Sail MailGrib files. Can get swell info as well if you open in maxsea.
Met Area Forecasts-met area X1: Bunguran covers approx Singapore to Bintulu; Reef South covers approx Bintulu to Kudat. Met 11 sg also covers Singapore to Sarawak.
Any Malaysian forecasts tend to over forecast as fishermen access this weather.
Internet
http://www.buoyweather.com/ - free weather information as well as subscription.
Can also access buoyweather info via sailmail. Costs $30 for 100 emails. Good weather for spot forecasts for wind/swell on passage.
http://www.fnmoc.navy.mil/ – navigate to wxmap. Excellent 7 day forecast for wind/swell
http://www.bom.bov.au/ – navigate to Asia and MSL Gradient Wind Analysis and also Indian Ocean. Good for big picture stuff ie location of lows, especially when heading off towards Sri Lanka. (Australian Bureau of Meteorology).
http://www.myforecast.com/ – can find any city. Gives good rain prediction and has user friendly terminology like ‘tons of rain’!
http://www.weatheronline.co.uk/ – good for anywhere and gives 7 day forecast.
http://www.weather.gov.sg/ Navigate to Marine weather. Excellent for this region. Gives synoptic situation, satellite picture as well as wind and waves and radar for Singapore/Johore Baru. In our experience, this site tends to be more accurate than Malaysia forecasts as the latter tend to over forecast swell/wave heights and wind strength.
NB http://www.typhoon2000.com/ is an excellent website for information regarding the NE monsoon, especially the strength of the Mongolian High. Click on the JMA site (Japanese Meteorological Agency)See also notes here on Philippine weather information.
http://www.grib.us/ is another excellent site that shows wind, waves and rain. Files downloaded from the internet can be used with MaxSea.
http://www.goes.noaa.gov/ This is a website which shows Geostationary images.
http://www.stormbanner.com EXCELLENT WORLD SITE. This has it all - wind, rain, sea temperature etc and satelite immagery.
26 Şubat 2007 Pazartesi
22 Şubat 2007 Perşembe
Cruising West Borneo Coast. February 2007
These notes are intended to supplement information from Deusa, Bachchat and Nepenthe.
A February crossing, when the NE winds lightened and swell died down to 1m gave us a good sailing passage with clear skies. Winds actually tended to be Northerly, except for around Tg Datu, where it was NE. Rain has been mainly at night or early morning with maximum gust of 15 knots true. Once north of Kuala Bruit, winds were N to NW in the day and SE in the early morning. Good sailing breezes! Generally clear skies and no electrical storms!
These notes are intended to supplement information from Deusa, Bachchat and Nepenthe.
A February crossing, when the NE winds lightened and swell died down to 1m gave us a good sailing passage with clear skies. Winds actually tended to be Northerly, except for around Tg Datu, where it was NE. Rain has been mainly at night or early morning with maximum gust of 15 knots true. Once north of Kuala Bruit, winds were N to NW in the day and SE in the early morning. Good sailing breezes! Generally clear skies and no electrical storms!
Our waypoints are WGS84. Some of the charts are not.
On approach to Tg Datu, digital charts indicate that P. Muri (Indonesia) at chartered position 01 54.12 N 108 39.06 E is actually 0.7 nm to the SW. P Muri Kecil nearby is a small rock, visible above the surface. Our estimation is that is chartered correctly. Both need to be checked on approach.
Kuala Poloh RiverWe entered here to circumnavigate Palau Bruit. This is also an entry point for Sibu. Large ships enter here and there is a marked channel with two sets of red/green markers.
Used the following two waypoints, which lined up the channel.
1. 02 30.5 N 111 07.22 E
2. 02 28.97 N 111.11.11EWe followed Deusa’s (RRF Publications) mud map, which was excellent.
Entered on a flood tide, about 2 hours before HW and had a minimum depth of 7m. N/NE swell was a little more than 1m and NE wind around 15 knots true. We experienced no cross currents.
Entrance of the river is accurately chartered, but river itself is a little out in places, although the depths that were shown, we found to be accurate. Look for the red and white striped poles on the river banks. Ships use these poles to navigate around the bends. The Muara Lassa river junction has leads to guide you across.
Just before this river junction there is a small village. We were invited ashore. Other yachts have been ashore here as well and have had a wonderful time. Unfortunately we did not stay as we were on a mission to get to KK to meet family.
Muara Lassa River Would not attempt this in a large swell or strong NE winds as it is around 4-5m in depth for a long way! Chart shows a small island at the entrance, Palau Patok as a mud bank with no vegetation. It is actually well vegetated and there is the possibility of a sheltered anchorage between Palau Bruit and Patok if needing to wait for the tide either way. There were two green markers shown on the chart. These were there, and appeared to be in the chartered position.
