News: Sarawak: Taking a Global Position
To many westerners the names Borneo and Sarawak conjure up images of jungle rivers and dugout canoes. While the jungle rivers remain, the dug out canoes have largely been replaced by modern steel ferries and tugs. The Malaysian province of Sarawak has gained considerable affluence over the past half century from its strong forest industry, but as is the case throughout much of the world, this is now in decline. But the forest industry created a maritime legacy in the many small shipyards that developed to build work boats for moving the logs and lumber to market. The skills and resources built up during the boom times in the forest industry have funded a number of newer shipyards and provided updated equipment to established yards.
Diversification Provides Insurance for Steiner
With origins as a family-owned repair yard tracing back to the 1920s, Steiner Shipyard has evolved into a present-day incorporated shipyard, with diversified interests. To be sure, fishing vessels - the company's bread and butter - still remain a priority for the Bayou la Batre, Ala.-based builder, but the company has found success in its diversification into workboats and passenger vessels, as well. In 1927, William Steiner (grandfather of present owner Russell Steiner), and his sons Joseph and Clarence (Russell's father) built six bay shrimpers. At the time, says Russell, they were considered big boats, measuring 46 ft. in length. The Steiner family owned and operated the vessels while continuing to run the repair yard. Two of the vessels, Sea Gull and Eagle, are still in use today.
