farawayfrom: 365 miles from Singapore
In the past, yachts could go up the river to Kuching and anchor right in the middle of town. There are two causeway bridges now, so this is no longer possible. Best option is to motor seven miles up the Sarawak River past the prominent Borneo Convention Centre to the small government-run Kuching Marina with the blue dome roof ashore.
There is space for 20 boats with water, electricity and showers. Customs and Immigration clearing are a short drive away at old Pending Port. There is good transport into town and the Bako National Park is nearby.
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Kuching is wedged between the Santubong and Sawawak rivers and as the capital of Sarawak it has a fascinating colonial history. After years of ownership by the white Rajahs (The Brooke family), the State of Sarawak eventually became part of post-war Malaysia.
There is an excellent museum in the city with such unusual items as shrunken heads and a monster crocodile.
Alternate calm anchorage is west of the Santubong National Park headland on the north coast four miles up the Santubong River at the bridge before the Sarawak Boat Club. Anchor just north of the bridge in 4 metres to use the cheap facilities at the club on the west bank. Diesel can be sourced and the club has great seafood. [/read]
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120 miles from Sarawak River Marina (Kuching)
On the confluence of the Rajang and Igan Rivers, 70 miles from the South China Sea, Sibu is the second largest town in Sarawak. It is a thriving, modern town dominated by its bustling and crowded waterfront.
Anchor on either side of the 1-mile wide river, keeping well clear of the central channel and busy barge traffic. Best holding is off the famous Sibu Swan sculpture past the ferry piers near the Kingwood Hotel.
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Sibu’s wealth and fame are largely due to its enterprising, hard-working, Foochow community, who arrived in Sarawak from Southern China during the reign of Rajah Charles Brooke (1900-1917).
The city’s population of 260,000 is a colourful mix of Chinese, Malays, Ibans and other ethnic races. Each race takes great pride in its own traditions and customs, but racial harmony is the norm here.
Sibu City is the gateway to the mighty Rajang River and its vast hinterland. As the main commercial centre and port for the Rajang Basin, it is the starting point for one of the world’s great river journeys. From here, local ferries can be taken hundreds of miles up the river through steep sided valleys and, on occasion rapids, right into the heart of Malaysian Borneo.
The passage from the coast to Sibu is available only through the Ranjang River. The Igan River was an option until the recent causeway was built. The Ranjang is well charted and deep enough for keeled vessels up to 4 metres draught. The journey is fascinating and anchorage can be found virtually anywhere, but particularly at one of the many longhouses on the banks.
The local tribes provide famous hospitality and are always ready to tell you of the exploits of their grandparents. They may even show you the hut where they keep ancient shrunken heads from previous skirmishes.
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Brunei and Sarawak Oilfield rigs extend south west of Miri. These active production rigs are well lit but there are plenty of heavy-duty wellheads and mooring buoys remaining unlit purposely to avoid petty theft of batteries, solar panels and lights. These steel hazards can be extremely difficult to see, especially when backlit by an active rig. Keep a good night lookout when amongst these rigs.
280 miles from Sarawak River Marina (Kuching)
Miri Marina is one mile south of the Baram River (called ‘Miri River’ by the locals), tucked in behind a breakwater in a sheltered lagoon. The bay to the south and east is shallow.
The statue on the port side breakwater on entering is a seahorse, the city emblem of Miri. The marina offers full facilities and berthing for 80 yachts up to 115 ft. The depth inside is approximately 4 metres with a 2-metre soft mud bank at the entrance.
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Located in Miri town, the marina offers plenty of opportunities to explore Sarawak. It is an ideal base from which to explore nearby Gunung Mulu, Niah and Lambir Falls National Parks. Gunung Malu is a must see as it has one of the biggest limestone cave systems on the planet complete with over three million bats.
Only one mile north is the river mouth, which is well worth exploring by dinghy or hiring a local boat. The water comes out black from the tannins it collects on its run from some 400 km inland.
This city is the base for the off-shore oil and gas industry of Northern Sarawak and as such carries a huge range of marine hardware and supplies at competitive prices.
Since Miri is often the first or final port of entry when cruising this coast, the local government officers are used to dealing with clearing yachts. The Marine Department is on the way into town and Customs and Immigration buildings are not far from each other in the main city. www.mirimarina.com info@mirimarina.com[/read]
370 miles from Sarawak River Marina (Kuching)
The government-run Labuan Marina is open again and has 50 berths. Facilities include toilets, showers, washing/drying machines, Internet and WiFi. The pool is open to marina guests for a small fee and there is a café on site. Yachts at anchor outside the marina are welcome to leave their dinghies, take showers, drop rubbish and decant water here. There was no fee at the time of writing.
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Anchorage is also available in the south-facing bay off the town in 8 metres. Fuel is available at service stations in jerry cans or can be arranged in greater quantities from local barges.
Labuan is an island off the coast of Brunei Bay. Once a part of the Sultanate of Brunei, Labuan was ceded to the British in 1846. It remained under British colonial rule for 115 years, except for three years when it was under Japanese occupation.
Labuan became part of Sabah in 1963. Its strategic location and proximity to major shipping routes and offshore oil and gas fields has boosted the local economy.
As Malaysia’s only truly deep water anchorage, Labuan is a free port, a Federal Territory, and an International Offshore Financial Centre. Bandar Labuan is the main town, with airport and ferry connections, and is a popular tourist destination offering good diving, snorkelling, beautiful beaches and nature trails.
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435 miles from Sarawak River Marina (Kuching)
The approach is heading 90° keeping Tanjung Wakong a half mile to port until abeam then steer 128° into the marina. The charted depth is not accurate since dredging works have taken the bottom down to 6 metres just outside the breakwater and to 4 metres inside the basin.
This marina is part of the Sutera Harbour Marina, Golf, Spa and Country Club estate. The modern 104-berth marina is located adjacent to the city centre of Kota Kinabalu, the capital of Sabah, and has an array of sporting and leisure facilities.
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Flanked by the 5-star Magellan Sutera Resort with 456 rooms, the complex also has a 27-hole championship golf course.
With the large island of Pulau Gaya abeam the port side, approach the marina on a heading of 117°-115° to waypoint 5°58.18N, 116°03.31E.
The channel into the marina is marked with white pylons and runs parallel with the shore in a northerly direction. These can be hard to spot from sea but the stone seawall is easy to distinguish and the marina entrance will be clearly visible to starboard once closer to shore. VHF Ch.71.
The average depth is 5 metres inside the basin and outside the breakwater is more than 7 metres. Fuel, water and WiFi are available, but any provisioning will have to be done at the five major shopping centres in town, ten minutes away by taxi.
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