香港故事丨阅尽千帆 “船”承匠心

Company Overview - The "Zhang Bao Zai" boat was created in 2006 by the Guangming Shipyard, which was facing operational difficulties due to a decrease in orders [2] - The boat is a traditional Chinese wooden sailboat, handcrafted by the third-generation shipbuilder Qu Shijie and his father Qu Wei [1][2] - The shipyard was founded in the 1950s and has been passed down through three generations, with Qu Shijie learning shipbuilding from a young age [3] Industry Context - Hong Kong has a rich maritime history, having become an important trade transshipment port after its opening, which contributed to the flourishing of the shipbuilding industry [2] - The shipyard once produced 50-60% of the operating boats in Hong Kong, catering to tourists and residents [3] - The demand for traditional wooden boats has declined due to the rise of lighter, modern vessels and the high cost of raw materials [3] Craftsmanship and Challenges - The construction of the "Zhang Bao Zai" involved complex design and craftsmanship, taking approximately nine months to complete [2] - Qu Shijie emphasized the importance of precision in shipbuilding, noting that even a 0.5 cm error could lead to significant issues [2] - The shipyard has shifted its focus from building new vessels to repairing and maintaining existing ones due to declining market demand [3] Future Aspirations - Qu Shijie hopes to inspire younger generations to take an interest in traditional shipbuilding techniques and preserve this cultural heritage [4] - He maintains a collection of ship models, including one of the "Zhang Bao Zai," reflecting his passion for traditional Chinese sailboats [4]