5 Extra Days at Sea, with a broken Steering

It was 0600 hrs. The boat spun round in circles, no longer heading East towards Sarawak. The steering had broken down and the boat completely off its heading. Capt Wandi was wide awake. He has to act fast before the young crew went into panic.

The North East Monsoon started earlier this year. Capt Wandi and his crew of 2 were tasked to deliver a 39 foot Offshore Sports Express Cruiser fitted with triple 350HP Outboards from Singapore to Kuching, Sarawak. The 460 nautical mile journey would be simple enough so long as the boat held and the wind and waves cooperated. Unfortunately this was not to be so. The boat was battered by prevailing  15-20 knot winds and 2m waves. Alas the steering hydraulics leaked and failed the very next morning they left Nongsa Point Marina to cross the South China Sea eastwards towards Kuching Sarawak. Now the boat was going nowhere.

They had not anticipated a hydraulic leak. There was no spare fluid onboard and even if there was, it would all leak out in no time. Repairs would not hold. A hundred thoughts raced through Capt Wandi's mind, as he scrambled to get the boat back under control in the now very heavy seas.

Capt Wandi, founder of One-D Marine.  Certainty a very experienced and skilled Captain 

The Crew and new Owner before the delivery passage

 Eventually after several attempts at gaining some type of heading, Capt Wandi managed to steer the craft using the bow-thruster to direct the boat in the direction he wanted. Cruising at barely 3 knots in a 2 meter sea, he would make land in 48 hours if the bow thruster held. That would be a long shot. As they chugged along, they saw a glimpse of a local fishing vessel some 3 nautical miles away on the horizon and immediately headed towards it. As luck would have it, the vessel was at anchor and they eventually reached within flag signalling distance and attracted the fishermen's attention.

From then on, there was a furry of communications and negotiations for towing assistance back and forth with the fishing boat's owner at the mainland in Kalimantan. They finally agreed to tow the stricken craft for Rp 20 million (about S$2,100) enough to cover fuel and time lost. Capt Wandi got the go ahead from the Craft's agent via satellite phone and begun preparing for the long tow to Tambelan Island, 69 nautical miles away, where the plan was to pass the tow to another waiting vessel there. The mainland Pontianak was 143nm away and Kuching, Sarawak 183nm away. With the Offshore Express connected to the Indonesian fishing vessel with a very long tow line using the anchor rope, Capt Wandi and his crew started the long arduous journey to Tambelan Island. The wind was blowing 20 knots, the seas were rolling with 1-2m waves and as luck would have it, the towing vessel's engine belt broke 2 hrs into the tow. With the lost of steerage-way both vessels turned abeam of the wind and waves and started being tossed uncontrollably like toy boat in a vast sea.
Here are some pictures to help you connect visually....

Lucky to have seen the fishing vessel at anchor and finally coming alongside the next morning when the sea had calmed down for an hour

Being towed at last, making way at 4 knots average

The Indonesian crew sharing their food with Wandi & crew

 After 5 long days at sea, Capt Wandi and his crew arrived safety at their destination, the newly established Telaga Air Marina in Kuching, Sarawak. (N 01 40.594 E 110 12 593 E.
On 27th Nov at 2230hrs, they boarded a flight back to Singapore.

Things could have gone a lot worst; they could have gone adrift for weeks or even months as some boats in the past have experienced on the South China Sea. They were lucky the engines were running fine, the bow thruster worked and they carried a satellite phone to communicate their situation and get approvals for payment. Indonesian fishermen have a deep respect for the sea and their fellow mariners. They would not abandon you and will go out of their way to help. Compensating them for fuel and fishing time lost is necessary. These are not rich folks, but ordinary people who rely on the sea to support their family and simple lives. We're should be grateful we have them as our neighbours. As for the sea, love it, enjoy it and always respect the vastness and solitude of this last frontier.       
  

Latest Fishing Trend in Singapore called Ajing

Fishing in Singapore waters has certainly changed quite a bit. Gone are the days where you just bait your hook with cut prawn or squid, drop the line and wait for the fish to bite. Then, all you need was a good spot and the right tide. Nowadays the pool of anglers who use artificial lures has grown so rapidly thanks largely to the higher bite rate and variety of catches in Singapore waters as a result of this new trend.
Take a look at Ajing. Its more than just using artificial lures. The rig has to be very light for this style of fishing. Enjoy the videos.

   

The results are amazing especially for Singapore waters.

In my Opinion the Best Catamaran has got to be the WorldCat Series

Take a look at the performances of the Catamaran over the mono hull. Nothing comes close if you are looking for the softest ride ever. I have been operating a Cat the last 10 years and now I won't go back to mono hulls unless they are over 55 feet. 

 

The Arrow Cat Express 300

A superb 30 foot Power Catamaran fitted with Outboards. The perfect boat for the busy executive. No maintenance headaches. Just store her in the safety of the boat house and just launch her anytime you go to sea. All round protection from sun, sea and wind. Outboards are the way to go these days, unless you plan on a very long voyage. 

Protecting our Freedom and Individual Rights

I want to go to sea and sail the oceans. To experience true freedom unshackled from the throngs of society and prohibitions. To sail responsibly because I want to and not because I'm compelled to do so. To be a respecter of nature, immersed and not just an observer oblivious of the magical moments that unravel before me. This TED talk is a mind opener.

