NOON AT THE SHIPYARD

​The other day, my father came home a bit late at around nine in the evening. The reason is because they are stuck in the shipyard because they are waiting for the ship's iron components produced at the factory to be installed on the ordered ship. He was very tired, it could be seen from the way he spoke to his mother because in fact he could arrive home at sunset. The story then makes me curious about the atmosphere of the shipyard. Is it really complicated and cramped as told. Some time later, I finally stopped by the shipyard in Tegal.

 

It was true what he said, it was very hot there even though the weather was cloudy. Piles of jerry cans and drums containing hundreds of liters of resin are placed on the side of the ship. Distinctive smell of iron rust, salted fish and oil mixed. The color of the water around the shipyard even turned black because it was mixed with oil and residents' garbage. My eyes focused on the activities of the shipyard workers. Some workers painted the bow and skin of the ship. There are also those who are relaxing with cigarettes in hand.

 

The ship's service turned out to be complicated. There are at least nine parts from the stern to the bridge that must be considered, especially if there is engine damage. Every two to three months, ships that go to sea will return to the mainland for a thorough inspection. I immediately imagined the busy state of the Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia, which is one of the largest shipyards in the world.

 

Although life in the shipyard tends to be hard, the results obtained seem to be able to support them, even to say that they are quite good. I even met one of the workers who was 17 years old. The reason for working is clearly about money. He said casually, his total salary for a month was equivalent to a fresh graduate working in Jakarta. I who heard it immediately fell silent and contemplated.