Approx position of Starboard markers:
1. 02 52.9 N 111 24.3E
2. 02 49 N 111 24.4 E
We followed the mud bank which extends W/NW from Palau Patok to the starboard hand makers as we could see the bank!
Whilst the oil rigs have very bright lights, there are some rigs that have many single towers around them with poorly visible lights. Might be a little hard to see on a dark wet night!
Bintulu Port
Harbour Police came out to welcome us and took us to said corner to tie up. They were happy to take a line to the wharf for us. Watch out for the very thick rope just floating on the surface. We did not see it and dropped the anchor next to it! It is an old mooring line from a tug. Whilst this was an ok anchorage in settled weather, we spoke to some yachts that had been tied up there in a 35 knot squall and said that the surge in the corner was a little daunting! We have spoken to more than one yacht that had ended up on the rocks behind them!
There is a little town called Medan, which has great supermarkets. Bintulu town, just down the road had a great fresh market.
We got a lift into town and were told of the bus back, but no-one in town knew of a bus that went past the port! I guess we did not ask the right question!
Miri
NB Deusa’s notes (RRF Publications) are outdated here as coastline has been altered with the new marina and land fill.
We entered the marina on a 0.8m tide, which gave us a minimum depth just inside the entrance of 2.6m.
It appears that Finn is the person to contact, except he was not there and is no longer the ‘Marina Manager’.
Power and water – no charges for this, however each boat has a 35RM charge per week, in addition to marina fees, if you are staying on board. Good security and a cheap place to stay.
Walk out to the road and turn right. Marina office is in the second row of shops. The Park City Everley Hotel just passed the marina office (the lower of the white multi story buildings you can see from the marina) has a beautiful foyer with free WIFI! They are happy for you to sit in there and use it for no charge! Good music in the evenings.
Near these shops is a bus stop for busses in and out of town. Taxi into town is not cheap at 12RM!
In town, there is a good supermarket under the Imperial Hotel building. Look for the ‘Sugar Bun’. The entrance is in the basement near there. Over the road from the Sugar Bun is a wine shop which sells cartons of beer for 47RM. On the way to the Imperial is a restaurant called ‘Mings’. It is excellent!
Tourist information is near the short distance bus station.
Hired a car and visited some of the National Parks. Nice walking. Boardwalk at Niah Caves has been renewed (should be finished by April). It is now half the distance and not slippery!
Clearance in/out is a little confusing. Jabutan Laut (on the way into town) will no longer give you harbour clearance. They tell you that you now need to go for a half hour taxi ride to the port. (Taxi is 70 RM there and same back!) Alternatively, you can catch the 1A bus from outside the Tourist Information Office.) However, the Customs people in town were very understanding and gave us our Port Clearance as well. Immigration even came out to the marina to clear us out! It appears that the yachts do not have to follow the same regulations as the ships. Phew!
Kuala Belait, Brunei (KB)Entrance is lit and strait forward between the breakwaters. Port Hand marker approx 04 36.2 N 114 10.3E. It was not lit and the top had been bent over. We did notice some nice new marks ready to be deployed at Jabutan Laut! No problem with depth entering the river. We anchored in the river overnight almost opposite the boat club and did not go ashore. The river shallows quickly. No problems. This is a very busy port which services the rigs.
Juradong, Brunei
Although the entrance is not lit, it is marked by sets of poles (just imagine the red and green!) It would be a safe haven in a heavy swell as the entrance is deep and straight forward and so well protected! We came in on a 3.8m tide and had a minimum depth of 6.8m. Lots of fishermen come in as well and very kindly did not have their nets across the channel! Nets they were using were small and deep. This is an all round protected anchorage.
Muara, Brunei
Entrance as per Nepenthe (second green marker) worked for us. Red marks are huge and easier to see.) Channel is clearly visible and lit. No problem with depth. Made our way to the Royal Brunei Yacht Club (Serasa, Muara) and anchored as close as we could to get out of the tide. Anchored 05 03.71 N 115 06.43E in mud. Excellent holding.
All in one check in at the Ferry Terminal; a short dinghy ride from the anchorage. Australian Passport holders are not the flavour of the month here, but no problems. We were more concerned with yet another whole page taken up in our passports! Australian Customs took offence to the Sultan flying direct from Brunei to his cattle station in the NT!! So, on entry we are the only ones who have to pay for a visa on arrival. Australian passport holders get two weeks and pay 5 – 20 Brunei dollars, depending on how much of the two weeks you wish to stay. If you only want fuel and a quick look around, $5 gets you 72 hours. British passport holders get 4 weeks, no charges. Not sure about others. Labuan not far away for a visa run!
Apparently if you are Australian Passport holders and check in at KB, there is no charge!
Singapore Dollar and Brunei Dollar are interchangeable here.
Customs did get a little antsy with us as one is supposed to check in/out at the nearest port on arrival/departure in Brunei waters. ie KB or Muara. We pleaded ignorance!
