Shipboard Life on board the Sama Biasa

In August 1980 Sama Biasa, with a crew of seven men, was intercepted by a coastal surveillance aircraft while illegally fishing near Gregory Island in the Buccaneer Archipelago.  On board was a catch of approximately 250 kilograms of trochus shell. Among the vessel’s stores was 40 kilograms of rice, 360 litres of water, 10 kilograms of dried fish, clam meat and squid. The vessel’s gear included a shark rattle, fishing gear, a dugout canoe and paddles, firewood, spear-gun, fishing spears, bicycle inner tubes, boat fittings, pelepa (antifouling), rope, anchors, sails, bags and sacks, nails and fastenings, wire cables, fids, adze, saw, and a lamp. Also on board was the more personal gear belonging to the crew including parrangs, thongs and sandals, grass mats, woven baskets, a stool, pots and pans, coconut shells, tins, mugs and plates. Fisherman at the time had to pack a lot for the journey to and from Australia as it was potentially a three week voyage to the coast, but this seems to be an incredible amount of gear to pack into one small vessel. 

A woven basket from the Sama Biasa.
Credit: WA Museum Collections