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S/Y Capricorn, a gulet built in Turkey in 2009 is now available for charter in Phuket from Asia Marine (for more see pg# 44).

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SEA Yachting is Southeast Asia's regional marine industry magazine. We welcome your comments. Please feel free to send comments or letters to the editor at editor@seayachting.net. Where possible your letters will be published.

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Southeast Asia's yachting and marine industry magazine

CONTENTS Regional News Catch up on who’s doing what, when, where and how in Southeast Asia’s marine scene.

Phuket King’s Cup celebrates 25 years

14 22

With photographs from the superb lenswoman Rolien we take a look back at all the action from the 25th King’s Cup; who took part, what happened and who won. From the opening sail by to the final awards presentation, the King’s Cup is a sailing spectacle like no other in this part of the world .

Simpson Marine shines in Thailand Simpson Marine recently celebrated the delivery of five catamarans with a launch party at Royal Phuket Marina. The photos in this piece, courtesy of Sergio Loiacono, capture the christening and blessing of a Lagoon 520 at RPM.

EFG Bank Mandrake captures 2011 Raja Muda

28 32

Text from Jeff Harris and photos from Guy Nowell, one of the best sailing photographers anywhere, recapture the excitement of the 2011 Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta, which featured three overnight passage races on the way from Port Klang to Langkawi.

Vega discovers East Timor While on a humanitarian mission to East Timor, H/V Vega discovered a whole new sailing destination in the process. Read why Captain Shane Granger describes East Timor as “an uncomplicated piece of paradise on route from Australia to East Timor”.

www.seayachting.net

Southeast Asia's yachting and marine industry magazine

CONTENTS 44

New gulet sails from Andaman waters Read all about S/Y Capricorn, the new Turkish gulet recently arrived in Phuket, which will be managed by Asia Marine. The beautiful boat was on display as a spectator boat during the King’s Cup regatta.

Timber for the Dragon Treasure Boat Colin Yeo fills us in the very difficult to procure timber that was shipped from Borneo by the Dragon Group to build a replica of Zhang He’s treasure boat in the Nanjing boatyard.

Foxy Lady excerpts

New Indonesian Boat Regulations

MC260 Boat Review

Dave Kattenburg’s boat is subtitled, Truth, Memory & the Death of Western Yachtsmen Democratic Kampuchuea. Read more about this tragic tale of Western yachties caught in Cambodia during the cruel reign of the Khmer Rouge in this issue of SEA Yachting.

Indonesia authorities have finally removed the unpopular PINB Customs Bond, something yachties have been clamouring they do for ages. It’s been replaced with a more amicable system, which came into effect 3 Dec 2011.

Renowned Aussie sailing scribe Kevin Green weighs in on McConaghy’s MC260, which he describes as a “cruising cat with America’s Cup pedigree”.

www.seayachting.net

YACTH PRO

Regional

NEWS

Close racing brings the 2011 Phuket Dinghy Series to an exciting end

Series winner, Optimist Class, Anapat Ngarmdee. Photo by MarineScene.asia.

A close battle on-the-water at the 2011 Phuket Dinghy Series. Photo by MarineScene.asia. The final weekend of the three-event Phuket Dinghy Series organized by the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta was held off Panwa on Phuket’s East Coast recently. Twenty-six Optimists and five Lasers competed in the twoday event held 19 and 20 November – the decider in the Series. Six races over the two days meant plenty of points were still available and places could be lost or gained in the overall series. The pre-race briefing, given by Phuket Dinghy Series Event Manager Commander Pornprom Sakultem of the Royal Thai Navy, outlined the sailing area, courses and discussed tactics. A feature of all events in the Series, the training sessions provided a unique opportunity for the young sailors to learn more about competitive sailing, share their experiences and develop sailing skills further. On Day 1 of Series III, the sailors were greeted with a light onshore breeze. The course was set offshore, where the wind was stronger, with the surrounding southern Islands as a backdrop. Battle lines were drawn and the competition resumed between Series leader and 2010 winner Sattahip-native Anapat Ngarmdee, and Phuket-native, Akapoj Kankaew, representing the Phuket Youth Sailing Club. A congested startline saw Anapat

Series III Results Optimist Class 1st Anapat Ngarmdee (10) 2nd Akapoj Kankeaw (12) 3rd Teerapong Tokratoak (19)

Laser Class 1st Jittawat Boonrat (10) 2nd Chut Dawruang (17) 3rd Marco Garambois (19)

away and around the course to take wins in the first two races of the day, with Akapoj close on his heels posting two seconds. In the last race of the day, Akapoj posted a first closing the gap on Anapat who finished fifth. Day 2 looked to be more of the same, but Anapat stepped up a gear and took three wins from three to take the Series III title with a resounding finish. Akapoj posted a third and two seconds to finish second overall with Terrapong Tokratoak in third. Close racing in the Laser Class saw places swapped throughout the weekend with Jittawat Boonrat finally coming out on top posting four wins out of six to take the Series III title. Inconsistency let Chut Dawruang down but after a tough battle Chut took second in Series III from Marco Garambois in third. The 2011 Phuket Dinghy Series saw 39 boats compete overall. Eighteen races in three different locations, pre-regatta training and post-event debriefs gave participants a unique experience that has become the signature of the Phuket Dinghy Series. Winners of Series III were presented with trophies by Vice Admiral Taratorn Kajitsuwan, Commander Third Naval Area Command. The overall series winners will receive their trophies at the Royal Awards of the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta on Saturday 10th December at Kata Beach Resort & Spa.

Overall Phuket Dinghy Series Results (after two discards)

Optimist Class 1st Anapat Ngarmdee (18) 2nd Akapoj Kankeaw (35) 3rd Teerapong Tokratoak (47)

Laser Class 1st Trirat Manthong (32) 2nd Jittawat Boonrat (34) 3rd Chut Dawruang (40)

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Thailand-based design office Albatross Marine Design is developing new concepts for passenger and tourist catamarans. The PM3000 catamaran is designed to carry 190 passengers seated in aircraft-style seats. The bar is situated in the middle of the saloon with sofas and coffee tables. There are six toilets, and service and engine rooms are provided. Crew cabins for 5 are foreseen, located in demi-hulls. The wheelhouse is spacious with excellent all-round visibility. The saloon is air-conditioned with plenty of light and good visibility. The bow cockpit has sofas and the stern/side deck are accessible for taking photos and lounging outside. The hull material is a composite based on vynilester resin and multiaxial fabrics, with Corecell foam sandwich. The Propulsion will be provided by twin 1350HP engines with shaft drives, enabling cruising speeds of 25kts. The boat is designed in compliance with International High Speed Craft Codes as a passenger craft A, enabling easy certification. www.amdesign.co.th

CORRECTION: Last issue, SEA Yachting incorrectly added an “n” at the end of Asia in Southeast Asia Pilot. We’re sorry, but, it doesn’t have one; it’s Southeast Asia Pilot and it’s available in major bookstores in Thailand and around the world. If you can’t find a copy in your location, you can order online at: http:// www.southeastasiapilot.com/order/

Hall Marine

New 30m passenger catamaran fromAlbatross

Regional

NEWS

Over US$50 million of boats are confirmed to display at PIMEX 2012 Buyers and exhibitors from Asia Pacific and beyond to attend the show. Increased business transactions expected this year. The 2012 Phuket International Boat Show (PIMEX), the region’s largest boating consumer show, looks set to be a bumper edition, with inwater displays almost full four months before the show opens. Organised by Informa Yacht Group, the ninth Phuket International Boat Show will be held at the Royal Phuket Marina from 29th March to 1st April 2012. Over USD50 million (approximately THB1.5 billion) of boats are confirmed to display at PIMEX 2012. With an Asia Pacific footprint, PIMEX brings leading boat brands, yachting products and marine leisure services together in one place. From Australia and New Zealand to China, Abu Dhabi to Japan, the Maldives to Micronesia, the Show provides international buyers with an Asia Pacific one-stopshop of the region’s offerings. The in-water displays have been a core element of the Show since the beginning, providing an opportunity for buyers to experience different boat models “up close and personal”. “PIMEX’s in-water display is the largest in Asia and is a big attraction for international buyers who want to see boats in the marine environment,” commented PIMEX Show Director, Andy Dowden, adding, “Boat sales during, or as a result of, the Show last year are testament to the success of the in-water displays.” With all eyes on Asia, Phuket remains at the heart of regional growth because of its importance as the cruising hub. Easily accessible with an international airport, Phuket’s stability, marine facilities and infrastructure, combined with the sensational cruising grounds that surround it, provide boat owners around the world with the ideal Asian location. Continued growth in the regional marine leisure market has seen more owners choose to base their boats in Phuket. The four international-standard marinas are operating high occupancy year round. Expansion plans at a number of the marinas underscore the confidence in the market and Phuket’s position as the boating playground of Asia. The growth in the number of boats berthed in Phuket is in part due to the diversity of international buyers and the growth of the domestic Thai buyer market.

“We are seeing an increasing trend amongst wealthy Thai customers towards owning a luxury boat, and a growth of interest from international buyers from Russia, China and the Middle East,” said Jariya Sungtong, Sales and Marketing Manager, Windy Boats Asia, a 2012 exhibitor. Further noting the growth of international and domestic buyer markets, Martin Holmes, General Manager of exhibitor Lee Marine, agreed: “There are more and more people coming to the Island and wanting to get into boating. We are seeing more overseas customers, particularly from Russia; but there is also growth too in the number of Thai nationals purchasing yachts.” “PIMEX will build on the success of 2011 and will further continue to lead the growth of boating in Phuket and the region,” added Dowden. The Phuket International Boat Show, now in its ninth year, is held at Royal Phuket Marina from 29th March to 1st April 2012, and is organised by Informa Yacht Group. For more information, visit www.phuketboatshow.com. About Phuket International Boat Show

Now on its ninth year, PIMEX is an established and successful event in the marine and leisure calendar. PIMEX 2012 has big plans for 2012 as the on-water display increases and the exhibition hall includes a greater diversity of displays from as far afield as China, Australia, Italy and France. Like its location, PIMEX is a relaxed event where participants celebrate the boating, leisure and luxury lifestyle in an ideal tropical destination. The show is more than boats on display but also an opportunity to see the latest luxury cars, properties and engage in some Phuket hospitality. www.phuketboatshow.com. About Informa Yacht Group

The Informa Yacht Group is part of Informa Plc and encompasses all the company’s leisure marine events.