Enjoy the excellent facilities at RBYC. Of course the bargain is the diesel at under 0.30 AUD!!!!!!!
We decided to hire a car as we had a lot of fuel to get and did not want to go further up river with the yacht to the fuel barge. However, there are buses that run into BSB from outside the YC. Muara town is a short bus ride. Banks, bakery and a good supermarket here. John, at the YC will assist yachties.
If you have any questions email Allan Riches who runs Brunei Bay Radio for us sailmailers. radio@bruneibay.net He is very helpful and also involved in the tourist industry so has lots of suggestions of the best places to go!
Labuan
Although a busy port, we anchored in said position opposite the ferry terminal. No problems, no hassles. There are a few moorings there for local boats. Water Taxi ashore is fast and easy and still only 1 RM pp. Cleared into Malaysia/Sabah here as it is easier then KK. Jabutan Laut is the second building to the east of the ferry terminal. Marine Department, first floor. Immigration and customs in the ferry terminal building. They are so incredibly welcoming and helpful. We were advised by the Marine Department that it was not necessary to clear into KK. Good advice as the Harbour Master is a 50Rm taxi ride in KK!
Another yacht was anchored outside the Waterfront Hotel, where the old marina used to be. They took their dinghy and tied up inside the ‘marina’. Apparently you could take your yacht in there, but it is shallow. Further from town and 5Rm for water taxi.
Palau Tiga
What a gem! The bay on the south side has excellent protection from E through to NE, E and W wind and swell. Sand and clear water!!!!!!! Anchored inside the NW reef which curves around the point, and to the west of the two piers, at 05 43.214 N 115 38.840 E, in 6m, sand just short of high tide. There is a house reef between the piers, close to the beach. It was clear around our anchorage – no bommies. HOWEVER there is a significant wooden stake that is exposed at low tide to the NW of where we anchored, closer to the reef and shore.
Such a beautiful place to hang out. Eco friendly resort ashore. Fabulous jungle walk around the island; huge old trees with amazing buttress roots. Mud pool on the eastern side is great!! People pay a lot of money for a mud spa! House reef has beautiful corals, some of which we had not seen in the Indian Ocean and many fish. The NW reef also had some different corals, but not so many fish.
Kota Kinabalu
Although entrance to Sutera Harbour is straightforward, if approach is in heavy seas/winds, (the bay is well protected) perhaps a more northerly/north westerly approach in preference to a westerly approach would assist the sighting of the entrance against the rocks.
Sutera Harbour ph +60 (0)88 252 266
marinaoffice@suteraharbour.com.my
Excellent facilities. Big decision on which pool to hang out in!
Many anchorages around nearby islands, although most are deep.
We will be moving to Kudat at the end of March to Haul Out. This is a local yard with a Travel Lift. We have spoken to many yachts that have hauled out here for work and long term storage. All news is good!
A February crossing, when the NE winds lightened and swell died down to 1m gave us a good sailing passage with clear skies. Winds actually tended to be Northerly, except for around Tg Datu, where it was NE. Rain has been mainly at night or early morning with maximum gust of 15 knots true. Once north of Kuala Bruit, winds were N to NW in the day and SE in the early morning. Good sailing breezes! Generally clear skies and no electrical storms!
These notes are intended to supplement information from Deusa, Bachchat and Nepenthe.
A February crossing, when the NE winds lightened and swell died down to 1m gave us a good sailing passage with clear skies. Winds actually tended to be Northerly, except for around Tg Datu, where it was NE. Rain has been mainly at night or early morning with maximum gust of 15 knots true. Once north of Kuala Bruit, winds were N to NW in the day and SE in the early morning. Good sailing breezes! Generally clear skies and no electrical storms!
Our waypoints are WGS84. Some of the charts are not.
On approach to Tg Datu, digital charts indicate that P. Muri (Indonesia) at chartered position 01 54.12 N 108 39.06 E is actually 0.7 nm to the SW. P Muri Kecil nearby is a small rock, visible above the surface. Our estimation is that is chartered correctly. Both need to be checked on approach.
Kuala Poloh RiverWe entered here to circumnavigate Palau Bruit. This is also an entry point for Sibu. Large ships enter here and there is a marked channel with two sets of red/green markers.
Used the following two waypoints, which lined up the channel.
1. 02 30.5 N 111 07.22 E
2. 02 28.97 N 111.11.11EWe followed Deusa’s (RRF Publications) mud map, which was excellent.
Entered on a flood tide, about 2 hours before HW and had a minimum depth of 7m. N/NE swell was a little more than 1m and NE wind around 15 knots true. We experienced no cross currents.
Entrance of the river is accurately chartered, but river itself is a little out in places, although the depths that were shown, we found to be accurate. Look for the red and white striped poles on the river banks. Ships use these poles to navigate around the bends. The Muara Lassa river junction has leads to guide you across.
