ROLE OF AQUATEC FLOATING DOCK IN IMPROVING TOURISM IN LIWUNGAN ISLAND, BANTEN
Beach and island tourism in Indonesia is an ever-interesting discussion topic since Indonesia is a maritime country, and two-third of it is made of water. As an archipelago, Indonesia has more than 17,000 islands, lining up so beautifully from Sabang to Merauke.
There are still many islands in Indonesia with natural beauties unknown and untouched by the hands of tourists. One of which is a marine tourism destination located in Banten Province, more specifically in Desa Citeureup, Kecamatan Panimbang, Kabupaten Pandeglang; that is Liwungan Island, located at the center of the bay. This island is suitable for marine tourism object with its natural beauty and dazzling beaches, which can attract tourists to simply visit or have a vacation in there.
Liwungan Island is one of the tourist destination in Lesung Bay, Banten. Lesung Bay, which has enough marine potentials to be designated as priority destination, was recently appointed as one of the 10 New Bali, as launched by President Joko Widodo. The government is confident to attract at least one million foreign tourists in 2019. Liwungan Island has sand beaches which can be used to play with sand, snorkeling, banana boat, slider boat, or other fun games. The name Liwungan Island itself originated from the word “kaliwungan”, which in Sundanese means surrounded by mountain. Imagine the panoramic beauty of the indigenous and well-preserved Liwungan Island. This island is originally uninhabited and has no lodgings, with an area of approximately 50 hectares, untouched by the hands of tourists. It is made into an object of tourism and snorkeling. The water in its beaches is clean and clear, and it only takes 20 minutes to get there from land using fishermen’s boats, which are already designed to carry tourists.
Previously, Liwungan Island had no tools nor facilities suitable for tourism, with only basic docks made of woods which were unfriendly to the environment, vulnerable to the waves, not durable, and not flexible during tidal flux and reflux hence making it difficult to do activities such as loading and unloading visitors and items from boats, or even for the boats to dock. Due to this poor condition, the number of tourists visiting this island is still very low indeed.
Liwungan Island is a tourism potential that needs to be seriously developed and well maintained. The tools and facilities in this island needs improvements in order to increase the number of visitors, which will in turn bring positive impact for the economy of the people surrounding the island and the local government income in tourism sector.
Liwungan Island can turn into a destination of world tourism when managed well and seriously. Therefore, the government has decided to work together with PT Gani Arta Dwitunggal (Aquatec) as the only local manufacturer of marine and fishery tools and facilities located in Padalarang, West Bandung.
In order to develop tourism in Kabupaten Pandeglang, especially marine tourism in Lesung Bay, marine tourism tools are built in Kabupaten Pandeglang, Banten. The cooperation between Aquatec and the government results in the contruction of floating jetty (dock) in Liwungan Island. The Aquatec floating jetty installed at Liwungan Island is used for the visiting tourist boats to dock. In addition, many tourists sit along the floating jetty to enjoy the sunset.
As stated by Bun as the Head of Cultivation of the Marine and Fishery Department in Kabupaten Pandeglang, “This floating jetty is a program to boost tourism in areas which supports the special economy zone (KEK).” Bun also stated that the floating jetty in Liwungan Island is something extraordinary. The technology used is a new and modern technology. Unlike other floating jetties, Aquatec floating jetty device is cylindrical with flage connection, making it able to withstand the waves and last long. Furthermore, Aquatec floating jetty is strengthened with Marine Aluminum frame and Ecowood boards with 38 mm thickness to conduct activities during tidal wave. Aquatec floating jetty can be maximally utilized to build Liwungan Island. With high quality marine and fishery products, Lesung Bay will be ready as a priority destination in Indonesia.
Aquatec floating jetty installed in Liwungan Island is a modern floating dock, wave resistant, durable, and also environmentally friendly because it is made of Prime Grade High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) with anti-UV. Unlike other cube shaped floating jetties, Aquatec floating jetty consists of elongated HDPE cylindrical floating device. The strength of each of those HDPE cylindrical floating device has been tested and proven to be able to withstand a 20-tons stretch. The top part is strengthen with aluminum marine frame and Ecowood board (Wood Polyethylene Compound – WPC) with a 38 mm thickness, that is seawater resistant, termite resistant, and with anti slip pattern. This construction results in a far stronger floating jetty compared to the cubicle floating jetties, that is able to withstand the waves, remain flexible, and last for more than 30 years of usage. Aquatec floating jetty can be disassembled (complete knockdown) and quickly reassembled within a matter of days.
Aquatec floating jetty can be equipped with various components such as fences, grade 304 stainless steel bollard or aluminum marine, synthetic rubber bumper dock, and solar system LED marker light.
The Aquatec floating jetty is designed for ultimate safety, with a long lifetime due to its anti corrosion material, environmentally friendly due to its Prime Grade High Density Polyethylene (HDPE) anti-UV material which is recyclable. This Aquatec product is purely locally made, an innovative creation of the sons of this nation, fully beneficial and multifunctional, able to support various fields such as floating jetties, floating bridges, and to support engineering works.
Aquatec floating jetty is a product fully designed by the children of this nation, and the entire manufacturing process takes place in a factory located in Padalarang, West Bandung. Aquatec products have domestic content level certification (TKDN), as issued by the Ministry of Industry of the Republic of Indonesia, with domestic content level above 40%.
Previously, it is difficult for tourists to visit Liwungan Island due to the uneasy access, yet now, tourists can come and go with ease. The existence of Aquatec floating jetty can be used for boats, both large and small, to dock. Aquatec floating jetty can be used to dock boats anytime, during tidal flux or reflux. This is because Aquatec floating jetty has two ring shaped frames, with ends hooked to the supporting pillars, making it possible to follow the flux and reflux of the sea.
The existence of Aquatec floating jetty in Liwungan Island, Kabupaten Pandeglang, banten, has not only facilitate access to that island, but also brought positive impact to tourism sector. The number of tourists visiting Liwungan Island has drastically increased since Aquatec floating jetty was build.
The government is doing continuous effort to improve tourism sector in order to introduce the undiscovered natural beauties of Indonesia to attract tourists to visit tourism objects all across Indonesia. The steps taken by the government are expected to increase both domestic and international tourist visitation, so that Indonesia can become the most visited country by tourists.
It is no doubt that the material used by Aquatec floating jetty designed by our very own uses high technology and has a trustworthy quality, made with correct and accurate calculations to remain safe when the waves hit. Aquatec floating jetty will remain straight, flexible, and snug when visitors are standing on it, even when they gather in one spot. Aquatec floating jetty is ready to support government agencies in their marine and fishery programs by providing the marine and fishery tools and facilities all across Indonesia, just like how it has benefited the tourism in Liwungan Island, Kabupaten Pandeglang, Banten Province.
