Passage from Batam Island, Indonesia to Langkawi, Malaysia

Fuzzy picture of our chartplotter screen showing the south and northbound shipping lanes in the Straits of Malacca

Waterspout visible in centre of picture

Pangkor style fishing boats

The Straits of Malacca

Passage from Batam Island, Indonesia to Langkawi, Malaysia

February 17, 2016

After 6 days of traveling we finally had the chance to get off the boat yesterday. After spending extra time at Nongsa Point waiting for weather we decided to get some distance covered without stops. We may go back to some sites by land from here. We covered about 450 miles, with 2 overnight trips. The other 3 nights we pulled over to the side of the channel to anchor and get some sleep. Thankfully the weather was calm enough for that. We were grumbling to ourselves that we had to motor most of the way because of light winds. But now we know that we were lucky to get that. The last night the wind was between 15 and 20 knots on the nose. In the shallow water that gives short steep seas that really slow you down and are uncomfortable. The winds, which are always from the northeast this time of year, have been even stronger ever since we got here, so are glad to  have that passage behind us.

The first day was spent traveling west through the Singapore Straits. Between dodging boats and watching the passing skyline, it was an interesting trip. The only problem was a return  fuel line coming off in the engine compartment, which was spewing diesel around. Rob got it repaired but the engine needed to be off while he worked. Fortunately I could drift into a shallow area between the 2 lanes of boat traffic.

By nightfall we entered the infamous Straits of Malacca (or Melaka locally). There used to be issues with piracy but not considered bad on the Malaysian side now. Boats avoid the Sumatra side. Even though the commercial traffic is heavy, it is well organized with shipping lanes each way that are mandatory. The Japanese donated money to have all the buoys in place and maintained. We traveled just outside the northbound lanes. If you go any further towards shore there are many fishing nets, buoys, and boats that you can't see in the dark. It is also known for having a lot of lightning storms. Two nights we were in squalls with lightning. But the other nights you could see lightning around us in the distance. Also so a water spout which the area is noted for.

Each major port along the route had many freighters anchored outside waiting for their turn to load or unload. It was interesting to look them up on the AIS and find out where they were traveling to and their home port. Lots of worldwide destinations! Nearer Singapore there were many barges with tugs carrying sand. The sand is used to create reclaimed land in Singapore and Malaysia, but it comes from Indonesia. Essentially islands are moved out of Indonesia.

The first night anchored we were near Kuala Lumpur airport and could watch the steady stream of planes in and out. It is a city we would like to get back to. Once closer to shore we had to contend with the volumes of garbage in the water. I don't know if it comes from land or the boats. Someone was telling us how they keep beach resorts clean for tourists. They watched a bulldozer pick all the garbage up along with the top layer of sand and cart it away. Eventually they can buy more sand.

Sunday night, Valentine's day, we were anchored in a beautiful protected spot along Pangkor Island. On the opposite shore was an exclusive all island resort, Pangkor Laut. We could pretend to be staying there-the view was the same. There were a lot of the local fishing vessels working near us. We had seen the type many times along the way, about 50 ft long and brightly painted. A few motored around us. We're not sure if that was for good luck, or curiosity, or to tell us to move. We left for the last passage Mon am. In the evening we were traveling along the west coast of the island Penang. If we had known at the time that No Regrets was anchored there we would have done an overnight for a daytime arrival and stopover. There were at least a dozen locations along the island with fireworks at midnight. We don't know the occasion unless they are still for the Chinese New Year or a typical resort happening. The rest of the night was coping with rain, wind, and dodging fishing boats with no AIS.