Graptolite - In Dire Straits
Graptolite's Sailing Log
Martyn Pickup & Heike Richter
Sat 6 Dec 2008 12:57
PM
It was an early start from Nongsa Point this morning. It was something to do
with having to get out of Indonesia before Immigration could fine us for
outstaying our welcome. Some sort of scam obviously as the cost to 'fix' the
problem was exactly the same as the fine would have been.
The crossing of the Singapore Strait was very very scary. At any one time
hundreds of large tankers and container ships are ploughing through these
waters in both directions at 20 knots with only a couple of ship lengths
between them. It was a bit like creeping across an urban motorway with a
Zimmer frame. The only problem though was the huge wash from the back of one
giant tanker that bounced us around and dumped fresh sea water through an
open hatch on to my newly laundered and dried bedding.
We arrived at the Republic of Singapore Yacht Club this afternoon to clear
in but we are not getting much rest in the marina with the mooring lines
twanging in the swell. A nice luxurious marina otherwise with a pool, gym,
restaurant and a marina manager who bought us all a beer.
M