Southern Palawan and the Balabac Straits - Advice Wanted

Created by doina. Last modified on 2009-06-01 14:44:01
Contributors:
Countries: Malaysia, Philippines

Posted 27/3/2008

I am sailing my yacht Moonshadow from Subic To Kota Kinabalu in April. I would apreciate any advice from anyone that has travelled through the area of the Balabac Staits and Southern Palawan since I have had conflicting reports some warning of problems other stating they have sailed there without a hint of a problem.

I have been told that it is inadvisable to anchor overnight in the area of the Balabac Straights due dangers of piracy due to the activity of smugglers in and around the Balabac Island and or communist insurgence in southern Palawan.

I have spoken to Bruce Curran the author of "Combing the Coral Carpet" the sailing guide/pilot, he does not agree that there is any significant threat and has visited the area extensively.I would nonetheless appreciate any input from yourselves or contributors.

Richard Beaumont

richardalanbeaumont@yahoo.co.uk

Received 30 May 2009
Subject: No Piracy problems in Balabac Strait

This reply is in May so it maybe too late for the intended voyage of the enquirer. However from my few passages and talking to others there is no problem whatsoever with anchorages or pirate activity for transiting yachtsmen in the Balabac Strait region or S.Palawan.

Usual caution is the name of the game. There is a greater danger or caution needed in anchoring further south. I have been told not to anchor at Pulau Mantanani as outboards have been pinched by opportunist fishermen. This has not prevented me from twice overnighting there, as it is a magical place with thousands of frigate birds and I wanted to catch a sight of the resident dugong. No problems in 2005 but no dugong seen either.

If you are concerned then anchor along the mainland coast before getting to Kota Kinabalu where I usually stop at Gaya Resort Bay at 06-00.884'N 116-02.848'E.

Tom Bennett