KKN ITS Team with fishermen in Cumpat Village, Kedung Cowek, Surabaya

Campus ITS, ITS News – The lack of knowledge about ship engines is one of the complaints of most fishermen in Indonesia, including those in Cumpat Village, Kedung Cowek, and Surabaya when facing obstacles at sea. Departing from this problem, the Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember (ITS) Real Work Lecture (KKN) team held training on boat engine maintenance and repair to broaden fishermen’s horizons.

The Head of the KKN Team, Farhan Azmi, said that so far when there are engine troubles at sea, fishermen tend to wait for the help of other fishermen to tow their boats. “This makes fishermen’s work dependent. Most fishermen also still rely on workshops to repair machines,” said Farhan.

The KKN team, which consisted of 30 students from the ITS Mechanical Engineering Department, also held training in collaboration with the Mechanical Student Workshop Institute (LBMM). Through this training, the material was presented regarding gasoline and diesel engines which are usually used by fishermen.

Submission of material related to shipping engine maintenance and repair by representatives of the ITS Machine Student Workshop Institute (LBMM) to fishermen in Cumpat Village, Surabaya

According to LBMM student representatives Abshar Naufal and Herbert Hasudungan, fishermen need to pay attention to several essential components, such as oil and filters, to ensure the engine is well maintained. As for ship repairs, it is necessary to check the air system, the fuel used so far, to the age of the engine.

In addition to the training series, the KKN project also includes the construction of a gas-fired fish drying machine to facilitate the livelihoods of the local community. Farhan said salted fish is one of the most abundant marine products in Cumpat Village, but most people only rely on sunlight for the drying process.

A fish drying machine (front view) given by the ITS Community Service Team to the fishermen of Cumpat Village, Surabaya, to facilitate the livelihoods of the local community

He revealed that previously the community had received the help of a dryer, but the results could have been better than if they had used solar heat. “We also innovated a drying machine that can dry quickly and with quality as if it were exposed to direct sunlight,” said the 2020 batch student.

The KKN, which has been prepared since July 2022, was enthusiastically welcomed by the fishermen of Cumpat Village. The head of the local fisherman, Muhammad Ihsan said that with the provision of a fish drying machine and training related to this machine, fishermen could make repairs independently, “At least for the vulnerable outer parts such as ship spark plugs and carburetors,” he added.

The man, who is familiarly called Ihsan, also hopes that there will be more programs to improve the quality of fishermen that students can provide. “So that with the training provided, fishermen can further develop,” he concluded hopefully. (ITS PR)