Just before this river junction there is a small village. We were invited ashore. Other yachts have been ashore here as well and have had a wonderful time. Unfortunately we did not stay as we were on a mission to get to KK to meet family.
Muara Lassa River Would not attempt this in a large swell or strong NE winds as it is around 4-5m in depth for a long way! Chart shows a small island at the entrance, Palau Patok as a mud bank with no vegetation. It is actually well vegetated and there is the possibility of a sheltered anchorage between Palau Bruit and Patok if needing to wait for the tide either way. There were two green markers shown on the chart. These were there, and appeared to be in the chartered position.
Approx position of Starboard markers:
1. 02 52.9 N 111 24.3E
2. 02 49 N 111 24.4 E
We followed the mud bank which extends W/NW from Palau Patok to the starboard hand makers as we could see the bank!
Whilst the oil rigs have very bright lights, there are some rigs that have many single towers around them with poorly visible lights. Might be a little hard to see on a dark wet night!
Bintulu Port
Harbour Police came out to welcome us and took us to said corner to tie up. They were happy to take a line to the wharf for us. Watch out for the very thick rope just floating on the surface. We did not see it and dropped the anchor next to it! It is an old mooring line from a tug. Whilst this was an ok anchorage in settled weather, we spoke to some yachts that had been tied up there in a 35 knot squall and said that the surge in the corner was a little daunting! We have spoken to more than one yacht that had ended up on the rocks behind them!
There is a little town called Medan, which has great supermarkets. Bintulu town, just down the road had a great fresh market.
We got a lift into town and were told of the bus back, but no-one in town knew of a bus that went past the port! I guess we did not ask the right question!
Miri
NB Deusa’s notes (RRF Publications) are outdated here as coastline has been altered with the new marina and land fill.
We entered the marina on a 0.8m tide, which gave us a minimum depth just inside the entrance of 2.6m.
It appears that Finn is the person to contact, except he was not there and is no longer the ‘Marina Manager’.
Power and water – no charges for this, however each boat has a 35RM charge per week, in addition to marina fees, if you are staying on board. Good security and a cheap place to stay.
Walk out to the road and turn right. Marina office is in the second row of shops. The Park City Everley Hotel just passed the marina office (the lower of the white multi story buildings you can see from the marina) has a beautiful foyer with free WIFI! They are happy for you to sit in there and use it for no charge! Good music in the evenings.
Near these shops is a bus stop for busses in and out of town. Taxi into town is not cheap at 12RM!
In town, there is a good supermarket under the Imperial Hotel building. Look for the ‘Sugar Bun’. The entrance is in the basement near there. Over the road from the Sugar Bun is a wine shop which sells cartons of beer for 47RM. On the way to the Imperial is a restaurant called ‘Mings’. It is excellent!
Tourist information is near the short distance bus station.
Hired a car and visited some of the National Parks. Nice walking. Boardwalk at Niah Caves has been renewed (should be finished by April). It is now half the distance and not slippery!
Clearance in/out is a little confusing. Jabutan Laut (on the way into town) will no longer give you harbour clearance. They tell you that you now need to go for a half hour taxi ride to the port. (Taxi is 70 RM there and same back!) Alternatively, you can catch the 1A bus from outside the Tourist Information Office.) However, the Customs people in town were very understanding and gave us our Port Clearance as well. Immigration even came out to the marina to clear us out! It appears that the yachts do not have to follow the same regulations as the ships. Phew!
Kuala Belait, Brunei (KB)Entrance is lit and strait forward between the breakwaters. Port Hand marker approx 04 36.2 N 114 10.3E. It was not lit and the top had been bent over. We did notice some nice new marks ready to be deployed at Jabutan Laut! No problem with depth entering the river. We anchored in the river overnight almost opposite the boat club and did not go ashore. The river shallows quickly. No problems. This is a very busy port which services the rigs.
Juradong, Brunei
Although the entrance is not lit, it is marked by sets of poles (just imagine the red and green!) It would be a safe haven in a heavy swell as the entrance is deep and straight forward and so well protected! We came in on a 3.8m tide and had a minimum depth of 6.8m. Lots of fishermen come in as well and very kindly did not have their nets across the channel! Nets they were using were small and deep. This is an all round protected anchorage.
Muara, Brunei
Entrance as per Nepenthe (second green marker) worked for us. Red marks are huge and easier to see.) Channel is clearly visible and lit. No problem with depth. Made our way to the Royal Brunei Yacht Club (Serasa, Muara) and anchored as close as we could to get out of the tide. Anchored 05 03.71 N 115 06.43E in mud. Excellent holding.
