Latest on Indian Ocean Ports Affected By Tsunami

Created by doina. Last modified on 2005-01-10 23:01:42
Topic: ASIA TSUNAMI
Countries: Chagos, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Maldives, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand

Noonsite has received several queries from yachts about the status of ports in the region affected by the tsunami and has put together the following information. There are no reports of any loss of life amongst the yacht community during and after the tsunami, and only a few cases of yachts sunk or damaged. The overall picture is that certain areas worst hit should be avoided, but elsewhere ports and marinas are functioning normally, and indeed if yachts and other tourists stay away it will adversely affect economies which desperately need income from tourism as they commence the massive job of rebuilding.

Boats Heading for Red Sea

Sailors planning to sail from SE Asia to the Red Sea are advised to try and avoid stopping in Galle (Sri Lanka) where facilities are stretched to the limit. Those who wish to stop en route may stop at Uligami, in the Northern Madlives, where cruising yachts are allowed to make short stops. A good place for reprovisioning before the long passage across the North Indian Ocean is Cochin, in SW India, which has not been affected by the recent tsunami.

For those who are tempted to leave the North Indian Ocean, a detour into the South Indian Ocean is not recommended until the current cyclone season has come to an end (early April).

SRI LANKA

Galle was very badly hit by the tsunami with much loss of life. Of the few yachts anchored there, some suffered damage, none was lost. Yachts should avoid visiting Galle as the port is not functioning and a major aid operation is underway. Although strongly advised not to use Colombo except in emergencies yachts may be able to stop there.

INDIA

COCHIN

Cochin experienced tidal surges during the day but no damage. A good alternative to Galle. Note that a visa is required before arrival. Goa also has good facilities.

ANDAMAN & NICOBAR ISLANDS

Some islands suffered considerable tsunami and earthquake damage. The worst damage was in the Nicobars. Port Blair is reported as untouched but should be avoided while the aid operation continues.

Reports of considerable debris in the sea near the Nicobar Islands.

MALAYSIA & THAILAND

All the ports along the Thai coast from the border to Phuket, and all the Malaysian ports are functioning as normal.

Lumut and Penang: no damage. Lumut had wave surge up the river and unusually high tides. All of the anchorages and the marina in Penang are on the east side of Penang island and were sheltered from the tsunami.

Langkawi: pontoons and berths at Telaga Harbour and Rebak Marina have been badly damaged but there are moves to begin rebuilding. At Rebak Marina the travelift is working and boats damaged in the tsunami are being hauled out. The Royal Langkawi Yacht Club marina is fully operational with berths available.

Although two people died on Langkawi and a small number of seafront houses were damaged, the infrastructure is untouched. Yachts can anchor at Bass Harbour (Kuah) as well as Telaga and Rebak Marina, with facilities at both marinas still available for visiting yachts.

PHUKET

The two marinas at Phuket, Yacht Haven and Boat Lagoon were undamaged, as was the shipyard at Ratanachai. Both marinas however are very full and should be contacted in advance of arrival. Yachts can anchor nearby the Yacht Haven with dinghy access to the marina, compliments of the marina management. Elsewhere all anchorages are fine except for Phi Phi Island where the cleanup continues. Yachts are anchored in numbers in Chalong Bay, Nai Harn Beach and Kata Beach. Phuket has no health or infrastructure problems.

INDONESIA

Aceh Province is hardest hit by the earthquake and tsunami, but was not open to yachts before the disaster anyway.

MALDIVES

The ports of Male and Gan are functioning as normal. Male port suffered no damage and the yachts anchored in Hulumale anchorage were unaffected. Uligan in the northern Maldives is a good alternative to Galle as a stopover en route to the Red Sea. Fuel and food available in Male as normal. Some islands are badly affected, and 11 resorts are closed for renovations, however generally the condition in Male and the surrounding resorts and islands are okay, with facilities remaining the same as before.

CHAGOS

No problems reported here; little effect felt of the tsunami.

Thank you for the above information to Bob Mott, Richard Donaldson-Alves, Thailand; Bil Hansen, Malaysia; John Crabtree, Kondo Syokai Boatyard Cochin; Abdullah Jaleel and Ahamed Naushad, Maldives; Sherard Perera, Sri Lanka; Bob, Webmaster, http://www.cruiserlog.com