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NEWS 17

New marina for Krabi KRABI Krabi Boat Lagoon is being built by the people at Phuket Boat Lagoon. With over 18 years of experience, they have a good track record for yacht management and service for yachts, holiday homes, resort hotels, and retail outlets. Marina facilities will include a boat ramp, a wet dock for 80 boats, a hardstand for 100 boats, a 50-ton travel lift, shoreside electricity & water, wireless Internet, a fuel dock, telephone & fax, scaffolding, a cradle & 24-hour security. www.krabiboatlagoon.com info@krabiboatlagoon.com

LAP MARINE

Regional

NEWS

10th Royal Langkawi International Regatta raises its sails in January 2012

LANGKAWI, the jewel of Kedah, Malaysia will once again be the site of one of the world’s most competitive racing when the 10th Royal Langkawi International Regatta (RLIR) 2012 kicks into full gear in early January. The premier sailing event of Asia which is scheduled to take place from 9th to 14th January 2012 in Kuah, Langkawi will host many different classes of competition, including Racing Class, IRC Class, Sports Boat, Multihull, Club Cruising and Ocean Rover. The RLIR 2012 is the 10th regatta to be organised by the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club (RLYC) consecutively since its inaugural event in 2003 and being a significant year in celebrating its 10th anniversary, preparations are well under way to make this event successful. Coinciding with the anniversary, for the first time, the regatta has been accorded an international recognition as a Grade 3 championship by the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and this achievement, which is one of the highlights of the 10th regatta, proves that RLIR is on a solid track to continue its tradition of excellence in attracting highly competitive racing yachts and sailors from all over the world. The Rear Commodore of RLYC and Chairperson of Regatta Advisory Committee Y.M. Tunku Soraya Dakhlah binti Tunku Tan Sri Abdullah said the regatta also complements the Government’s effort in positioning Langkawi as one of the world’s most widely recognised islands and tourist destination under the Langkawi Five Year Tourism Development Master Plan. “It is our aim to maximise these inherent strengths and turn Langkawi into the region’s premier sailing and yachting destination. We are looking forward to welcoming yacht owners from across the globe to participate and register for this thrilling event, which is aimed to cultivate the spirit of friendship and international sportsmanship among participating countries,” Tunku Soraya said. The Regatta Race Technical Chairman, Ahmad Zailani Bashah said Langkawi is known for its world-class sailing venue with excellent weather experience, best wind conditions and good tropical waters. “The wind speed in January always fluctuates between 8 - 20 knots and we are sure the wind conditions will be the same in January 2012. The Kuah Harbour race and Coastal race always provide two different scenarios for sailors. We have strong wind conditions with flat waters at the Kuah Harbour, as well as strong wind conditions with choppy waters in Coastal areas. All participants can look forward to a challenging and fascinating sailing experience,” Zailani added. RLIR 2012 will be preceded by a curtain-raiser, the AO CHALONG - LANGKAWI ‘CHAMPAGNE RUN’, inviting “Expression of Interest” from all yacht enthusiasts. The overnight sailing race will kick off on 7th January 2012 from Ao Chalong Yacht Club (ACYC), Ao Chalong Bay in Phuket, Thailand and officially ends at Telaga Habour in Langkawi. Special promotional packages for early bird registrations are offered, where an entry fee of RM550 per team, inclusive of skipper will be charged for teams that register and make full payments before 30th November 2011. There will be also an additional RM100 fee for each additional crew member. Once the promotion ends, a fee of RM200 will be charged for each additional crew member. The fees will cover the cost of berthing for eight nights at the RLYC, water and electricity and Regatta souvenirs. Teams participating in the RLIR 2012 will compete for the Prime Minister’s Challenge Trophy (for participants of internationally registered yachts), the Commodore’s Challenge Cup (for participants of club-registered cruisers), the LADA-IRC Challenge Trophy (for participants of the IRC 1 Class), the Langkawi Sports Trophy (for participants in the Sports Boat Class) and the Malaysian Multihull Challenge Cup (for participants under the Multihull category). A special award in memory of the late Founding Chairman and first Commodore of RLYC, Almarhum Tunku Tan Sri Abdullah Tuanku Abdul Tunku Abdullah Sportsmanship Award Rahman, the “Tunku Award” will be presented for the best team, both on water and land in the 2012 Regatta. RLIR 2012 is organised by the RLYC and sanctioned by the Malaysian Yachting Association (MYA – The National Authority), a member of the National Sports Council and the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Malaysia. For further information on the RLIR 2012, race schedule and entry form, kindly log on to www.langkawiregatta.com or contact En Zack at zack@langkawiyachtclub.com. For the AO CHALONG - LANGKAWI ‘CHAMPAGNE RUN’ registration, please contact Scott Duncanson at sduncanson@quantumsails.com by providing the following details: Name of vessel; Multi or Monohull; Design/Type; Owners name and Email address.

Regional

Bye, bye, Jo In late October, thirty of Jo Cooneyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s friends boarded Seraph at the Ao Chalong pier, then cruised around to Nai Harn, swapping stories and paying final homage to Jo, before dropping her ashes at sea. The Ao Chalong Yacht Club also staged Race 6 of their Irish Times race series in her honour. Jo, the former Managing Editor of this magazine, will be sorely missed by all that knew her (Photo by John Everingham).

Asap

NEWS 19

Regional

NEWS

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25 of

Years King’s Cups

The 25th Phuket King’s Cup Regatta attracted a record fleet of vessels, including 90 keelboats and multihulls, 38 dinghies, and 19 kiteboards. This was the largest combined fleet to set sail since the prestigious event began as over 1,000 participants from 35 nations took part. The regatta started with an awe-inspiring sail pass past to honour of His Majesty the King of Thailand on his 84th birthday. Lead by Royal Thai Navy yachts, participating ships sailed past HTMS Chonburi and two further Navy vessels south of Pu Island, saluting, or standing up, to an image of His Majesty before making their way to the start line. The sail past has become a tradition in honour of the Regatta’s Royal Patron, an award-wining sailor who won the gold medal at the 4th South East Asia Pennisular Games (now known as the SEA Games.)

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The crews raced over five days across nine classes; IRC 0, IRC1, IRC2, Premier, Bareboat Charter, Cruising Class, Modern Classic, Firefly 850 Sports, Multihull, all challenging for their respective classification honours off of Kata Beach. With strong representation from ASEAN and a growing number of sailors from China taking part, the diverse fleet of craft ranged from Olympic classes to kiteboards to the super-high tech “grand prix” racing boats This year, the King’s Cup welcomed the magnificent Swan 82, Chao Ren Plus One, skippered by Wang Bin, who competed with two more Swans in the Premier Class – Silandra V, captained by Riccardo Denoni, and Titania of Cowes crewed by a team from the Royal Thames Yacht Club. Frank Pong’s Custom Jelik II racer, also from China, competed with regatta regulars Team Premier, FreeFire and HI FI in the IRC Zero Class. Thailand’s proud sailing history was represented with a strong showing of Thai sailors and crew.

King’s Cup competitors enjoy champagne sailing conditions, the beautiful Andaman Sea backdrop, a series of exciting race locations and the famous beachfront parties. These days, Class IRC Zero is as much about a technology race as it about boat speed. Crews optimize keels, rudders, sail shapes and masts between regattas, then going out and see if the changes have produced the desired results at the next regatta. The dinghies raced over three days, from 3rd th to 5 December, and the keelboats, multihulls and kiteboards raced over five days – 5th, 6th, 7th, 9th and 10th, with Thursday 8th being a reserve day. In 2009, dinghies were re-introduced to the regatta line-up after a hiatus. This led the Organising Committee to create the Phuket Dinghy Series in 2010 – a three-event series preceding the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta which has grown and there’s now a dinghy class within the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta fleet itself. For the first time in the Cup’s history, the organizers, together with the Kiteboard Tour Asia, introduced a Kiteboard Class. This invitation-only class for 20 kiteboarders included pros from the world tour as well as a number of regional champions, including two-time Asian Champion from Thailand, Narapichit “Yo” Pudla.

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Wrap Up Protest and counter appeal hearings a over rounding the windward mark, went long into the night after the fourth day of racing, causing tempers to flair between Neil Pryde’s Hi Fi and Hannes Waimer’s Team Premier. The international jury reversed their initial decision to award Hi Fi and Freefire time and in doing so results reverted to the original posting where Team Premier held a four-point advantage going into the final day. The race committee announced early on the final morning that the racing classes would have a short windward/leeward race followed by a passage race around the islands to the SE of Phuket. A slim chance existed for Hi Fi to overtake Team Premier and win the title. Fireworks were expected at the start line and the media boats crowded in to watch the action.

The first Phuket King’s Cup took place in 1987 to mark the 60th birthday of His Majesty King Bhumibol Adulyedej, and the regatta has been held in the first week of December ever since. The Northeast tradewinds returned with a vengeance and brought a great finish to the regatta with gusts in the 25-knot range. A little too much for some as Joep Kleine Staarman’s X-342 Minx reported dismasting and taking on water, while Jon Wardill’s Cassidy 55 Australian Maid suffered a broken boom, Sam Chan’s TP52 Freefire mainsail damage, and China’s Shihai Lagoon 500 Snail collided with the gate boat and several other yachts retired from the days racing. As expected the action in the IRC Zero class started from the preparatory flag. A hard luff by Neil Pryde’s Hi Fi sent them head to wind at the boat end and pinned Hannes Waimer’s Team Premier between them and the start boat, with no where to go. A protest was hailed and red flag unfurled. No collision but some tense moments before the horn sounded. Its not often tactician Gordon McQuire gets caught offside and a quick 360 degree turn to exonerate got Team Premier off the hook. Hi Fi went on to win the race but with Team Premier in second place, Pryde’s hope of a revival was slowly slipping away. Similar starting boat action was shaping up for the second race but this time Team Premier got the upper hand and sailed away despite the calls from Hi Fi to stay up. As Team Premier held a good lead at the top mark, Hi Fi notified the race committee that they were retiring from the race which sealed the deal and Team Premier became the 2011 champion. Scoring podium places in nine out of ten races, Japan’s Yasuo Nanamori’s Summit King 40 Karasu

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were crowned the IRC 1 champions. Coming on the back of their Japan Cup victory, the crew has been sufficiently rewarded for its efforts. Steve Manning’s Sydney GTS 43 Walawala 2 and David Ross’ Ker 40 KukuKERchu set a cracking pace at the front of the very competitive fleet to finish in second and third respectively. The IRC 1 Class was arguably the most competitive of all with 13 boats and sailors of 17 different nationalities and Karasu became the first-ever all-Japanese team to win their class at the Phuket King’s Cup Regatta. Thailand scored a magnificent victory in IRC 2 Class, as Chief Petty Officer First Class Wiwat Poonpat’s team on “Royal Thai Navy 1” honoured His Majesty the King of Thailand with a clear class win. By winning the only race on the last day, Royal Thai Navy 1 won the IRC 2 class and with five regatta wins under their belt, they entered the record books with the most King’s Cup victories. Despite a determined effort Bill Bremner’s Ker 32 Foxy Lady 5 could not rattle the Navy crew and settled for second place. Enjoying the strong

This regatta is often considered the Jewel in the Crown of Asian regattas as it is the biggest and by far the best known on the International sailing scene. breeze, Arbuzov Andrey’s Russian team on Ruby Tuesday surfed into third spot and relegated Peter Dyer’s defending champion Team Kata Rock down to fourth overall. From the very beginning, Richard Dobbs Swan 68 Titania of Cowes dominated the Premier Cruising Class and by winning on the final day cemented their name firmly on the trophy. Never far behind, defending champion Peter Sorenson’s Beneteau F53 Baby Tonga Team Strongbow conceded defeat and ended up in second. The biggest boat in the fleet Wang Bin’s Swan 82 Chao Ren Plus One kicked up their heels in the strong breeze to claim second place on the final day, which elevated them to third overall. Aquacraft Asia’s Hanse 545 Odin, skippered by Rob Williams, rebounded with a win on the final day and took home the Cruising Class trophy on their first attempt. William Sax’s Fraser 41 Astraeus and Jack Cristensen’s Bavaria 49 Linda ended up tied on points, which was broken in favour of Astraeus as they won the previous day’s race.