Dr Sylvia Earle 

Dr Sylvia Earle - Sustainable Seas, The Vision, The Reality

   

An Interesting Video depicting Singapore and Johor in the early 20th Century

Watch and enjoy the era now past....

Fishing gets better in Singapore with new age anglers

The old style of fishing with live or dead baits do not catch pelagic fish such as Trevally and Scad as easily as artificial lures. You get better results with ready made jigs like Sabiki and Sure-Catch or micro jigs which comes in countless designs and colors. The other variable is the fishing spot and timing. Do you fish on a rising or falling tide with a strong or weak current. It seems the more academic you are the less likely you will catch fish. The experts observe much and speak little.

   

The Grady Tiger Cat 18 years old and still going strong

Eleven years ago, a friend of mine bought a used Grady Catamaran, modeled as the Tiger Cat. It was Grady White's entry into multi-hulls. It was also to be the last time they built a Cat. Shortly after the introduction of the Tiger Cat, Grady decided to halt production of Catamarans and stick to mono hulls. A decision that remains till this day. I often wondered why. After having used the Tiger Cat, the last 11 years, I am convinced beyond any doubt that this 26 foot Grady with twin 150HP  Outboards, handles the chops far better than the Grady mono hulls; especially in head seas. So I am surprised they didn't expand the Cat range instead.  Anyway, I'm sold on the Grady Cat. Its one hull of a boat.

The Tiger Cat at RSYC where she is based 

The Boat Owner and his excited kids

A much healthier lifestyle away from computers and TV

The need to go out to sea

Man shall not live by bread alone. Neither should we live life just to work. I have been extremely occupied with work the past 8 months. That being out of necessity to put bread on the table but makes for an unhealthy unbalanced life. Responsibility is the motivation behind my preoccupation not so much a higher desire to move up the ladder of fame and fortune.

In any case, I felt I was missing out on a balanced life and decided to push myself to go out to sea again; even for a few hours of fishing or just plain cruising around. The unplanned trip was absolutely refreshing. Ahh!! how I miss being at sea on a boat away from the madding crowd.

Drift fishing off Pempang North Cardinal Mark

Low maintenance, high performance fishing machine, the Grady White

David with a Queen Fish caught on No 16 Jig Hooks 

  

Remembering the Vietnamese Refugees

It was on a cool raining morning on Boxing day 39 years ago, when I joined the Navy. At 18 years I felt I was already all grown up. I didn't know what grown up meant. Shortly after Midshipman training when I graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant, I was thrust into the harsh reality of the struggles of the Vietnamese Refugees. My first hand encounters with these people in rickety over-crowded wooden boats opened my eyes to the harsh reality of the world we live in. A world where governments don't protect its citizens; where you are responsible for your own survival. Where blaming someone else is a luxury albeit a pointless one. You either make the best of your circumstances, or die trying. I had never been to Vietnam and have not met Vietnamese people before. They were a "distant" country and people. I had no feelings for them. However, things changed immediately during my first face to face encounter with them. I felt sorrow, pain and anguish for these boat people; for their sufferings, their pain and their sense of hopelessness, every time we turned them away for reaching the shore. These pictures bring back memories of the time when innocence was lost forever.

          

Best Entry Level Boats for new Singapore Boaters

If you're new to boating and have just gotten your PPCDL, its best to start with a used boat. Something in the range of 24-30 foot powered by  Four-Stroke Outboards. These types of boats are easier to drive, demand less maintenance and are more forgiving when handled "wrongly" Its certainty not a good idea to move straight to a Cabin Cruiser unless you intend to hire a full time Captain and Crew to maintain and drive the boat. Handling the boat yourself is certainly not an option at this early stage of your boating adventure. I would recommend the 3 boats shown below. They happen to be marketed by SG Boating. 

Fishing Memories - old photos that make me happy

I didn't take many pictures in the past. In fact I took very few. Of the few that I still kept; those that had survived the many times I moved house; I will always cherish. Looking at them brings me a sense of joy and fulfillment that neither work nor planned holidays can compare. I look forward to more of these times and adventures. I'm glad there's much time yet to enjoy these moments.

     

Navy Seal Commander gives good sound advice to fresh graduates

This video is a must view. Wise advice from a top notch  Navy Seal Commander.

The Last Island Kampung in Singapore at Pulau Sakeng

I am fortunate to have had the privilege of visiting Pulau Sakeng and Pulau Semakau before it was turned into a land fill. Sakeng had a population of 500 plus 1 vilage policeman.The houses stood on stilts and lined the entire southern coastline. The largest and most prominent house had a TV Antenna on the roof and belonged to the Village head, the Penghulu Kampung. I only have fond memories of Pulau Sakeng. I would set off from the SAF Yacht Club in Sembawang Camp in my little 20 foot Dynaglass open boat fitted with a 40HP Yamaha and cruise at 18 knots to Sakeng to fish. That was in 1990. The Islanders were ever so friendly and relaxed. Our first stop was always the provision shop to buy cold drinks and food after an hour long trip. What a memory.... Those were carefree days.  I do miss them.         

Pulau Sakeng 

The local fishermen depended on the sea for a living

A typical house on stilts at Semakau