All in one check in at the Ferry Terminal; a short dinghy ride from the anchorage. Australian Passport holders are not the flavour of the month here, but no problems. We were more concerned with yet another whole page taken up in our passports! Australian Customs took offence to the Sultan flying direct from Brunei to his cattle station in the NT!! So, on entry we are the only ones who have to pay for a visa on arrival. Australian passport holders get two weeks and pay 5 – 20 Brunei dollars, depending on how much of the two weeks you wish to stay. If you only want fuel and a quick look around, $5 gets you 72 hours. British passport holders get 4 weeks, no charges. Not sure about others. Labuan not far away for a visa run!
Apparently if you are Australian Passport holders and check in at KB, there is no charge!
Singapore Dollar and Brunei Dollar are interchangeable here.
Customs did get a little antsy with us as one is supposed to check in/out at the nearest port on arrival/departure in Brunei waters. ie KB or Muara. We pleaded ignorance!
Enjoy the excellent facilities at RBYC. Of course the bargain is the diesel at under 0.30 AUD!!!!!!!
We decided to hire a car as we had a lot of fuel to get and did not want to go further up river with the yacht to the fuel barge. However, there are buses that run into BSB from outside the YC. Muara town is a short bus ride. Banks, bakery and a good supermarket here. John, at the YC will assist yachties.
If you have any questions email Allan Riches who runs Brunei Bay Radio for us sailmailers. radio@bruneibay.net He is very helpful and also involved in the tourist industry so has lots of suggestions of the best places to go!
Labuan
Although a busy port, we anchored in said position opposite the ferry terminal. No problems, no hassles. There are a few moorings there for local boats. Water Taxi ashore is fast and easy and still only 1 RM pp. Cleared into Malaysia/Sabah here as it is easier then KK. Jabutan Laut is the second building to the east of the ferry terminal. Marine Department, first floor. Immigration and customs in the ferry terminal building. They are so incredibly welcoming and helpful. We were advised by the Marine Department that it was not necessary to clear into KK. Good advice as the Harbour Master is a 50Rm taxi ride in KK!
Another yacht was anchored outside the Waterfront Hotel, where the old marina used to be. They took their dinghy and tied up inside the ‘marina’. Apparently you could take your yacht in there, but it is shallow. Further from town and 5Rm for water taxi.
Palau Tiga
What a gem! The bay on the south side has excellent protection from E through to NE, E and W wind and swell. Sand and clear water!!!!!!! Anchored inside the NW reef which curves around the point, and to the west of the two piers, at 05 43.214 N 115 38.840 E, in 6m, sand just short of high tide. There is a house reef between the piers, close to the beach. It was clear around our anchorage – no bommies. HOWEVER there is a significant wooden stake that is exposed at low tide to the NW of where we anchored, closer to the reef and shore.
Such a beautiful place to hang out. Eco friendly resort ashore. Fabulous jungle walk around the island; huge old trees with amazing buttress roots. Mud pool on the eastern side is great!! People pay a lot of money for a mud spa! House reef has beautiful corals, some of which we had not seen in the Indian Ocean and many fish. The NW reef also had some different corals, but not so many fish.
Kota Kinabalu
Although entrance to Sutera Harbour is straightforward, if approach is in heavy seas/winds, (the bay is well protected) perhaps a more northerly/north westerly approach in preference to a westerly approach would assist the sighting of the entrance against the rocks.
Sutera Harbour ph +60 (0)88 252 266
marinaoffice@suteraharbour.com.my
Excellent facilities. Big decision on which pool to hang out in!
Many anchorages around nearby islands, although most are deep.
We will be moving to Kudat at the end of March to Haul Out. This is a local yard with a Travel Lift. We have spoken to many yachts that have hauled out here for work and long term storage. All news is good!
18 Şubat 2007 Pazar
Cruising around Brunei. Notes from Allan Riches, Brunei Bay Radio
Brunei Bay Radio – radio@bruneibay.net
You might also find the information on our website useful - www.bruneibay.net/bbradio especially if you plan to visit Brunei.
If you are heading to the Philippines be sure to look at the Puerto Galera Yacht Club – www.pgyc.com - for cruising information. They are very helpful with e-mail responses to cruising yachts.
Please use - and tell others about our accommodation booking services for NW Borneo ( www.bruneibay.net/hotelsearch ). We also have tour operations (www.bruneibay.net/intrepidtours ) in Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak, including the best preserved Borneo rainforest at Ulu Temburong National Park, and Proboscus Monkeys beside the Sultan’s Palace in Brunei. In Sabah, budget priced eco/cultural tours & accommodation in Sandakan/Sepilok and the Kinabatangan River. The income helps support Brunei Bay Radio’s services for cruising yachts.
CHART NOTES:
1. Barat Bank light ( 5d 9.3m N 115d 5.4m E), in the entry to Brunei Bay, does not exist - no buoy and no light. A new (December 05) safe water mark has recently appeared at about 5d 7.0m E 115d 6.9m E.
2. One additional set of lateral (port and starboard) marks was added to the entry channel to Muara port a few years agao and is still not updated on a lot of charts. The present charts show three pairs (port and starboard) of lateral marks along the main entry channel. An additional (4th) pair has been added, about 0.5 nm further to sea.