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Five out of seven wins for Aussie Mike Crisp’s Hanse 400e Venture gave it the Bareboat Charter Class title by a country mile. Although Oliver Heer’s Beneteau 47.7 Sail Plane started with a flourish they eventually succumbed to experience and finished in second place. The battle between four Russian boats was settled when Mikhail Beloborodov’s Bavaria 45 Tonicola 2 won the only race on the final day and jumped up into third overall. Taking first on the last race saw Bo Sondergaard’s S&S 47 Patrice III retain their composure to triumph in the Modern Classic Class. Peter Wood’s Commanche 42 Windstar took second and despite crashing out in Race 3, Nicholas Smith’s Ericson 38 Freewind climbed back into third place and relegated Kevin Gillow’s S&S 30 Poco down to fourth. Covered in a cloud of spray Roger Kingdon’s Moto Inzi and Hans Rahmann’s Voodoo staged the most exciting races in the one-design Firefly 850 Sports class. Coming into the final day, Moto Inzi held a one-point lead over Voodoo. Moto Inzi triumphed in the short windward/ leeward race with Voodoo close behind. This rivalry carried on into the passage race and was only settled in the last couple of miles to the finish. One surged ahead, then the other until finally Voodoo taking the inshore line got the gust first and ripped across the line. As they shared the first and second places the points’ difference remained the same and Moto Inzi was victorious on this occasion. As the battle was taking shape in front of them Neil Ayre’s The Frog applied the pressure from behind and secured third overall. Stringing together seven wins out of nine races, Alan Carwardine’s Stealth 12.6 Sidewinder has been unstoppable this season and won the Multihull Class title on their second attempt. Never out of the top three places David Roberts Andaman Cabriolet Davinci skippered by Mick Coleman played bridesmaid again with second place. David Liddell’s defending champion Miss Saigon may have slipped of the mantle but were best of the rest with third overall. In the Kiteboard Class, an exciting exhibition event at this year’s Phuket King’s Cup Regatta, France’s Olivier Dansin won four out of five races in the Series to be the runaway winner. Thai star Narapichit Pudla, finished second overall with Turkehy’s Salih Alexander in third. Summing up, participants not only come for the racing but to enjoy Phuket, the wonderful Thai hospitality and the nightly prize giving parties that are second to none. Hats off the King’s Cup Organizing Committee for putting on such a great show.

Photography by Rolien Beute www.rolienphotography.com

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Simpson Marine shines in Thailand

As a vibrant 2011 season draws to a close in Thailand, Simpson Marine celebrates with the delivery of five Lagoon catamarans and launch parties for their new owners at the Royal Phuket Marina.

impson continued their 8-year history of active support for yachting in the Kingdom by sponsoring the superb Swan 42, which bore the Simpson Marine colours during the King’s Cup Regatta, the country’s most prominent sailing event held last December 3 to 10. If that wasn’t enough, a yacht owners Rendez Vous took place in the beautiful and pristine Andaman islands on December 16 to 17 which enabled Azimut and Lagoon owners to get together. These immensely popular events allow owners to share their yachting experiences and enjoy an amazing week-end break in convivial company. Also the PIMEX Phuket Boat show is just coming over the horizon from March

29 to April 1, where Simpson Marine will feature the latest yachts on offer from Azimut, Beneteau and Lagoon. Mike Simpson, Managing Director and Founder of Simpson Marine, commented “with its many islands and outstanding coastal scenery, Thailand offers some of the best cruising in Asia and the development of world-class marinas in Phuket and Pattaya now provides the necessary shore facilities to encourage more owners to come and visit from other parts of Asia. Simpson Marine provides service support and gardiennage, meaning owners of yachts sold by Simpson Marine anywhere in Asia can cruise and leave their yachts in Thailand under our management. We, at Simpson Marine, have been promoting this

destination and will continue to do so given the substantial potential for yachting and yacht chartering”. Simpson Marine is offering yacht buyers in Thailand the whole range of Azimut models as well as Beneteau sailing yachts and Lagoon catamarans. It caters to all needs, from performance driven customers to the more family oriented. It also provides yacht charter opportunities in some of the world’s most beautiful waters. The company now has offices in Phuket and Pattaya with yacht brokers as well as all-important service teams in the two locations.

About Simpson Marine Simpson Marine was founded in Hong Kong by Mike Simpson in 1984 and now has offices in Hong Kong, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Taiwan, Indonesia and Philippines. Representing iconic yacht brands including Azimut, Nautor’s Swan, Beneteau, Lagoon and Sea Ray, Simpson Marine provides a wide range of essential services to the yachting industry including; · New production yacht sales · New superyacht construction · Second-hand yacht brokerage sales · International and Asian chartering · Servicing, maintenance and management Please visit www.simpsonmarine.com or for more information contact:

The Phuket Simpson Marine team recently held a launching ceremony of the new Lagoon 560 at the Royal Villa private dock in Royal Phuket Marina. The ceremony began with a christening of the catamaran; fittingly French Champagne for a French boat. It was then followed by a Buddhist blessing ceremony and the traditional firecrackers. This was a nice opportunity for the proud owner to show his new purchase to his family and friends. Simpson Marine as the Lagoon catamaran dealer in the region was also proud to present the first Lagoon 560 to reach Southeast Asia.

EFG Bank Mandrake captures

ovember 2011 was the time for the 22nd edition of the Raja Muda Selangor International Regatta, that unique Asian sailing event combining overnight passage races up the west coast of Malaysia from Port Klang to Pangkor, Penang and Langkawi, with inshore racing in Penang and Langkawi. Along the way, parties are organised at each port of call, together with a trishaw racing challenge and one of the best closing dinners on the calendar at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club. Staying on the pace with the racing and the socials requires substantial reserves of stamina! Thirty-scven boats were registered for this year’s event, with Neil Pryde’s Hi Fi leading the top division and going for a third win. Also keen to take the trophy were Nick Burns/Fred Kinmonth’s Mills 40, EFG Bank Mandrake and the Royal Malaysian

Navy’s brand new DK47, Utarid, launched a month before the Raja Muda start. Other notable entrants included David Ross’s new Ker 40 KukuKERchu, Andrew Stransky’s racing catamaran Fantasia, on a cruise up from Darwin, the beautifully sleek Swan 76 Silandra V skippered by Riccardo Gastone Benoni, Aquacraft Asia’s Hanse 545e Odin, Tom Whitcraft’s GP 42 Won Ma Rang from Thailand and The Royal Selangor Yacht Club’s Youth Team on the Jeanneau 36 Panacea, skippered by Rizal Sazali. The Panacea crew are all Malaysian youngsters who started sailing in Port Klang as part of an Optimist program, and this year the club sponsored the group to move into offshore racing. This year the organisers decided to start Class 1, 3 and 4 boats at the same time for all races, so an overall IRC winner could be declared. The first race was scheduled on

Raja Muda

Saturday 18th November. RO Jerry Rollin found a space for a start line among an unusually large number of moored vessels and 6kts on the wind instrument was enough to send Class 7 away at 1150h. Then the breeze gradually built to a peak of 11kts for the combined start of IRC Classes 1, 3 and 4 around 13.00. All boats headed north on a port tack, looking to stay in towards the shore line and to pick up the predicted shift later in the day. It’s 90nm up the coast to the entrance of Pasir Bogok, but choosing the best course is very much a combination of skill and luck. The two things that complicate the first leg of the RMSIR are the tidal currents in the shallow inshore water, and the highly unpredictable and extremely local weather systems. The place you really didn’t want to be, as Hi Fi found out, was leading the fleet from an offshore rather than an inshore position, and then having to beat to the finish while the rest of

2011 the fleet reached out from the coast under spinnakers. Most unusually, Hi Fi finished last in Class 1. Second last at the back of the division was David Ross’ new Ker 40, KukuKERchu. They also didn’t go as far inshore as other boats. Ben Copely in Katsu took the opposite approach, venturing inshore till the depth sounder read 0.9 meter under the keel - and then just stopped! It seemed that the boats depth instrument was incorrectly set; an error that cost them about an hour on the mud. First place in Class 1 for Race 1 went to Fred Kinmonth/Nick Burns’ Mills 40, EFG Bank Mandrake, with a remarkable performance from the Royal Malaysian Navy’s brand new DK47, Utarid to take second. Probably the most notable accomplishment came in Class 6, where top honours went to Richard Curtis/ Trevor Richard’s Bristol Pilot Cutter Eveline, despite crossing the finish line last in the race fleet. This is a rare occurrence, despite the 100-

The Raja Muda combines overnight passage races up the west coast of Malaysia.

EFG Bank Mandrake scooped the Raja Muda Cup with 10 points for seven races.

year-old Eveline’s almost permanent place in the RMSIR entry list. Following the first party and prize giving at Seaview Hotel Pangkor Island, where sailors were entertained by daring fire dancers, conditions were glassy calm the next morning when racing was scheduled to start. RO Jerry Rollins lead the fleet up the course for almost 10 miles before finding about 6 knts of breeze to send the divisions away under sunny skies on a reaching course towards Penang, now 50nm distant. This time Hi Fi – keen to avenge the result of the first race – sailed a perfect course in to claim both line honours and a first place on handicap by 25 seconds from EFG Bank Mandrake. Neil Ankorn’s Farr 11.04 Mat Salleh suffered a jammed halyard and had a crewmember up the mast in the middle of the night, eventually finishing second in Class Four behind Jeff Harris’s J 92S Nijinsky.

