Basnig

Basnig or balasnig are lift nets (salambaw) operated by a large outrigger boat called Basnigan.

This net is attached to multiple temporary booms projecting from the ship's outriggers and detachable auxiliary masts.

[1] Basnigan are usually made up of wood with a small ["fuente/pwente"] cabin wherein the crew sleeps and also where the ship's wheel ["timon"] is located.

Most signal/communications from piloto to makinista and crews are through ringing a bell because of the noise emitted by the machine/engine which is always on because it serves as an engine to run the boat and a generator during the night.

The captain (piloto) of the ship observes the water, fish movements under the boat and estimates how deep the net should go then asks the crew to get ready.

After a few minutes the crew will then start the segregation of the fish according to type and will be stored in a Styrofoam box with crushed ice.

A basnigan with the nets fully deployed
Basnigan fishing boat in Coron, Palawan . Note the pulleys on the outriggers .
A basnigan near Basilan with nets deployed
A beached basnigan boat (background) with the characteristic poles and large outriggers used for anchoring lift nets and holding gas-powered or electric lights ( El Nido, Palawan )
A basnigan in Basilan with children playing on the outriggers