As world leaders and policymakers gather in Nice, France for the United Nations Ocean Conference, aiming to protect and sustainably use our oceans and marine resources, aboard the Jakare we wish to give voice to those who live with the sea every single day. https://unworldoceansday.org/
A Global Declaration, A Daily Reality at Sea
“The ocean is fundamental to life on our planet and to our future. The ocean is an important source of the planet’s biodiversity and plays a vital role in the climate system and water cycle. The ocean provides a range of ecosystem services, supplies us with oxygen to breathe, contributes to food security, nutrition and decent jobs and livelihoods, acts as a sink and reservoir of greenhouse gases and protects biodiversity, provides a means for maritime transportation, including for global trade, forms an important part of our natural and cultural heritage and plays an essential role in sustainable development, a sustainable ocean-based economy and poverty eradication.” — Political Declaration of the 2022 United Nations Ocean Conference
This solemn declaration could remain a mere policy statement. But aboard the Jakare, it comes to life through the everyday actions of the Indonesian crew.
For them, the ocean is not an ecological or economic abstraction: it is the source of food, work, culture, dreams, and legacy. They embody this vital bond with the sea. They live by its rhythms, respect its power, and navigate with care, humility, and pride.
“Laut adalah misteri tanpa batas, tempat ombak membawa cerita dan cakrawala menyimpan harapan.”
“The sea is a mystery without end. The waves carry stories and the horizon holds hope.” — Kep Abu Thalib
Through their presence, the generational knowledge they carry, and the way they welcome the world aboard their boat, they actively contribute to the shared vision: Our Ocean, Our Future, Our Responsibility.
Jakare’s crew is made up of sailors from across the Indonesian archipelago: from Sulawesi, Flores, Java, and Papua. They are guardians of ancient wisdom and a living, direct connection to the ocean. Every day, they navigate, prepare dives, ensure safety, share meals and laughter with our guests — and carry with them an intimate memory of the sea.
A Life Born from Water
Kep Abu Thalib, our captain, comes from Sorong, in West Papua. His journey speaks to the quiet strength of these men of the sea.
“Saya dari keluarga yang dari kecil tinggal di pulau kecil dekat pantai. Di sana dominan nelayan, tapi saya ingin lebih dari itu. Saya keluar untuk ambil sertifikat dan coba kapal-kapal besar.”
“I come from a family that has always lived on a small island, near the shore. Everyone there is a fisherman. But I wanted more. I left the island to get certified and work on bigger ships.”
At 15, he set out alone, with no contacts in the city — only his determination as a guide.
Jakare: More Than Just a Boat
“Tentu Jakare keluarga kedua saya. Di sana saya tinggal, makan, dan beraktivitas. Saya lebih sering bersama kru daripada di rumah.”
“Jakare is my second family. I live there, eat there, spend my days there. I’m with my crew more often than I am at home.”
On board the Jakare, operations are structured around a strict hierarchy: every crew member knows their mission, their responsibilities, and their role in the safety chain. This is essential for navigating efficiently and safely through the often demanding waters of Indonesia.
But that structure never replaces humanity. A true family spirit thrives onboard. Everyone looks out for each other. There is respect, solidarity, and a warmth that goes beyond rank. It is this rare blend of professional discipline and brotherly bonds that makes Jakare such a special boat.
The Sea as a Living Mystery
“Laut adalah misteri tanpa batas, tempat ombak membawa cerita dan cakrawala menyimpan harapan.”
“The sea is a mystery without limits, a place where waves carry stories and the horizon holds hope.”
This poetic and spiritual relationship with the sea is a constant among Indonesian sailors. It goes beyond function. The sea is a living being, sometimes a source of fear:
“Semua orang pasti pernah takut, apalagi ketika ombak besar datang. Tapi ada keluarga yang selalu menunggu kabar baik.”
“Everyone has been afraid at sea, especially when big waves hit. But we always think of the family waiting to hear good news from us.”
A Vocation of the Heart
Kep humbly claims he has no special talent — other than football and volleyball. Yet his ritual before every journey speaks of deep professionalism and wisdom:
“Sebelum trip saya selalu pastikan semua siap – dokumen, perlengkapan – dan saya selalu berdoa untuk keselamatan semua.”
“Before each trip, I always check that everything is ready — documents, equipment — and I pray for everyone’s safety.”
He enjoys observing cultural differences, learning English words, seeing how guests spend time as families, or laughing at the quirky behaviors of some passengers:
“Setiap trip pasti ada satu tamu yang lucu dengan tingkah lakunya!”
“Every cruise, there’s always one guest who makes me laugh with their behavior!”
And his favorite dish on board?
“Ikan bakar.” — Grilled fish. Simple, delicious, and deeply tied to the sea.
Passing Down the Legacy
Today, his eldest daughter is also a sailor. The circle is complete. The legacy continues. He dreams of being a good father, supporting his children’s education. Because this too is what it means to be a sailor: building the future for those left ashore, by facing the waves, the winds, and the tides.
“Mimpi saya adalah menjadi kepala keluarga yang baik, menyekolahkan anak-anak sampai sukses. Itu mimpi semua ayah yang kerja di laut.”
“My dream is to be a good father, to help my children succeed in school. It’s the dream of every father who works at sea.”
Our Ocean, Our Future, Our Responsibility
The United Nations reminds us that the ocean is essential to life on Earth — regulating the climate, providing livelihoods, feeding billions, and forming the foundation of our natural and cultural heritage.
But beyond the numbers, it is the human stories, the daily gestures, the eyes fixed on the horizon that truly embody our connection to the sea.
Aboard the Jakare, we sail with them. We listen to their stories. And each day, we are reminded how alive — and precious — the ocean truly is.
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