3. It is VERY important to enter the shipping channel from the outer port and starboard marks. A submerged rock training wall extends well out from shore along the line of the starboard hand channel marks; ie southern side of the channel. It is shown on paper and digital charts (if you look at the detailed display) and it has been further extended with the installation of the additional pair of lateral marks. It is very close to the surface; a visiting cat lost a rudder here in 2005 when cutting the corner.
4. The special mark at 5d 0.3m N 115d 03.85 E (near the RBYC anchorage) does not exist since about 1996 - no post and no light. But the broken off legs are below the surface and some yachts have hit these. Keep well clear.
5. Upon entry to Brunei, proceed to the anchorage off Royal Brunei Yacht Club (Serasa) at approx 5d 0.1m N 115d 04.0m E. No need to wait in the Quarantine anchorage. If you arrive in the evening it's OK to report in next morning.
6. The RBYC anchorage is good holding in mostly mud with almost no commercial traffic to upset your sleep. Don't come closer in than the moored yachts, (catamarans excepted) it gets shallow fast.
7. Five minutes from the anchorage in your tender (with outboard) to Serasa ferry terminal (5d 0.9m N 115d 03.8m E) for immigration, customs and port clearance. Or come ashore at the yacht club and catch the bus or get a lift from someone. Ferry terminal open from 0700 to 1700 but officers can be absent for lunch, morning tea etc. Best to go there just before ferries arrive.
8. The special mark on some charts at 10d 1.0m N 115d 10.0m E, on the route from Brunei to Labuan, does not exist - no buoy and no light.
9. Keraman Island (between Brunei and Labuan) is a popular spot for weekend boaters from Brunei. It has a very simple resort facility, cheap beer, showers and meals ashore at the point where the long sand spit meets the land - 5d 13.2m N 115d 8.4m E. Anchor either side of the long sand spit (the dashed line on the chart) - depending on whether it is a NW or SW wind at the time – to get shelter from the waves. This is a Marine Park with restrictions on anchoring but foreign registered yachts are allowed to anchor. The anchorage areas off the “resort” are sandy bottom not coral. The inside anchorage – between Keraman Island and Rusukan Kecill – is shallow and you need to anchor well out from the resort end of the sand spit. This side of the spit is only used for anchorage during the NE Monsoon period (November to March), so most cruisers will use the northern – deeper – side.
10. The NE Monsoon actually blows from the NW in the southern South China Sea (as the wind swings to enter the Jawa Sea between southern Borneo and Sumatera), and along the west coast of Borneo. The west Borneo coastline has been the traditional sailing ship route for this reason. Racing yachts setting out from the Singapore Straits in January – the height of the NE Monsoon - usually take one tack all the way to meet the Borneo coast just south of Miri.
INFORMATION:
1. Diesel can be brought to your boat in containers from nearby vehicle fuel stations. Diesel is still Bn$0.31 per litre. See John at the Royal Brunei Yacht Club for assistance with getting containers to the filling station 3 km away. The club charges a small fee for this. New regulations have recently been introduced (31st Dec 05) to control the sale of fuel (heavily subidised in Brunei) to people from neighbouring Malaysia. This may cause some additional steps in getting fuel for visiting yachts; eg: fuel containers must be proper containers with a manufacturer’s stamp for carrying fuel.
2. The Royal Brunei Yacht Club at Serasa has a pool, extensive dining room menu, open air dining room, washing machine, small workshop/repair area, shower and good shower/toilet facilities. Visiting yachts receive free temporary membership for one month, then pay a small monthly fee. Cheap local bus (air-conditioned) to central shopping area at Bandar Seri Begawan takes about 45 minutes. The yacht club has a great party on News Year's Eve.
3. A second RBYC clubhouse is located at Kota Batu, upstream on the Brunei River. Anchor just off the club house in about 8 metres of water at approx 4d 52.9m N 114d 59.1m E. Keep in close to the club to stay out of the main channel. Use your dinghy to get ashore at the club’s small floating jetty. Showers, toilets, washing machine available free for visiting yachts. Extensive menu with inside (air-cond) or outside dining area. This location is popular with yacht crews wishing to visit the main shopping area as the public bus takes only 10 minutes.
4. Boats and boat parts imported into Brunei are duty free. Quite a few yachts have used Brunei to receive parts and new sails.
5. There are no limits on the time visiting yachts can stay in Brunei. No special permit is required and there is no money to pay. (My Australian registered yacht has been here for 12 years.)
6. Brunei is a very relaxed and friendly Moslem country. The mostly Malay people are generally well off, travel a lot, speak English very well, are well educated and well informed. They like their personal freedoms and convenient lifestyle. Christmas Day (December 25th) is a public holiday and so too is New Year Day (1st January). The government working week is Monday to Friday and Saturday. The Moslem holy day – Friday – and the Christian holy day – Sunday – are non-work days. But all the shops are open for business every day from about 0900 to 2100.
