In a coastal neighborhood near Karachi, Pakistan, traditional boat-building practices continue to thrive amidst the backdrop of modern industrial shipyards. Ibrahim Hyderi, a maritime town on the city’s outskirts, maintains its centuries-old reputation as a center for crafting wooden fishing vessels that sustain the local fishing industry.

Workers in this community painstakingly construct boats by hand, using timber carefully selected for durability against harsh marine conditions. Local carpenters such as Muhammad Asif, 22, who learned the trade from his father, start their day at 7 a.m. and often work until 7 p.m., pausing only for a brief lunch break. Earning up to 2,500 Pakistani rupees ($9) a day and working six days a week, these craftsmen endure high temperatures and heavy monsoon rains as part of their routine.

The boat-building process begins when a fisherman chooses a design that fits his needs. A master craftsman creates a template, which the carpenters then use to cut large blocks of wood—often eucalyptus or African teak—into precise shapes. The hulls are assembled meticulously from the ground up, requiring up to three months to complete a single small vessel. The finished boats can cost around one million Pakistani rupees ($3,600), reflecting the labor-intensive nature of the craft.

Once the wooden structure is complete, painters such as Muhammad Ismail, who has spent over a decade embellishing vessels, add colorful designs. Ismail notes that most fishermen favor floral patterns over depictions of fish and that some clients request personalized artwork, while others provide their own specifications. These decorative touches enhance the boats’ individuality and cultural significance.

Nearby, fishermen like Qadir Bux, who has maintained a family-owned boat for more than 20 years, view their wooden vessels with deep care and pride. For him, preserving the boat is akin to nurturing a precious family member. The continued dedication to traditional boat-building in Ibrahim Hyderi serves not only as a livelihood for many but also as a vital link to Karachi’s maritime heritage and the origins of its fishing sector.