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.