BASSAS da INDIA SAILING NOTE

BASSAS da INDIA SAILING NOTE

Ketoro

October 2010

This is an atoll in the Mozambique Channel, almost completely under water at high tide but with exposed, walkable reef at low tide.

There are, surprisingly (and illegally?), mooring buoys at 21:28.395S 39:43.706E.
April 2015 update: we have been told that those mooring buoys were removed, but they may possibly have been re-instated. Please post a message below if you can confirm: thanks!

The atoll provides magnificent snorkeling and diving, fascinating reef walks and a parade of exceptional marine life past the boat, amongst which large sharks and whales (alarmingly close).

We heard that it is possible to enter the lagoon in the atoll, using waypoint 21:27.37S 39:42.56E, but on observation we thought entry might be at 21:27.04S 39:42.56E. At no stage did we take the boat into the atoll, however, but enjoyed using the dinghy.

SUMATRA SAILING NOTE

SUMATRA SAILING NOTE

Ketoro

June 2010

Having spent a few days in big storms and large following seas, heading east to Thailand, and with no abatement evident, we decided to seek a port of refuge. Pulau Weh had been recommended and it was where we went. 

Pulau We is a cup-shaped island (open north) and we passed the top western headland to go to the lagoon on the opposite arm, opening to the west.

As we covered the open stretch of water between the two arms, we were assaulted by very strong winds again: a valley at the South end (bottom) of the island channels winds northwards here.

We saw the harbour and lagoon, and called up several times but received no answer on VHF. So we went ahead and anchored at 05:52.288N 95:18.441E, in a calm, beautiful lagoon and relished two days recovery, not leaving the boat as we had no visa. We were visited by locals and watched the fishermen running repairs as they could not get to work either.

When we left the lagoon, to our surprise we were called on VHF 16 and the harbor master told us he wanted to inform us of where we had been anchored. We took the details down despite our confusion, and he gave us the following waypoint: 05:53.31N 095:14.19E.

Some time later, on checking this position, we found that the position we had been given was on the eastern side of the western (left) side of the cup. This is approximately in the top area indicated with dive flags in the above map.

We do not know the reason for the fact that the harbor master wanted us to record the other position, but it may be possible that it is the one allowed yachties seeking refuge, and they would prefer not to get boats in the small lagoon, which is for local people only.

We were nonetheless very grateful for the opportunity to rest and recover, and grateful that we were not barred entry in the storm.