7. There is no income tax and very few duties or sales taxes. Oil and gas revenue provides money for government operations and services. For Bruneians, education is free, seeing a doctor is free, pharmaceuticals are free, hospital operations are free, land and houses are free for low income earners, car loans are cheap etc.
8. Apart from no alcohol being sold (bring your own in your yacht – officially 12 cans of beer and 2 bottles of wine/spirit per person per entry), there are very few other limitations. Conservative clothing (ie: long pants, short sleeved shirts) is in tune with local standards. Point with your thumb; not index finger. Almost everyone speaks good English. Brunei is officially a dual language country, Malay and English. Most school classes are conducted in English from about 9 years of age.
9. Brunei currency notes and Singapore currency notes are legal tender in Brunei and Singapore and have the same value. Buy whatever you get the best rate on. Be sure to have some Brunei or Singapore $ for your arrival formalities. A single entry Visit pass is Bn$20 and a multiple-entry pass is Bn$50. A 72 hour transit (ie: enter from one place, depart to a different place) visa is Bn$5. If you plan to stay a few weeks a multiple-entry visa is worth having so your can go in and out to visit adjacent places in Sarawak. The Immigration staff don’t always have the right change so have the right money and/or small notes.
10. Check my website - www.bruneibay.net for more information. Select Intrepid Tours, then Brunei Darussalam, then Visitor Information.
11. We can be contacted on HF at the standby times shown on the website - www.bruneibay.net/bbradio on the channels/frequencies assigned to Brunei Bay Radio; also shown on the website. We also operate a 24 hour watch for sel-call alerts. If you need details about Sel-Call e-mailed, let me know.
Regards
Allan
You might also find the information on our website useful - www.bruneibay.net/bbradio especially if you plan to visit Brunei.
If you are heading to the Philippines be sure to look at the Puerto Galera Yacht Club – www.pgyc.com - for cruising information. They are very helpful with e-mail responses to cruising yachts.
Please use - and tell others about our accommodation booking services for NW Borneo ( www.bruneibay.net/hotelsearch ). We also have tour operations (www.bruneibay.net/intrepidtours ) in Brunei, Sabah and Sarawak, including the best preserved Borneo rainforest at Ulu Temburong National Park, and Proboscus Monkeys beside the Sultan’s Palace in Brunei. In Sabah, budget priced eco/cultural tours & accommodation in Sandakan/Sepilok and the Kinabatangan River. The income helps support Brunei Bay Radio’s services for cruising yachts.
CHART NOTES:
1. Barat Bank light ( 5d 9.3m N 115d 5.4m E), in the entry to Brunei Bay, does not exist - no buoy and no light. A new (December 05) safe water mark has recently appeared at about 5d 7.0m E 115d 6.9m E.
2. One additional set of lateral (port and starboard) marks was added to the entry channel to Muara port a few years agao and is still not updated on a lot of charts. The present charts show three pairs (port and starboard) of lateral marks along the main entry channel. An additional (4th) pair has been added, about 0.5 nm further to sea.
3. It is VERY important to enter the shipping channel from the outer port and starboard marks. A submerged rock training wall extends well out from shore along the line of the starboard hand channel marks; ie southern side of the channel. It is shown on paper and digital charts (if you look at the detailed display) and it has been further extended with the installation of the additional pair of lateral marks. It is very close to the surface; a visiting cat lost a rudder here in 2005 when cutting the corner.
4. The special mark at 5d 0.3m N 115d 03.85 E (near the RBYC anchorage) does not exist since about 1996 - no post and no light. But the broken off legs are below the surface and some yachts have hit these. Keep well clear.
5. Upon entry to Brunei, proceed to the anchorage off Royal Brunei Yacht Club (Serasa) at approx 5d 0.1m N 115d 04.0m E. No need to wait in the Quarantine anchorage. If you arrive in the evening it's OK to report in next morning.
6. The RBYC anchorage is good holding in mostly mud with almost no commercial traffic to upset your sleep. Don't come closer in than the moored yachts, (catamarans excepted) it gets shallow fast.
7. Five minutes from the anchorage in your tender (with outboard) to Serasa ferry terminal (5d 0.9m N 115d 03.8m E) for immigration, customs and port clearance. Or come ashore at the yacht club and catch the bus or get a lift from someone. Ferry terminal open from 0700 to 1700 but officers can be absent for lunch, morning tea etc. Best to go there just before ferries arrive.
8. The special mark on some charts at 10d 1.0m N 115d 10.0m E, on the route from Brunei to Labuan, does not exist - no buoy and no light.