Crossing the finish line at the south end of Penang, boats still had a 20nm trip to the new Straits Quay, where Marina Manager John Ferguson found space for 30-something boats in a 40-berth marine that already has sitting tenants. After a day ashore, crews reassembled at Straits Quay in the late afternoon for the inaugural Rickshaw Races, updated replacement for the Trishaw Races that used to take place at Tanjung City Marina. Specially constructed rickshaws raced knockout heats around a starboard-hand course, following the usual consumption of liquid by each passenger at the start. Egged on by crew members and locals alike, the Team Hi Fi rickshaw came home as winner after a fiercely tactical final. Won Ma Rang Competition in Penang Harbour the next day was once again delayed by lack of breeze. However, the wind gods

favoured the fleet after about an hour with light zephyrs at 3-4 kts and racing got underway, with four class seven multihulls swelling the numbers. All classes had a light air first race with a shortened course at the windward mark. But between races, a few drops of rain fell then the wind came back with a vengeance- a good solid 15kts from the northeast. Once again Classes 1, 3 and 4 all came to the line together, and Hi Fi was definitely looking to make up some of the points hangover from her disastrous first race from Port Klang to Pangkor. However, this time EFG Bank Mandrake hung on for a Class 1 win in the blustery conditions by 67 seconds corrected. Other notable performances on the race course came from Tom Whitcraft’s Won Ma Rang, getting herself on the podium for the first time; some more good sailing from the Royal Malaysian Navy’s new DK47, Utarid;

and the sight of Bill Bremner’s Foxy Lady 5 sailing straight through the lee of David Ross’s new KukuKERchu (Ker 40) in the second race of the day. Andrew Stransky on Fantasia was glad to have some competition at last, but Alan Carwardine’s catamaran Sidewinder lead everyone in the multihull division to immediately go to the top of the Class. Everyone was back at Straits Quay again in good time for the evening’s party at the picturesque Khoo Kongsi. Quite possibly this may be the most spectacular regatta party venue in Asia. The aerial Lion Dance was fantastic, the street hawker food stalls kept everyone well fed, and the rain didn’t matter! The Raja Muda can claim some consistency – no wind at the start! Once again it was necessary to motor away from Penang Harbour before a light breeze toyed with the boats and the RO could consider getting

Just outside Penang, Hi Fi hit Nijinsky on her stern quarter.

everyone away to a slow spinnaker start, with heavier boats stalling on the line. 2011 proved to not to be Hi Fi’s year for Raja Muda. During pre start manoeuvres her helmsman made a fast gybe onto port to approach the line without realizing that the J 92S Nijinsky was in his “blind spot.” Hi Fi hit Nijinsky on her stern quarter, snapping the bow sprit off the Welbourne 52 and taking out Nijinsky’s pushpit and safety lines. Fortunately, there were no injuries. Hi Fi later retired from the regatta to arrange for repairs. Up the race course the wind filled in steadily and then took the predicted swing to the north east and blew a hoolie. The first racing crew into the bar at the Royal Langkawi Yacht Club was from the catamaran Sidewinder, reporting a top wind speed of 30kts and boat speed in excess of 23kts. Elapsed time: 5h 01m. Next in for refresh-

ments was David Liddell’s Corsair C37, Miss Saigon. They went from using a spinnaker at the start to finish with the much smaller jib top rigged, and recorded 19 kts at times. First multihull to finish, win her division, and claim line honours for the whole fleet in just 4h 46m, was Andrew Stransky’s Fantasia. They came across the finish line in a cloud of spray with one hull flying. Everyone had a great ride, with the heavier cruising boats making the most of a good blow. The only exception was probably Eveline who broke a shroud and finished the trip under engine shortly before midnight. Langkawi Harbour racing bucked the wind trend by starting and finishing in 16kts of nor’easterly, with two windward/leeward courses for the IRC racing classes and another trip through the fringes of the Langkawi Geopark for the cruising classes.

In the final countdown, EFG Bank Mandrake scooped the Raja Muda Cup with 10 points for seven races, a handy margin ahead of the Royal Malaysian Navy’s brand new DK47, Utarid, on 22 points. The Navy crew did a great job to get the boat up to the pace is such a short time. After a disappointing start to the series, David Ross’s Ker 40 KukuKERchu came good in the points count at the end to take the third place overall on the podium. Foxy Lady 5 touched the windward mark on the very last rounding in Langkawi, did the turns, and as a result lost the race by just six seconds. That put them tied on points with Sarab Jeet Singh’s Windsikher who took the Class 3 title on countback. Neil Ankcorn’s Mat Salleh narrowly took two first places on the last day and put the Class 4 title in the bag. As always, fun was had by all at the

closing party at RLYC. The Regatta Management team of the Royal Selangor Yacht Club, headed by Malcolm Elliott, the Race Officer and his assistants, and all the other support personnel responsible are to be congratulated for successfully running an event in four successive locations. At prize giving time Fred Kinmonth, co-owner of EFG Bank Mandrake, was very generous in his praise of what he called “Asia’s very best regatta. We’ve competed in this event 19 times, and would not miss it for the world. This is the one you have to do.” Nobody present was going to argue with that! Results are available on the web site www.rmsir.com Photography by Guy Nowell www.guynowell.com

ast Timor By Captain Shane Granger

A small piece of uncomplicated paradise right on the route from Australia to Indonesiaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s most scenic islands.

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SEA Yachting’s newest and friendliest sailing destination

he Dili harbor entrance is about as easy as they come. Just line up on the entrance and stay between the working red and green markers. Be sure to stay in the channel, as there are reefs on either side. There is a range of blinking red lights located on rather small towers one in front and the other on the roof of the white government buildings at the bottom of the harbor they will align at 132 degrees True keeping you in the deep water channel. They blink together at night, but are difficult to make out against the lights of the town if you do not know what to look for.

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Once inside the harbour there is deep water right up to the sea wall. The best anchorage is in about 15 metres with fair holding on a muddy bottom. Watch out for the two yellow can markers they mark the limits of a reef that dries at low tide. Any strong winds come from the east so set your anchor accordingly. It’s usually calm in the mornings and at night. If it is going to blow it usually starts about 11-12am and lasts until about 4-5pm. It is a good idea to make sure someone is on board in case it does blow, as the holding ground is not the best. Do try to avoid anchoring too close to the “Esplanade” wall as the children are great

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Dinghy landing beach in front of Casa Europa.

swimmers and also curious, so too close in and your boat becomes the new game to swim to. Most of the children are friendly and mean no harm, but one never knows so best not to allow them on board. Easy in and easy out applies not only to the port itself, but also to the friendly officials. There are no cruising permits or other complicated formalities to enter East Timor. Checking in is easy. Fir st go by the water police located in

Just remember to always treat officials, anywhere you go, with the same respect and consideration you would those in your home country. Being rude is never a good way to make friends or impress people whose good will you need. the small white building at the foot of the long white metal ramp to say hello and that you have arrived. Then walk around to the port and ask for the immigration office, you will find them on the first floor of the building with the pointed roofs. The young man we met was very friendly and we spent more time talking football than

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papers. He issues visas and stamps the passports. The port captain’s office is in the same building on the ground floor. The next building is Customs and that’s it. A one-month visa is available on arrival with no problems. The cost is US$30 and it can be extended for almost any valid reason. The people and officials of East Timor are happy to have friendly visitors in their country and try to make it easy for you to visit. Just remember to always treat officials, anywhere you go, with the same respect and consideration you would those in your home country. Being rude is never a good way to make friends or impress people whose good will you need. There are taxis everywhere in Dili, but you will need to barter over prices. Most taxi drivers will try a higher price first, just to see if this is their lucky day, but quickly accept the “local” rate if you insist. Two dollars is the average rate to most places around the town. Try “One More Bar” located be side the park along the seafront road going east. Look for the well-lit second floor terrace. The food is good and Aussie’s will feel right at home, they even have “Roo” burgers - sometimes. Going the other way from the port there is the Castaways Bar & Restau rant just past the lighthouse. Located above the PADI dive centre with a cool sea breeze and good reasonably priced food this is a favorite watering hole for the local expat community. If you enjoy diving ask for Compass Charters then ask for Craig Dunkan. One delightful discovery is the variety of products from the world over available in Dili’s super markets. Although not cheap this is one of the last stops for over a thousand miles where you can stock your favorite wines, cheeses, and

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Christo Rey and view to Aturo island. (images by Tim Stats)

salami’s, Aussie XXXX beer, real French mustard, Dutch cheeses, Canadian maple syrup, German pickles and sausages. We found more “goodies” in Dili than in Singapore. There is also a wide assortment of fresh vegetables avail able in the local markets. East Timor is famous for coffee so be sure to stock up on that vital staple before heading north. You really should visit the Statue of Jesus on the mountain overlooking the harbor. It not only makes an enjoyable afternoon off the boat, but also takes you by all the mouthwatering restraints along the beach perfect for a sundowner on your return and then a long leisurely dinner under the stars. The local currency is the US dollar. Aussie Dollars and Euro are also accepted at the banks and most banks have ATM machines to access money from your credit card. It is not a good idea to make change on the streets as the banks give you an honest rate. We did find that the rate for Singapore dollars was not very good so if you are coming from there be sure to bring US dollars with you. Fuel was US$1.30 a liter this past summer and must be carried in jerry cans from the beach. The dinghy landing, just behind Casa Europa, leaves a bit to be desired, but there are several moorings where you can put a running line to haul the little one in and out as needed. We usually leave our dinghy at the marine police post, by the white broken down pier. They are very friendly and have a good ramp that makes for easier access. If you need any mechanical or electrical repairs go along to A1 Services on the next street in from the waterfront going east. If they can’t fix what you need I doubt anyone else can. Ask for

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Lee, a rather mad Aussie (show me one that isn’t) who is a whiz on engines and great company to enjoy a Sundowner with. Their machinist Zaki is a real artist who took one look at our generator water pump headache – we have been trying to get that fixed for over two years now - and half an hour later had it fixed to last a life time. Security in the town is no different or better than any other place we have been. I would almost be willing to bet you are just as safe in Dili as New York, Paris, or Darwin. That said it is always wise to play it safe and avoid wondering off the main streets after dark. As interesting as Dili is the real beauty of East Timor starts when you leave Dili. The scenery inland is nothing short of spectacular. We always found the rural people to be open and very friendly. There are several lovely, and inexpensive, inland tours you can take as well as

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Fish sold at the Dili Esplanade. (image by Tim Stats)

visits to the more isolated mountain communities. Just remember it does get cold up in the mountains at night so take a jumper and long pants. One of our favorite places is the Bakhita center in Ermera district. The rural villages can be poor beyond belief. Villages build schools with local materials and staff them with local volunteers, but have almost no basic educational materials. Taking a selection of pencils, pens, erasers, and

The real beauty of East Timor starts when you leave Dili for the mountains. The scenery inland is nothing short of spectacular exercise books along with any other basic educational materials for these schools will be a great help to the community and a wonderful way to make new friends who will take great pride in introducing you to their community. Educational materials are smaller for stowing on board and valued much more than old clothes by these communities. Always make sure you deliver your donation directly to the village teacher rather than 3rd parties who might forget to pass them on.

If you are planning a trip to East Timor, or the small islands of eastern Indonesia, and would like to combine it with your own mission of mercy contact Vega through our website at www.sailvega.com. We have years of experience delivering educational and medical supplies to these isolated communities and will be more than happy to advise you on what to take and even who to deliver it to. We can also recommend some wonderful out of the way islands to stop over at, advise on the anchorages, and even suggest people to meet.

Madede village school, Ermera District.

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Capricorn is equipped for snorkelling, fishing, kayaking, BBQâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s, donut-rings, and banana floats to

Welcome aboard

Capricorn E

njoy a private luxury charter aboard Capricorn, the newest traditional wooden sailing yacht chartering Phuket’s waters, the Andaman Sea and beyond. Built in 2009, this Gulet is lavishly finished. The soft furnishings, artwork and accessories throughout have been decorated with an Asian flair to suit the theme of this beautifully decorated yacht. Thai silks and art provide tasteful splashes of colour to the interior décor. Beautifully handcrafted in mahogany and immaculately maintained Capricorn offers you a unique opportunity to explore the fascinating Phuket archipelagos – and beyond, to Malaysia, Burma and the Andamans – in total privacy, far from the tourist beaches. Fully crewed with an experienced captain and Thai gourmet chef, cabin staff, and leisure facilities Capricorn is an extremely spacious and well-appointed charter yacht providing accommodation for up to 12 guests in 5 en-suite cabins. All the cabins have individual air-con controls, 220V power sockets, and drawers. Each cabin has its own en-suite bathroom complete with shower, electric toilet and 220V power socket. Guests can also enjoy relaxing in the airconditioned saloon with its plush seating with its large picture windows and folding large LCD screen TV. On the aft deck, under the cool shade of an awning, meals are served al fresco around the dining table that seats 12 guests. There is a massive cushioned seating area right in the stern if you wish to relax out of the sun, with 12 sun beds and various seating areas on deck if you want to improve your tan. The seating area in the bow is a delightful place for evening drinks. With almost 190m2 of deck space on the Gulet you can always find privacy away from your fellow guests when you need a little peace, and at all times the warm seas are just a step or dive away. Capricorn is equipped for snorkelling, fishing, kayaking, BBQ’s, donut-rings, and banana floats to tow.

Capricornâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s History Capricorn was built in Bodrum, Turkey and acquired by a group of friend from Brussels, Belgium, last year. The traditional silhouette of this wooden ketch inspired their imagination for adventure and tropical sailing. Having purchased villas in Phuket, they decided to bring the boat to Thailand and decided to offer yacht charters with villa-stay holiday packages. Being adventurous and wanting to avoid the high price of shipping, they choose to sail to Phuket across the Red Sea and Indian Ocean, which was quite an endeavour for a gulet. What started as a romantic passage of the Suez Canal, dreaming of Hercule Poirot and Agatha Christie, became a real adventure in Eritrea and turned into a nightmare when they reached the Southern Red Sea. From bargaining their whole stock of diesel available in the Assab Harbor, Eritrea, to negotiating a naval escort with the French Navy in Djibouti they and ending up with a real pirate attack south of Yemen, Capricorn had a movielike passage to Asia. But Capricorn was born under a lucky star and made it to Phuket, but not without a few bullets in its roof. After an in-depth refitting and

a proper registration under a Thai flag, the boat is now available for yacht chart fulfilling the dream of its owners and proving that even the most improbable project are worth following. Her first outing in the Andaman Sea was attending the Kingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Cup Regatta as a visitor. Capricorn invited a few friends and VIPs to look at the race from the comfort of its vast and comfortable deck and saloon. Bangornrat Shinaprayoon, director of the Phuket TAT office, joined the party with all her staff. It was a unique opportunity to discover the world of yachting at sea, after her visit to the Monaco International Boat show in September. This truly demonstrates the commitment of TAT in supporting the yachting industry in Thailand. Also present in the outing were: Josef H. Raess, director/owner of the Phuket Paradise Hotel (far left photo below); Mr Sergey Nesterenko, developer of the SeaViewVillas at Naithon Beach (second from end, far left); Mr Guillaume Chaillot, Manager of the Royal Phuket Marina and his wife (middle wearing white and blue); and members of the Phuket press corps.

Technical Specifications Type

Gulet

build

Bodrum

L.O.A

28m - 92 ft

Beam

7.2m - 23.6 ft

Draft

2.5m - 8.2 ft Generator

2 x 24 kw

Engine

2 x 300 hp

Total sail area

524 m2

Electricity

24 220v

air con

individual

Accommodation Double bed cabin 2

Twin bed cabin

2 +1 triple

Shower

Toilets

yes

Bed linen

yes

Bath towels

yes

Yacht Equipment Anchors

SWindlass

Electric

Depth

Sounder

GPS chart plotter yes

Autopilot

yes

Wind instruments yes

VHF radio

HI-FI

Stereo

Dinghy

Outboard

30 hp

Prices & conditions Full Boat Charter Price 2011-12 Sept 11 - April 121

Dec to 07 January

3,500 Euro per day

4,200 euro per day

Price includes

Price does not include

Private use of the yacht All meals, soft drinks Fuel for an average 4 hours cruising per day Fuel for the generator and tender Snorkeling and other onboard equipment

land transfers Alcohol,beer land excursions national park fees

Contact Info Vincent Tabuteau, Asia Marine Managing Director vincent@asia-marine.net Thailand Mobile: +66(0)81 827 60 75 Europe Mobile + 33 6 37 83 07 27 Skype: vincenttabuteau http://www.youtube.com/user/asiamarinephuket Based Phuket Yacht Haven Marina Managed by Asia Marine (charter@asia-marine.net - 076 239 111)

A New Load

By Colin Yeo

of Timber

Lumber from Sabah being used to form the hull of Zhang He’s Treaure Boat.

ast October, a new load of timber arrived in the Nanjing shipyard where Admiral Zheng He’s Dragon Treasure Boat is being re-constructed. The engineers and craftsmen had been eagerly anticipating this fresh shipment of timber ever since they were loaded onto a sea container from Sabah in Malaysia. Mr TJ Jia, the deputy manager of the shipyard said, “Procuring timber from Malaysia is a real challenge. In building this wooden boat to the dimensions specified, we have to be very meticulous in selecting the right hardwood species, maturity, appropriate curvatures and lengths.” That would seem to be pretty common criteria until one sees the pictures of this world’s largest wooden boat. In keeping to the original design of this historic boat, each of the “ribs” of the hull must be hewed

from one solid piece and minimal splicing or joining allowed. And each rib stands 6 to 7 meters tall from tip to tip with a curved angle of approximately 25 degrees. That is a big trunk! Mr Jia adds “The ribs are the fundamental components of the boat skeleton; like the human ribcage, they have to be strong enough to provide support to the “skin” of the boat, strong enough to withstand the pounding waves and strong enough to support the planks that form the deck of the boat. Finding logs of this size with the natural curvature means we have to go through a lot of logs (or trees) until we find the right gems.” Indeed, this challenge has been echoed by the timber companies in Malaysia. Under normal conditions, trees tend to grow upright and tall. So to find such naturally curved logs, men have

The Admiral’s Nests

The fiercely protected birds' nets in their hongs (caves) in Phang Na Bay.

Men had to scour deep into the forests and under remote mountain cliffs to find the rightshaped timber.

to scour deep into the forests and under remote mountain cliffs where the trees competing for sunlight and space, have by necessity varying trunk shapes. Then these felled trees have to be dragged to the nearest dirt road before they can be transported to the docks. Whenever it rains, work stops as the terrain becomes almost impassable. And despite it all, the Nanjing craftsmen typically reject 15-20% of the received timber as it does not meet their standards. To date, the consistent availability of good timber has been the pace-setter in the boat building progress. Once the ribs are completed, the timber for the cladding and the decks will not be as challenging to set in place as the planks required are mostly flat. Still, the rigorous selection criteria, the careful attention to detail and the demands of “getting it right the first time” may yet spring surprises. In building this seaworthy boat, nothing can be left to chance. When the boat is completed, there is simply no easy way to strip defective structural portions for redo. It has to pass sailing tests the very first time. Dato Michael Loh, the Chairman and CEO of the group that owns this project has this to say “I am proud that, despite the difficulties, the craftsmen have achieved yet another milestone. I applaud their dedication and uncompromising attitude towards quality. They will be the first in the modern world to construct a wooden boat of these dimensions and the boat will be the first in the modern world to sail in the Great Admiral’s footsteps. What a spectacle it will be.”

It is said that Admiral Zheng He in one of his travels encountered a severe storm at sea and had to seek refuge on an island in Malaysia. Running low on food, he and his crew foraged and chanced upon bird nests that looked different from the usual straw, twigs and leaves. Almost translucent, with few discarded feathers and shaped like a half shell; these nests were cooked and eaten by the hungry Admiral and his men. Several days later, the Admiral observed that the men seemed to have increased vigour. In keeping with his practice of bringing back interesting artifacts, produce and flora/fauna to China, Zheng He brought some bird’s nests to the Emperor. Since then, the Chinese have viewed the swift birds’ nests as a delicacy, as a nutritional supplement for many ailments and perhaps even as an aphrodisiac. These nests, which hitherto have been consumed only by the rich overseas Chinese (Hong Kong, Taiwan, Singapore, USA), are now readily affordable by the increasing affluent Chinese in China. The worldwide market today (processed and raw) is estimated to be close to a US$ 1billion. Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia are the top three producers and other ASEAN countries and even India are hopping onto this wagon. In Malaysia alone, it is estimated there are 50,000 premises or “swiftlet homes”, many of which are purposely built multi-storey buildings or converted residential houses. As swiftlets cannot be domesticated or farmed, they choose where they want to roost so owners create ambience, pipe in bird music and utilize all sorts of paraphernalia to entice the birds. Thailand probably has more of such birdhouses so the next time you pass by one of these houses, please keep your voices down and respect that the birds are hard at work. With each kilo fetching around US$1,000, this business is lucrative enough to keep generations of Chinese around the world feted on its nourishing properties. Little did the Admiral know that his chance discovery of an edible nest would result in a population explosion of swiftlets. It must take millions and millions of birds to produce the estimated 500 tons of nests annually. What a load of saliva! And the biggest bird’s nest in the world is in Beijing, the National Stadium, finished just in time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Simpson (Brokerage)

Foxy Lady – Truth, Western Yachtsmen in Imagine the handsome son of your next door neighbor, venturing off on the yachting voyage of a lifetime, dashing off postcards from across Southeast Asia, and then vanishing. In response to his family’s frantic search, his government investigates, discovers the young man got sucked into the vortex of genocidal murder, and then drops the case. News outlets briefly report, and then abandon the story. History forgets. This is the tale of nine Western yachtsmen – four Americans, two Aussies, a Kiwi, a Brit and a Canadian – killed in 1978 by Cambodia’s ultra-Maoist Khmer Rouge regime. Canadian investigative journalist Dave Kattenburg tells the story for the first time in book form (The Key Publishing, Toronto, 2011). Here are some excerpts:

Stuart Glass with puppies before voyage.

recisely when and from whom Stuart Glass and Kerry Hamill bought Foxy Lady is unknown—at least to this author. They may have purchased her from an American named “Art,” who had procured her in Malaysia, sailed her down to Bali, Dili, and Darwin, and then up to Dili again. Darwin yachtsman Rod Montgomery recalls encountering a “very tender yacht” called Foxy Lady, shortly after arriving in Benoa Harbour, in Bali, on Christmas Day 1974—the same day Cyclone Tracy devastated Darwin. She was a twenty-five or twenty-six-foot “double-ender,” painted dark green or black. Her skipper, a “Captain Thomas,” had sailed her “extensively” around Borneo. Foxy Lady had a special keel that Captain Thomas would remove in order to venture up rivers. Montgomery recalls little else about “Captain Thomas.” He had spent “lots of time” in Alaska, and may well have been an American. Robin Davy, another long-time Darwin resident and yachtsman, recalls encountering a boat called Foxy Lady in Dili harbour in late

