by a family of four. Hidup Mandiri means Independently Life, and so it looked when we went onboard the other day.
The family of four, old mom and dad and their son, and a member we never met, have lived on, and sailed Hidup Mandiri for the last 10 years.
Every year they sail from Sulawesi to West Papua and back, trading all sorts like mattresses, clothes, and live chicken, on their way.

When we met them in Namrole, Buru in November, the boat was nearly empty but a few cages of chicken on the foredeck.
They were on their way home, expecting to be back in Bau Bau, Sulawesi by December.
The family did not speak English at all, so although we had a million questions, only some were asked, and even fewer answers understood.
But here is a look at what we learned about Hidup Mandiri.

Hidup Mandiri

Hidup Mandiri was build in Sulawesi from local Kayu Jati (Teak). She is over 30 years old.
A large wooden cage is build on deck, so that it can be loaded with cargo.
Below Decks is a long cabin with very low headroom, where more cargo can be stored dry, and the crew sleeps.
An Extension at the stern of the boat accommodates the kitchen. Their diet, is typical Indonesian, and consists primarily of rice, vegetables, fish, tofu and tempeh.

Under Sail

Hidup Mandiri has a short mast with an incredibly long bamboo boom and a wooden Gaff.
Like most Indonesian Sailing boats her sail is made of a blue checked plastic tarp.
The sail works as an aide for the motor, of which they have four, to add both speed and stability.

Captain shows us the enormous windless, which pulls of the anchors.
Hidup Mandiri has five anchors which they set fore and aft to keep the boat in place.

We were extremely impressed with Hidup Mandiri. First of all she is made of teak, which might be common in Indonesia but is rare and very expensive elsewhere. And for a 30 year old boat, she looked in really good condition. It was obvious that her owners took pride in her and looked after her well.

We invited the crew to come for coffee on Black Duck the next day. But when we looked out the next morning, we saw Hidup Mandiri in the distance sailing away towards home.

Thank you Crew of Hitup Mindiri!