Paradise Lost – Part Deux

Sipadan - Paradise Lost

The outcry against the destruction of the reef between the old pier and Barracuda Point at Sipadan by a barge laden with sand, gravel, construction equipment has continued to grownin momentum, with members of the Malaysia Diving Community forum calling for a boycott of Borneo Divers over a self-centered statement made by one of its directors.

The question remains as NOT TO WHY was the barge there, but why was construction of facilities been mooted for the paradise island after the painstaking step of chasing away resort operators off the island a few years back? The Sabah state government has a lot of explaining to do.

As for Clement Lee of Borneo Divers’ statement that “only a small percentage of the reef was destroyed and that the reef will be back to normal” for divers to visit, I hope he will commence his reefcheck duty now. In 200 years time, I’ll come and visit him and the rejuvenated reef.

The wanker. Borneo Divers should kick Clement Lee out and employ Clemency instead.

Paradise Lost

Based on this article on FINS Online

Barge at Sipadan - photo by Alex Mustard/FINS Online

Some idiot allowed the barge above to moor at Sipadan. Somehow, a storm came and this barge had caused lots of damage to the surrounding reefs between the pier and Barracuda Point.

I’ve already lodged a complaint with Sabah Tourism, and another with several committee members of the Marine Branch of the Malaysian Nature Society. Why the MNS? Well, they were so negative in reporting about artificial reefs that were deployed in Tioman, and at times were giving stupid reasons (artificial reefs shoulodn’t be deployed as it causes marine life to seek refuge in them and disturnb their natural behaviour – said an MNS committee member).

For those who want to complain, send your complaints to the following:

Sabah Tourism or e-mail info@sabahtourism.com

MNS Marine Group Coordinator (TC Lim) – mnsredang@yahoo.com

MNS Reef Check Coordinator (Saras Suresh Kumar) – robo88_88@yahoo.com

MNS Secretary (Serina Rahman) – serina74@whale-mail.com

So I want to see what response Sabah Tourism would give me, and what is MNS going to do about this. I hope they put their money where their mouth is.

Damaged reef at Sipadan - photo by Alex Mustard/FINS Online
Damaged reef at Sipadan - photo by Alex Mustard/FINS Online

Propel No More

Propeller of the MV Unistar a.k.a Sugar Wreck

Sitting some 17 meters beneath the surface of the sea between Perhentian Kecil and Kuala Besut on the mainland is the wreck of the MV Unistar, also known to divers as Sugar Wreck, or to the locals, Kapal Gula. It sank in heavy seas back in 2001.

Stopover At The Perhentians

Perhentian…here I come again…after a month. Now that I have more time on my hands, and not having to breathe polluted air in the office anymore, I should dive more.

Weather

Friday: fair in the morning and afternoon, cloudy at night.

Saturday: fair in the morning and afternoon, rain at night.

Tide

Friday – Low: 0109H (0.7m); High: 0851H (1.9m); Low: 1544H (1.3m); High: 1835H (1.4m)

Saturday – Low: 0124h (0.6M); High: 0924h (2.1M); Low: 1544H (1.3m); High: 1823H (1.3m)

Next Courses

Decompression Procedures – 4 days
Extended Range – 3 days
Trimix Level 1 – 2 days
Trimix Level 2 – 2 dives
Trimix Level 3 – 2 dives

So gotta spend about 2 weeks to complete all (plus RM 10,180.00)

Ouch!

My latest video

My latest video was taken during the DHL’s Longest Underwater Reef Observation record attempt last 29-30 April 2006. You can watch the video by clicking HERE.

By the way, this link will only be valid for 7 (seven) days from this posting.

Back to Sanity Part Trois

The (Tioman) hills are alive...with the sound of divers...

Back to sanity on Wednesday evening, so here’s an update on the weather and tides for the duration that I’ll be there:

Weather Enroute

Shah Alam: rain
Seremban: fair
Malacca: fair
Mersing: fair

Weather in Tioman

Thursday: morning – cloudy/afternoon and night – fair
Friday: morning and afternoon: fair/night – rain
Saturday: morning and afternoon: fair/night – rain
Sunday: fair all day

Return Trip Weather

Mersing: fair
Malacca:fair
Seremban: fair
Shah Alam: fair

Tides for Tioman (Tekek)

Thursday: 0246H – 0.9m; 0926H – 2.9m; 1522H – 1.2m; 2104H – 2.6m
Friday: 0317H – 0.7m; 1017H – 3.1m; 1614H – 1.3m; 2133H – 2.4m
Saturday: 0349H – 0.5m; 1106H – 3.2m; 1706H – 1.5m; 2202H – 2.3m
Sunday: 0423H – 0.4m; 1155H – 3.3m; 1757H – 1.6m; 2232H – 2.2m

I’ve Set My Eyes On This…

The ex-PX 4 Marine Police Gunboat

The PX-class was the mainstay of the Royal Malaysian Police’s Marine Police Force from the 1960’s until the early 1980’s when 15 PZ-class patrol boats became the main patrol boats for the police. The PZ’s have now been seconded to the newly-formed Maritime Enforcement Agency, surrendering the throne back to the PX’s.

If I can remember clearly, the first PX-class I ever went on was the PX3 (then the wooden type built by Vosper Thornycroft of Singapore) in Penang. The rest were the PX 4, PX 9, PX 19, PX 21. Of the PZ’s, I was only on one: the PZ 4.

The PX 4 you see above was also built by Vosper Thornycroft of Singapore in 1976, steel-hulled and more powerful than its namesake predecessor. The last news of this particular PX 4 was back in July 1997 when together with the PX 19 and the Royal Malaysian Navy’ KD Gempita searched for survivors of an accident involving two Indonesian boats packed with 111 illegal immigrants near Pulau Undan. This PX 4 has since been replaced by a newer version built locally.

I have set my sights on this one and hopefully I’ll be able to purchase this one.

I might change its colour to bright orange.