Memory & the Death of Democratic Kampuchea January 1975, but her hull was painted white, with blue trim at this point. Davy had arrived in Dili on a seventy-foot schooner called Derwent Hunter, together with a group of friends who’d come to build a boat called Siola Tau. The little yacht Davy came across in Dili harbour had its anchor jammed in coral. Davy had diving gear and helped the man extricate it. He recalls the boat, alternatively, as a “proper little sailboat of ethnic origin,” “a Malaysian-type boat,” and “a bit native-looking.” “I know it was Foxy Lady alright,” says Davy, “and I know the guy was American and I know I retrieved an anchor for him in Dili. It was definitely Foxy Lady. I rather liked the name.” Henning Hintze—a crewmate of Robin Davy’s on Derwent Hunter—also recalls seeing Foxy Lady in Dili harbour. Henning had spotted an advertisement for a converted Malaysian prau that was on sale in Dili, and decided to check her out, together with a friend named John Gilbert. Henning arrived in Dili on June 9, 1975. Foxy Lady’s owner, a “short, speedy blond” American named Art, had bought the boat at a Malaysian yacht club, and had spent the next eighteen months, together with his Australian girlfriend Jan, sailing her down through Indonesia to Darwin, then back up to Dili again. Henning helped Art and Jan move Foxy Lady to the water from a cradle on the beach in front of the Hotel Turismo. At some point the boat fell to the ground, Art hurt his hand and the concrete or metal keel bolted to Foxy Lady’s hull got bent. While Art went to the hospital to have his hand treated, Henning and Jan spent hours bailing water out of the boat. Like Robin Davy, Henning recalls that Foxy Lady was painted white, with blue trim. A leaky hull and bent keel weren’t Foxy Lady’s only problems. Henning asked his friend John Gilbert to take the boat for a sail, which Gilbert did, north of Dili and around the island of Atauro. Gilbert recommended to Henning that he not buy the boat, and Henning returned to Darwin on June 23. Some time prior to Indonesia’s invasion of East Timor, Art and Jan sailed Foxy Lady back to Darwin (she obviously sailed fine). Over the following months, they likely took her around

Darwin harbour, or up Sadgroves Creek from Frances Bay. Henning Hintze’s partner, Jan, recalls visiting Foxy Lady in the mangroves on the west side of Frances Bay. She may have been moored at a marina owned by a Canadian named George, but George denies any knowledge of the boat. He wasn’t in operation in Darwin at the time, he says—to the surprise of those who thought he was. RRR Stuart and Kerry likely bought Foxy Lady in April or early May 1977, possibly from Art the American. Although Sue had far more sailing experience than Stuart (Stuart had none), he wouldn’t allow her anywhere near the boat—a position of Stuart’s, not Kerry’s, Sue points out. Stuart was bitter at the way their reunion had evolved. He kept Sue’s ginger kitten, and even suggested she hand over the motorbike he and Kerry had gotten her, but Kerry quashed the idea. The bike was Sue’s, Kerry insisted.

Perhaps—with John’s photoscoop idea in mind—they set off across the Gulf of Thailand in an easygoing, we’ll-see-wherewe-end-up sort of way, thinking.

In late May or June 1977, the Rapid Creek house finally disbanded. Susan “ran away to sea” for three weeks on a prawn trawler called Ocean Pearl. Back in Darwin, she moved into a ground floor apartment with a young man named Glenn, from New South Wales, and a slender, blonde-haired Australian woman named Gail Colley, who would become or already was Kerry Hamill’s girlfriend. Gail was quiet and pleasant, Sue recalls, tending a few herbs and keeping to herself. Sue and Glenn found work selling beaten copper pictures door-to-door, and at a surfcat rental shop. By this point, Stuart and Kerry were spending most of their time on Foxy Lady, together with Gail and a pair of cats. One day, while Foxy Lady was anchored in Frances Bay, on the sheltered east side of the Darwin peninsula, local yachtsmen Nick Burningham and Dan Dwyer hopped in a dinghy and went out to see them. Nick and Dan had been working on the hull of Dan’s own Malay-built boat, Sri Jumbuk—up on “the hard” on Frances Bay’s Dinah Beach—and were intrigued by Stu and Kerry’s yacht. Dan discussed navigation with one of the two (it could only have been Kerry), and perhaps the use of a medium wavelength transistor radio for “back-bearing” on Darwin, described by Nick as a “sloppy but practical way of navigating from Darwin to Rote Strait to pass south of Timor.” Several weeks later, sometime in May, perhaps, Nick and Dan had a second look at Foxy Lady, this time on Fannie Bay beach. Fannie Bay—tucked into the western side of a headland dipping south from the tip of Darwin peninsula—is Darwin’s safest and least mosquito-ravaged anchorage once the southeast trade winds start blowing in May. Stuart and Kerry had apparently pulled the little yacht up to be caulked and anti-fouled. Down the beach, Burningham was helping a New Zealander named David to refit an Indonesian perahu for a voyage to Bali and back. At some point, Burningham bicycled over to see what Foxy Lady looked like on dry land. “I distinctly remember going from Siola Tau in the late afternoon,” says Burningham. Dan Dwyer was apparently with Nick at the time, and noticed that Foxy Lady had a concrete or steel keel. “I think the keel had a slight angle to the port of vertical,” Dwyer recalls (as it might have, if the little yacht had fallen hard from its cradle onto a Dili beach a year earlier). It would have been “structurally suspect,” Dwyer adds, because the hulls of traditional wooden double-enders are not designed to bear such weight. A

concrete keel would also have complicated the task of navigating reefs and anchorages, and caused Foxy Lady to leak more than normal. Burningham has yet another vague memory of seeing Kerry and Stuart on Fannie Bay beach. An acquaintance of his—accompanied by a pair of men known locally for selling pot—was speaking with the two. . “It was a minor drug dealers convention,” says Burningham. Stu, Kerry and Gail were all there, he recalls. Gail was somewhat aloof, or shy, sitting on Foxy Lady’s deck. “I remember someone lit a fire on the beach.” There’s nothing vague about Nick Burningham’s memories of Foxy Lady herself. Having sailed traditional boats on various oceans and published articles in peer-reviewed nautical journals, Burningham is an authority on traditional Southeast Asian watercraft. “She was Malay, rather than Indonesian built, as I remember her,” Burningham says, in response to accounts of Foxy Lady as a traditional Indonesian prau or a junk. She was neither. “Foxy Lady is easily recognisable as a perahu bedar, a very small perahu bedar from Kuala Terengganu; a standard bedar that was altered, given a cabin, accommodation, and external ballast—a bit of steel added to the bottom of the keel, salvaged from some kind of earth-moving equipment; perhaps the blade of a dozer … It is possible that she was built somewhere other than Pulau Duyong, Kuala Terengganu, but the majority certainly were built there and bedar from other places generally had less sheer. Foxy Lady shows the strong sheer (curve upwards towards the ends) that I associate with Kuala Terengganu bedar.” Pulau Duyong is a small island of mud and silt in the mouth of the Terengganu River, beside the town of Kuala Terengganu, in eastern Malaysia. Its reputation as a seat of religious learning centers around the great scholar Tok Syeikh Duyong, who studied, taught and translated Arabic texts into Malay there, passing away on the little island in 1889. Pulau Duyong is also known for its traditional boatbuilders, whose curvaceous, doubleended bedars were traditionally used to haul ballast, salt, and other commodities back and forth between Malaysia, Vietnam, and the northern Gulf of Thailand. Pulau Duyong boatbuilders drew upon Arab and European techniques, building hulls and decks from a local hardwood named chengal. A single chengal tree served as a mast. Chengal planks would be seasoned for a year prior to hull construction, and then bent and fitted with the aid of small fires, after sealing them with paper bark that tightened as water-exposed planks

Foxy Lady.

swelled. A Pulau Duyong bedar drew little water, enabling it to squeeze over Kuala Terengganu’s protective sand bar. If Stuart and Kerry had spent more time with Darwin yachtsmen like Nick Burningham and Dan Dwyer, they might have learned more about Foxy Lady’s origin and design. There were two other Terengganu boats floating in Darwin waters or sitting on beaches in late 1976/early 1977, plus a couple of other Southeast Asian-style vessels. Ted Whittaker’s Singa Betina was undergoing cyclone damage repair off Dinah Beach at the time. Penelope, owned by a guy named “Cabbage” and his partner, sat upstream of Dinah Beach, in front of a now vanished prawn factory. Jamie Munro was repairing his own Indonesian boat, several hundred meters downstream of Dinah Beach. Given the proximity of all these kindred yachts and the affability of their crew, it’s not clear why Stuart and Kerry didn’t strike up connections, if for no other reason than to exchange rig and materials in the course of fixing up Foxy Lady. Burningham thinks the little bedar was refitted with Western-style Bermudan rig before Stuart and Kerry bought her (from Art?) – and with that external ballast keel of cement or steel, in order to compensate for the height of the new mast. The photo of Foxy Lady on the cover of this book shows her shrouds and lower forestay lengthened with chain, suggesting to Burningham that the new mast had originally been mounted on a deck. When stepped on the roof of Foxy Lady’s deckhouse, standing rigging wasn’t quite long enough. “I feel that we ought to have been well aware of the refitting if it were happening there,” Burningham muses. “If Stu and Kerry had removed an original

bedar battened lugsail rig, elements of that rig, including sails and mast, would have been bought, or otherwise acquired, by someone engaged in some project restoring some other vessel. A spare mast would have been well known and might have ended up on Sri Jumbuk. Any unwanted sails might have been re-cut for Siola Tau.” And yet, with the exception of Burningham and Dwyer, none of Darwin’s surviving yachtsmen from that period have any clear recollection of Stuart, Kerry or their little bedar Foxy Lady. Clearly, Stu and Kerry were keeping to themselves. RRR Christine Rohani-Longuet was the last friend of Stuart Glass, Kerry Hamill, and John Dewhirst to see them alive. She was the only person who knew that Foxy Lady was heading towards Bangkok. Everyone else—family, friends, and authorities alike—had been told a different story. In April, Kerry had applied to Indonesian authorities to sail, sometime between April and October 1978, from Singapore to the Solomon Islands, in the western Pacific. Kerry had told Neil, in Penang, that Foxy Lady would be heading to Singapore and from there back to Australia. Stuart had written to Vera that Foxy Lady would be embarking in a completely opposition direction—toward Sri Lanka. John Dewhirst had written the same thing to his sister Hilary. No wonder everyone thought—and many continue to write—that Foxy Lady was blown off course in a storm! Knowing Stuart, Kerry, and John were heading up to Bangkok, the question is why they ended up in Cambodian waters. Perhaps—with John’s photo-scoop idea in

Part of Kerry Hamill's confession.

