You may have never heard of a cork sheet boat. Alongside the more familiar boats, sampans, and trawlers, the cork sheet boat is uniquely located in Cox’s Bazar. From Kalatali to Teknaf, these distinctive boats can often be seen alongside other fishing vessels.
According to local fishermen, these boats are made from discarded plastic cork sheets, reinforced with bamboo and wood, though cork sheets make up the bulk of the material. Fisherman Syed Hossain shared with Cox’s Bazar Life that constructing a cork sheet boat typically costs Tk20,000-Tk25,000, with an additional Tk5,000 required if extra strength is needed.
Due to their small size, cork sheet boats can accommodate only two people and are primarily used for nearshore fishing. Fishermen usually fish for several hours before returning to the coast, then set out again for another fishing round.
Photo: Abdur Rashid Manik
