A sailor tries carrying two buckets of water on his shoulder. [Photo/Tide News]

Three international sailors recently explored the story of water conservation and development on the Shengsi Islands, learning how the archipelago overcame decades of water shortages through innovation and resilience.

Two Sri Lankan sailors and one Ukrainian sailor from the Sunrise vessel visited the Shengsi Water Culture Science Museum, hosted by local authorities and maritime inspection officials.

Surrounded by old tools, restored scenes and digital displays, the sailors learned how island residents once collected rainwater from rooftops and carried water by shoulder poles. They even tried carrying traditional water buckets themselves, experiencing the challenges of life before modern water systems.

At the end of the visit, they tasted desalinated seawater, a symbol of the Shengsi Islands' transformation from water scarcity to water security. Ukrainian sailor Volodymyr said the desalination system "greatly improved people's quality of life."

Through the water-themed cultural tour, the sailors gained a deeper understanding of how the Shengsi Islands overcame hardship through innovation and resilience.