“Navigation was not often a strong suit among the young and restless who took to small boats in Southeast Asia in the seventies.”

mind—they set off across the Gulf of Thailand in an easygoing, we’ll-see-where-we-end-up sort of way, thinking … What the heck, why not just slip briefly into Kampuchean waters for a quick look and a bunch of quick shots? Democratic Kampuchea’s fierce declaration of sovereignty over waters two hundred miles from shore, seven months earlier, was something the three young adventurers likely knew nothing about. The perils of peaceful navigation south of Koh Chang and Koh Kut, in Thai waters—not to mention south of Koh Tang, due south of the Khmer Rouge heartland—would surely have been beyond their awareness, unless they had consulted with consular or maritime authorities, which they certainly didn’t. The consensus among those familiar with smuggling strategies—those who argue that there would have been no reason to enter the Gulf of Thailand to begin with, if not to pick up a load of Thai sticks—is that Kerry and Stuart were intentionally keeping their route secret. Head straight north into the Gulf, the strategy goes, avoiding the coast of peninsular Malaysia and Thailand, where patrol vessels hang out. Whether or not Stuart and Kerry were on a smuggling mission, Foxy Lady clearly headed out to sea, rather than through protected, near-shore waters. At this point, sloppy navigation may have taken over. Rob Hamill recalls his brother Kerry writing in a letter that he and Stuart only had “general road maps.” To make matters more complex, Kerry was navigating by dead reckoning—the process of establishing a position at sea based on a previously determined position, and on estimations of speed and elapsed time, with the aid of a sextant. Dan Dwyer, in Darwin, recalls talking with Kerry about “backbearing”—the use of shore radio signals to determine location. Neither this nor dead reckoning are precise enough to confidently avoid hazardous locations. A variety of situations could have easily confounded navigation—cloudy skies; currents; dozing off at the wheel for five minutes. Perhaps Foxy Lady got caught in a storm and was blown off course, as Kerry’s brother suggests. Nick Burningham is skeptical. Monsoon winds in the Gulf of Thailand are past their peak in August, Burningham says, and currents are virtually non-existent. “The south-

west monsoon can be blustery and squally, but real storms are unlikely other than squalls which don’t last very long.” Still, Burningham adds, if heading straight to Bangkok was what Stuart and Kerry had in mind, “The prudent thing would be to stay to windward of the course.” (i.e. steering in the direction of Bangkok, rather than Cambodia). Burningham suspects that imprecise navigation and ignorance of the perils of entering Kampuchean waters were the reasons why Foxy Lady ended up where she did. “It does look like sloppy planning and innocent stupidity,” he says. Nick’s friend Dan Dwyer agrees. “Navigation was not often a strong suit among the young and restless who took to small boats in Southeast Asia in the seventies, from my recollection,” says Dwyer. “A bit of local knowledge, misinterpreted, might have added to the problem … I would not be surprised if they ended up in Kampuchea and Koh Tang through nothing more complicated than a little poor planning and a lot of bad luck.” RRR For whatever reason, six days after departing Kuala Terengganu, on the evening of August 13, 1978, a green scimitar of land known as Koh Tang came into view from the deck of Foxy Lady. Thirty kilometers beyond, perfectly invisible to Stuart, Kerry and John, the regional capital of Kompong Som and Ream Naval Base bristled with military activity. With the aid of eight Chinese-supplied escort vessels, a dozen fast torpedo boats, and a host of other jerry-rigged fishing vessels, Democratic Kampuchea’s fierce little navy was now patrolling waters two hundred miles out, staking claim to Poulo Wai and other disputed islands. Warfare with Vietnam had reached fever pitch. Radar surveillance was as thick as the humidity hanging over the northern Gulf of Thailand. Kerry, Stuart and John knew nothing of these things. As Koh Tang came into view, John described hearing the intermittent sound of engines, but seeing nothing. He may have taken a few photos, and then went below to make some soup or porridge. In just a few moments, Foxy Lady would follow Mary K into the vortex of the great Cambodian genocide. David Kattenburg is the author of Foxy Lady: Truth, Memory and the Death of Western Yachtsmen in Democratic Kampuchea. Print and e-copies can be ordered at www.foxyladyachtsmen.com.

aptain Tim McMahon grew up in the sailing community of Maine, USA. A licensed US Merchant Marine Master, Captain Tim has lived and worked on the water for most of his life. Following 5 years as a busy charter and yacht delivery captain in and around Hawaiian/Pacific waters, Tim spent 7 years living aboard the his own classic yacht Houhere and cruising the oceans and waterways of the world. Sailing into Thailand in 1997, Tim joined a live aboard sail/dive charter company embarking on adventure sailing and diving voyages along the Malacca Straits, Thailand & Malaysia, and pioneering live aboard cruising into Myanmar and the exotic Andaman Islands. In 2004, Captain Tim became the operations manager for a fleet of 10 active charter yachts in the Gulf of Thailand. Now, having logged over 150,000 nautical miles, professionally skippered over 40 yachts in charter and worldwide yacht delivery, taken thousands of people out sailing and given personal yachting instruction to more the 500 sailing school students, Captain Tim’s SailQuest Sailing School at Ocean Marina in Pattaya, Thailand is uniquely suited to teaching new sailors what they really need to know to get the most from the yachting experience. Tim’s sailing experience has provided him with the genuine knowledge of yachts, world cruising and the live aboard lifestyle which he enthusiastically passes on to SailQuest Sailing School students. In addition to an IYT accredited sailing school and world-wide yacht delivery service, SailQuest also schedules a fantastic selection of Join-In sailing adventures including live aboard sailing holidays, voyages to Ko Samui, Ko Chang and into Cambodian waters. Join-In sailors gain valuable hands-on training while sailing alongside experienced yachtsmen and women. This type of sailing voyage provides the perfect chance for sailors to brush up on their sailing skills and to put the lessons they learned in the sailing courses into practice.

SEA Yachting Q & A with Tim McMahon Favourite Marina? Ala Wai Marina, Honolulu, Hawaii: I lived aboard in this marina for about 3 years. I still have a few friends there and lots of good memories about the yachting/ holiday/party lifestyle we carried on there, on the fringes of Waikiki Beach. Favourite Anchorage? Palmyra Atoll. This small, mid-Pacific island is the place I dream about when I think about “getting away from it all”. Favourite Chandlery? Any Thai hardware shop, fishing shop and the local market. Favourite Sailing Film? 1) Deep Water, the excellent documentary about the first non-stop singlehanded around the world race, in 1969. 2) Captain Ron: “if it’s gonna happen, it’s gonna happen out there….” 3) Moby Dick, the 1956 version with Gregory Peck, a true sailor’s classic. Favourite Sailing Book? Jimmy Cornell’s World Cruising Routes and my onboard gardening favorite, Sailing the Farm. Favourite Sailing Hero? Reid Stowe, the guy that set a worlds

record for the longest time at sea; he sailed non-stop for over 1,000days without touching land or reprovisioning. Favourite Boat Show? The Ocean Marina International Boat Show in Pattaya, Thailand premiering in November 2012. Favourite type of sailing boat? The boats in the SailQuest Sailing School fleet, the Jeanneau 43 Deck Salon model and our new addition, the Celestial 48, are both fantastic yachts. Favourite Regatta? Our local annual racing event, the Top of the Gulf Regatta, held here at Ocean Marina every May is a top event. Usually strong, steady wind, excellent support and marina facilities and unbeatable after hours entertainment in Pattaya. See you there in May 2012. Sailing race you still most want to compete in? The China Sea Race, 565 bluewater miles, Hong Kong to Subic Bay. Sailing destination you still most want to get to? It is not the destination, but the voyage that’s important. When I was in my 30’s I

spent 7 years live aboard sailing and cruising the world and it was the best times of my life so far. I would like to get back to that place and the cruising lifestyle. Sailing journey you’d still like to make? I would eventually like to finish the circumnavigation I set out on about 17 years ago. I had originally set out from Hawaii on a 2 year sailing-around-the-world plan. After 7 years of live aboard cruising, all over the Pacific and S.E. Asia, Thailand is as far as I have come. I have been here for over 12 years already. I really love Thailand, but every year I think of carrying on and heading west and who knows, maybe one of these years I will! What could the Thai gov’t do to improve marina business in this country? The Thai government should make it mandatory that every recreational yachtsman in Thailand complete the SailQuest Sailing School IYT Bareboat Skipper certificate course. This will result in the best informed and prepared sailors anywhere! If you weren’t in the sailing business, you would be…? Then I may have to take up power boating.

Indonesia

Removes Unpopular PIB Customs Bond for

for Visiting Yachts

I GM Richard Loftshouse of Asia Pacific Superyachts Indonesia discusses welcomed announcement with superyacht captain in Bali of the Customs Department of Indonesia removing the PIB Custom Bond.

n a meeting in Denpasar, Bali on 16 November 2011 Asia Pacific Superyachts Indonesia was officially given the news that the PIB Customs Bond has been eliminated by the Indonesian Customs Department and replaced with a new and more amicable system. Richard Lofthouse of Asia Pacific Superyachts (APS) Indonesia reports, “The PIB Bond was a well-intentioned law that was often misapplied to visiting private yachts and superyachts. While there are no recorded cases of any vessel signing off on the staggering bond - 48% of the value of the boat – it more often than not became the preamble to separate negotiations, none of which were in favour of the visitors.” The PIB Bond was in fact only one of four options available to visiting yachts, noted Richard; “However, it was the only one which involved a cash transaction and so became the preferred option of certain Customs officials. It quickly became infamous in yachting circles. To many familiar with Indonesia’s stunning cruising grounds, the news of the total removal of the Bond and the more relaxed regulations will be very welcome news!”

Asia Pacific Superyachts is the leading superyacht management company in Indonesia, bringing in many yachts ranging from 25m to 95m into Indonesia over the last five years. General Manager Richard Lofthouse, a strong advocate for the removal of the PIB Bond, states: “Whilst we had relatively few issues with PIB and never paid any Bond, we did find the way in which it was applied was contrary to the spirit in which we believed Indonesia wished to welcome these visitors.” “We welcome the new regulations with open arms and are increasingly positive about the progress we are making to help Indonesia realize her potential as perhaps the greatest cruising destination on the planet for our clients.” The new regulations, which come into play from 3 December 2011, mean that PIB still has to be made at first port of call. However, without the bond, a guarantee letter from a legitimate and licensed Indonesian company is now required ahead of the vessel’s arrival at the first port. Once the PIB has been processed, the

Captain Charlie Dwyer’s Southeast Asia voyage on the S/y Yanneke Too superyacht in Borneo.

vessel is cleared to cruise any destinations within Indonesia (as listed on the CAIT) and will be fully covered by this initial paperwork process. The PIB is extendable, along with the CAIT in multiples of three months up to a total of 3 years unbroken. This is clearly outstanding news for those who wish to base longer term in Indonesia exploring this diverse archipelago. At the final port of call, the boat must be ‘exported’ (PEB) which has again been simplified into a relatively easy piece of paperwork which can be processed by the ship’s local representative. Overall, there is a little more planning involved – although this is nothing that cannot be offset by using a well-organized local agent – but the new security and confidence that the new PIB paperwork gives is a huge step forward. As Richard Lofthouse puts it, “Our goal is to make Indonesian cruising as hassle free as possible. The new PIB format will not only be cheaper but will also give so much more flexibility. Whereas before we had to

work in a grey area, the new regulation is much more black and white and I know that our clients, as well as everybody in the yachting community, will embrace this greater transparency.” Asked to sum up his feelings after the briefing with Customs this morning, Richard added: “We applaud the policy makers and the Customs Department of Indonesia for recognizing that the Bond had created a negative perception of Indonesia and subsequently for acting to remove this obstacle. We have been championing marine tourism here for many years, sometimes in difficult circumstances. But this news represents exciting times for us and the superyacht community as Indonesia begins to realize her true potential.” CONTACT FOR QUESTIONS /FURTHER INFORMATION ON TOPIC:

Richard Loftshouse Bali INDONESIA M: + 62 (0) 811 340 0668 E: bali@asia-pacific-superyachts.com www.asia-pacific-superyachts.com

New law boon to

Indonesian

yachting

Three 45m plus motor yachts in Benoa, Bali, earlie this year.

