The name of “our” pinisi – Ombak Putih – translates into English as “white wave”.
13 October 2024 was our final full day in Raja Ampat.
Before that morning’s snorkelling at Yenbuba (aka “Yanbuba”) – which is surely among the world’s finest snorkelling sites – our hosts hoisted Ombak Putih’s sails, so we could see and photograph the vessel in its full glory.
(Ombak Putih had in fact motored along throughout our time aboard)
Ombak Putih was custom-built to carry passengers, in comfort.
However, she is still a “proper” pinisi.
Her wooden keel was constructed in Kalimantan in 1995, and she has been operational since 1997.
A pinisi typically has seven sails; it is definitely an Indonesian species of “schooner”, but it came into existence much later than many people imagine – probably, late in the 19th century.
Its rigging was certainly influenced by pre-existing, European vessels.
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The pinisi is in no imminent danger of extinction, nor of relegation only to museums and tourism; in 2024 more than a few pinisi-type, cargo-carrying vessels ply Indonesian waters.
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