Things That Go bump in the Night!
In the early hours of the morning we were due to leave Brunei, a huge squall went through. During the strong winds another yacht dragged it's mooring and banged into the portside of Hamamas near the stern and davits.
Tom and I were awakened by a dreadful sound as the boat reared up and down like a bucking bronco, banging and bashing the teak. We were out outside in a flash, Tom in his birthday suit and Fran is just a pair of knickers!
As Tom tried to push the yacht away to keep it from fouling the dinghy, davits , solar panels, satellite phone aerial or even the hull, Fran started the motor and drove Hamamas up on the anchor chain out of harms way. This was successful and the other yacht bobbed away.
By this stage some other yachties came to rescue the runaway yacht while we were able to re anchor safely.
Later that day we contacted the owner of the other yacht and he agreed to pay for the repairs however, as the damage was minor Tom has managed to do a patch up job on the teak until we get to Lankgawi where we hope to buy a new section of teak.
Finally, about mid day we were to leave Brunei and head off for our next adventure having promised ourselves to stay even further away from moored boats when next we anchored!
F Welsh
Brunei 2009
Checking
Out of Brunei
Well today we checked
out of Brunei and here's how it went. First we had to dinghy over to the Ferry
Terminal which took about 20 minutes in the stifling heat. Once the dinghy was
tied up and secure we climbed up the steps and wandered through the Terminal with our papers to the following Departments
which fortunately, were all in the same building at least.
We visited the
Maritime Department first, with Forms A and B and a Crew List all completed in
tripclate. Then it was off to the Health Department with the Crew List for the
"chop", which really means a stamp. Next we trotted back to the
Maritime Department to collect the Forms and show them the Crew List with the
"chop"
Then it was Customs
turn for our paperwork. They needed to "chop" the Forms and the Crew
List. After that it was to yet another Department, Port Control. Yes! For the
"chop" and a copy of the Crew List.
Meanwhile, a large
ferry arrived with lot of passengers all who had to have a Health Check, that
is, their temperature taken as a Swine Flu control. As well, they needed
Immigration and Customs Clearance. So we weaved our way in and out of about 50
passengers all who wondered what on earth we were doing!
By this stage one
would think we were finished. But,oh no! It was back to both Maritime and
Customs with Crew List for each so we could obtain the Port Clearance and
Customs Clearance Papers.
We were both very
amused with all this by now. It really was funny but we had to stay in control
of our mirth because we were still not "cleared out!" What we
required next was for Immigration to stamp us out in our Passports. So off we
went to Immigration for the "chop" but they needed a "BIG
CHOP" on the Crew List. We had to get this from Maritime! Smiling, or you
could read, "gritting our teeth" we marched back to Maritime for the
BIG CHOP!
With the BIG CHOP now
on the Crew List we trundled back to Immigration for our Departure Chop in our
Passports. Finally, we received the
"chop" Yeah! At last we are cleared out and we didn't have to pay!
The return journey
back to Hamamas took another 20 minutes in the dinghy but it was not so hot as
we were going into the wind.
All in all Clearance
only took about an hour at the Terminal but we needed a lot of patience. As it
was said in the movie Madagasar, "Smile and wave boys, smile and
wave!"
Fran Welsh
Brunei
02/06/2009
