Incident off Anambas Islands, Malaysia

Created by sue. Last modified on 2008-08-22 12:49:16
Topic: Cruising Information
Countries: Malaysia

On the 15th August 2008, next to Pulau Natuna Besar (N5.03 E109.20) heading from Tioman Island to Labuan Malaysia. Yacht 45' Roberts Mauritis ketch SV "C'est la Vie", Australia.

We had heard of a number of incidents so stayed well north of the Anambas islands and had just changed course to head towards Labuan, 90 degrees.

At 4am I had finished watch. had seen stationary lights ahead. My son took over the watch and called me after approx. one hour as we approached the lights. The ship, an oil tanker, turned on its running lights and started moving directly south, I altered course to go well behind the tanker, course NE and stayed on that course.

I returned to bed and maybe one hour later I awoke to see my boat banging down the side of the tanker. The tanker did a 180 degree turn, came through our position then returned to its original position, (tanker had no flags; medium size).

Damage minimal, bent stainless and scratches down one side, headsail, furled had large marks, small tears starting above the top spreaders.

OK - first we were very lucky that we did not go under the tanker, only a matter of meters away.

Second - Watch keeping was bad, almost to the point of death.

As an isolated incident this may be chance.

I am sending this as a caution to other yachts, and to see whether similar events have occured to other yachts in these waters.

Alistair Muir
alistaircmuir@yahoo.com.au