9. Keraman Island (between Brunei and Labuan) is a popular spot for weekend boaters from Brunei. It has a very simple resort facility, cheap beer, showers and meals ashore at the point where the long sand spit meets the land - 5d 13.2m N 115d 8.4m E. Anchor either side of the long sand spit (the dashed line on the chart) - depending on whether it is a NW or SW wind at the time – to get shelter from the waves. This is a Marine Park with restrictions on anchoring but foreign registered yachts are allowed to anchor. The anchorage areas off the “resort” are sandy bottom not coral. The inside anchorage – between Keraman Island and Rusukan Kecill – is shallow and you need to anchor well out from the resort end of the sand spit. This side of the spit is only used for anchorage during the NE Monsoon period (November to March), so most cruisers will use the northern – deeper – side.
10. The NE Monsoon actually blows from the NW in the southern South China Sea (as the wind swings to enter the Jawa Sea between southern Borneo and Sumatera), and along the west coast of Borneo. The west Borneo coastline has been the traditional sailing ship route for this reason. Racing yachts setting out from the Singapore Straits in January – the height of the NE Monsoon - usually take one tack all the way to meet the Borneo coast just south of Miri.
INFORMATION:
1. Diesel can be brought to your boat in containers from nearby vehicle fuel stations. Diesel is still Bn$0.31 per litre. See John at the Royal Brunei Yacht Club for assistance with getting containers to the filling station 3 km away. The club charges a small fee for this. New regulations have recently been introduced (31st Dec 05) to control the sale of fuel (heavily subidised in Brunei) to people from neighbouring Malaysia. This may cause some additional steps in getting fuel for visiting yachts; eg: fuel containers must be proper containers with a manufacturer’s stamp for carrying fuel.
2. The Royal Brunei Yacht Club at Serasa has a pool, extensive dining room menu, open air dining room, washing machine, small workshop/repair area, shower and good shower/toilet facilities. Visiting yachts receive free temporary membership for one month, then pay a small monthly fee. Cheap local bus (air-conditioned) to central shopping area at Bandar Seri Begawan takes about 45 minutes. The yacht club has a great party on News Year's Eve.
3. A second RBYC clubhouse is located at Kota Batu, upstream on the Brunei River. Anchor just off the club house in about 8 metres of water at approx 4d 52.9m N 114d 59.1m E. Keep in close to the club to stay out of the main channel. Use your dinghy to get ashore at the club’s small floating jetty. Showers, toilets, washing machine available free for visiting yachts. Extensive menu with inside (air-cond) or outside dining area. This location is popular with yacht crews wishing to visit the main shopping area as the public bus takes only 10 minutes.
4. Boats and boat parts imported into Brunei are duty free. Quite a few yachts have used Brunei to receive parts and new sails.
5. There are no limits on the time visiting yachts can stay in Brunei. No special permit is required and there is no money to pay. (My Australian registered yacht has been here for 12 years.)
6. Brunei is a very relaxed and friendly Moslem country. The mostly Malay people are generally well off, travel a lot, speak English very well, are well educated and well informed. They like their personal freedoms and convenient lifestyle. Christmas Day (December 25th) is a public holiday and so too is New Year Day (1st January). The government working week is Monday to Friday and Saturday. The Moslem holy day – Friday – and the Christian holy day – Sunday – are non-work days. But all the shops are open for business every day from about 0900 to 2100.
7. There is no income tax and very few duties or sales taxes. Oil and gas revenue provides money for government operations and services. For Bruneians, education is free, seeing a doctor is free, pharmaceuticals are free, hospital operations are free, land and houses are free for low income earners, car loans are cheap etc.
8. Apart from no alcohol being sold (bring your own in your yacht – officially 12 cans of beer and 2 bottles of wine/spirit per person per entry), there are very few other limitations. Conservative clothing (ie: long pants, short sleeved shirts) is in tune with local standards. Point with your thumb; not index finger. Almost everyone speaks good English. Brunei is officially a dual language country, Malay and English. Most school classes are conducted in English from about 9 years of age.
9. Brunei currency notes and Singapore currency notes are legal tender in Brunei and Singapore and have the same value. Buy whatever you get the best rate on. Be sure to have some Brunei or Singapore $ for your arrival formalities. A single entry Visit pass is Bn$20 and a multiple-entry pass is Bn$50. A 72 hour transit (ie: enter from one place, depart to a different place) visa is Bn$5. If you plan to stay a few weeks a multiple-entry visa is worth having so your can go in and out to visit adjacent places in Sarawak. The Immigration staff don’t always have the right change so have the right money and/or small notes.
10. Check my website - www.bruneibay.net for more information. Select Intrepid Tours, then Brunei Darussalam, then Visitor Information.
11. We can be contacted on HF at the standby times shown on the website - www.bruneibay.net/bbradio on the channels/frequencies assigned to Brunei Bay Radio; also shown on the website. We also operate a 24 hour watch for sel-call alerts. If you need details about Sel-Call e-mailed, let me know.
Regards
Allan
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