he Yacht Support Group send news of probably the most important development in Asian Superyachting this year. Indonesia’s President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has signed into law a new maritime tourism regulation that will change the face of yachting, not only within Indonesia but throughout the region. The new law forms the framework to ease the regulations regarding foreign yacht visits, create conditions that will encourage investment and facilities, and stimulate the general economic development of coastal communities. The Deputy Minister for Economic Development, Dr. Edy Irawady, announced the passing of the new law when attending the ASEAN Fair in Bali last weekend. He said “our prime objective is economic stimulus for local coastal communities and this change will achieve this while creating a transparent yachting industry in Indonesia”. The law is a result of comprehensive consultancy between the Government and the private sector (led by Indo Yacht Support / Yacht Support Group co-founder Captain Cilian Budarlaigh). “...a prime example of an emerging Asian democracy working with industry stakeholders to achieve consensus and place the general good at the forefront of their efforts” said Cilian. A Yacht Support Group spokesman further added that while this is the culmination of many years work and dedication from Pak Edy’s team, there remains much to be done in ensuring correct implementation across this vast

archipelagic country. IYS will continue their consultancy role and have also helped write the implementation protocols which are currently being disseminated. Monitoring it’s use and results will be ongoing. “This is Captain Cilian’s baby... without him we would not have written it... it is his legacy”, said Pak Edy. Captain Cilian countered: “In fact, it is Pak Edy’s legacy as we would never have had the law put forward, let alone passed, without his energy and patronage. The real legacy will be the wonderful adventures that yachties will have when they visit this stunning island nation”. The game changing law will open Indonesia’s doors to visiting yachts; which in turn will open the gate between the Pacific Ocean and Asia & Indian Ocean. Further information can be obtained from cilian@indoyachtsupport.com People mentioned in this article: Captain Cilian Budarlaigh

MCA Master 3,000 tons Unlimited Dr of Intl Trade & Business Founding partner of Indo Yacht Support and The Yacht Support Group. www.yachtsupport.org cilian@indoyachtsupport.com

Dr. Edy Irawady

Deputy Minister. Coordinating Ministry for Economic Development, Indonesia Government.

Dr. H.

Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono

President of the Republic of Indonesia.

Cruising Cat with America’s Cup pedigree

Catamarans have never been cooler, reports KEVIN GREEN, as we can see from the busy international scene, where the Extreme 40s, AC 45s and D35s are taking centre stage amid the backdrop of the upcoming America’s Cup cat-fest.

SO IT’S NO SURPRISE THAT These fast boats are inspiring performance cruising catamarans such as McConaghy’s MC260. The Sydney boat builder is forging ahead in its new foray into catamaran building with the announcement of a second MC260 sold off the plans to an Australian owner. While up in their offshoot yard in China the first boat is underway for a launch in September 2012.

Design brief

MC260 INT 01 v21 teak.

Despite being inspired by racing multihulls the MC260 is not an extreme design says Project Manager Raphael Blot, as it has enough stability to ensure safety margins adequate for a fast cruising catamaran. However speed was the key component, with the cat aimed to perform well in the light airs typical of SE Asian sailing. (McConaghy’s is quoting a target boat speed greater than True Wind Speed when reaching in four knots plus).

MC260 A.

MC260 B.

Living space The MC260 is a semi-custom boat so the interior can be tailored to owners’ needs, a major selling point for discerning cruising sailors, I think. Accommodation in this first boat comprises of four double cabins equally sized between the hulls. Interestingly, the forward cabin is set up with bunk beds, with the option of transforming the lower bunk into a 140cm wide double. The saloon is intended as an entertaining space but also built around the navigator. Cleverly the galley up versus galley down debate has been solved by an open plan design emanating from the starboard hull, so the cook doesn’t feel isolated while they serve up to eight people seated at the saloon table. Down in the hulls, the aft cabin offers a double 160cm wide berth, accessed through an entrance area, which has a foldable wardrobe over a seat on the inboard side of the hull and a fixed wardrobe on the outboard side. For those who want a skipper/crew cabin on board, the forward storage locker can be transformed into a crew cabin with a 50 x 50cm entrance hatch on deck and a port light on the inside of the hull for ventilation. The cockpit has a semi-hardtop bimini to allow clear views of the sails while in race mode yet also offers comfortable weather protection when in cruise mode. Twin carbon wheels with sheet winches nearby and a transom mounted mainsheet track keeps the open plan area clear while giving substantial downforce and twist on the big main.

Construction The development scale model showed a low profile, sleek bridge deck, and reverse angled bow a la Oracle’s America’s Cup cat, giving an overall aggressive exterior styling guaranteed to stand out in any marina. Down below the external styling brief continues with renderings showing a clean and minimalist

interior, ensuring everything is ultra tidy. Constructed in epoxy from SP Gurit with carbon reinforcing, the resin infused hull is intended to be a hard wearing yet a cruiserfriendly build. Rigidity should be assured thanks to all structural beams being carbon which connect the Eglass/carbon epoxy foam sandwich hull and deck. Windward performance will be enhanced by the use of twin dagger boards and 120-110cm bridge deck clearance should minimise wave friction and allow comfortable sunbathing on the Dyneema net trampoline. The Lorima carbon rig (on hulls #1 and #2) has a rotating wing mast, intended to enhance performance and facilitate downwind reefing. The square topped fully battened mainsail (from the Incidences sail loft) has three slab reefs. Standing rigging is Kevlar with the option of carbon shrouds. This interesting Renaud Bañuls design also has the mast nearly aligned with the twin carbon asymmetric dagger boards. Deck gear is Harken with two pairs of 70.3 STA winches controlling the mainsail and headsail sheets with electric 70.3 STEV or carbon 65.3 options as well. Halyards run to the Harken 60.2 STEV electric winch at the mast base which is designed to ensure crew correctly tension the halyards in close proximity to the sails during hoists. Safety looks to be key factor in the MC260 with an escape hatch in either hull plus the optional Ocean Data System electronic anti-capsize system. Called UpSideUp the system controls heel and loads for automatic or wireless release during times of major stress on the boat and like a lot of the gear on the MC260 it has been used successfully on big multis such as the 105ft trimaran Sodebo. Navigation systems will be a B&G H3000 base system with four 20/20 HV displays in the cockpit and single FFDs on each helm location. Other notable gear

The development scale model showed a low profile, sleek bridge deck, and reverse angled bow a la Oracle’s America’s Cup cat.

industry before hitting on Renaud Bañuls, responsible for the naval architecture of America’s Cup trimaran BMW Oracle and heavily involved in the design of Banque Populaire V and Groupama trimarans while at VPLP Naval Architects. With a design brief settled Owner’s perspective quickly Blot had little SPECIFICATIONS Project manager difficulty approaching Price POA Raphael Blot, who will own McConaghy, even though LOA 18.28m (60ft) this first boat, spoke about the Sydney builder had LWL 18.28m turning his dream of a only one multihull to its Beam 8.60m creating a fast cruising cat Draft 1.40/3.20m substantial list of credenBridgedeck clearance 1.10m with the average performtials. “After talking with Mast 10m2 ance of a TP52 monohull, Neville Crichton aboard Displacement (light) 9.00t which can still be handled Alfa Romeo 3 and seeing Displacement (max load) 11.5t comfortably singlehanded. the amazing standard of Mainsail 118m2 “I started to look for the finish on this McConaghy Solent 56m2 ‘perfect catamaran’ for my Staysail 35m2 built super maxi I was very Code 0 120m2 own use almost two years keen to have the work done Gennaker 165m2 ago, a boat that would be by them,” he said. Asym Spin 235m2 smart, elegant and fast,” he McConaghy’s Mast Height 24.80m said. French national Blot, second order was placed at Engines 2 x Yanmar 4JH5E 53hp who has raced in SE Asia this year’s Sanctuary Cove Design Renaud Ba uls for the last 15 years, Boat Show by an owner www.banulsdesign.com converted to multihulls a with similar needs as Blot www.mc2catamarans.com few years ago after sailing – a performance cat that from Yokohama to Hong can be enjoyed by the Suppliers Kong on the maxi-trimaran family when not racing. www.hds-design.com Geronimo and from Taiwan The businessman www.oceandatasystem.com to HK on maxi catamaran is planning an extensive www.bandg.com Gitana 13, which strongly racing calendar mixed with www.incidences-sails.com whetted his appetite for cruising, kicking-off with www.lorima-carbon-mast.com performance multis. the Brisbane Gladstone www.karver-systems.com The Hong Kong www.gurit.com race before the SE Asia based sailor initially looked odyssey north on the at high performance boats Darwin to Ambon without bridge decks. “But I could not cruising rally. Other races for hull number two picture myself spending two weeks cruising will include the Rolex China Sea Race, San in the Philippines or Thailand with my family Fernando Race, Vietnam Race, Coastal Classic on an open decked cat – what I was looking and the Auckland to Muscat Cove. for was their elegance and speed but with a They both should have fun, thanks to bridge deck.” His search for a dream boat in the MC260s impressive list of specifications, as the 50-55ft category was thorough and this boat is clearly aimed at the discerning involved discussions with major names in the cruising sailor with the need for speed. includes the latest Lithium Ion batteries from Mastervolt to maximize the powerto- weight ratio. Entertainment smarts include a wireless digital music and DVD system for distributed media with WiFi headsets.

Project manager Raphael Blot, spoke about turning his dream of a creating a fast cruising cat with the average performance aof a TP52 monohull, which can still able to be handled comfortably singlehanded.

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SEA Yachting’s First Look at:

THE HANSE 415 The Hanse 415 is a state-of-the-art fast cruising yacht with many innovative details. Hanse is well known for providing options that enable each owner to customise their yacht to suit their own requirements: the Hanse 415 is no exception. Her modern longish waterline hull, Hanse’s easy sailing concept layout, highaspect rig and T-keel result in a boat with sparkling performance that is easy to handle. The H415 cockpit is spacious with excellent seating, fittings and amenities. Her twin wheels, German mainsheet system and integrated self-tacking headsail provide excellent short-handed sailing. A lot of thought has gone into this boat as evidenced by the long companionway hatch with easy entrance, patented retractable cascade washboard, long stem fitting with gennaker take-off and foldable bathing platform aft. Below decks, six individual cabin layouts are available, with a large selection of timbers and fabrics. The yacht is light and well ventilated with multiple flush hatches and windows. Joystick maneuvering is available with Hanse’s Smart Mooring System (SMS) featuring integrated sideways pushing bow and stern thrusters and the main drive Structurally the hull and deck are laminated with vinylester resin and joined with a big boat method, eliminating the need for aluminum toe-rails. Solid hull laminate below the WL with strong inner grid structure and the extra safe keel-hullassembly ensures integrity. The Hanse 415 basic ex factory price of € 125.800 represents excellent value for a yacht of this quality.

Technical Data LOA LWL Beam Draft Displacement Engine Freshwater Fuel tank Total sail area Design

12,40 11.40 m 4,17 m 2,10 m Standard / Option1,72 m 8900 kg 40 hp Standard / 55 hp Option 320 l Standard / 520 l Option 160 l 87 m | 936 sq ft Judel / Vrolijk & co

For more details contact: Aquacraft Asia Tel : +65 6866 3878 Email:sales@aquacraft-asia.com.sg