Feb 2009 Celebes Sea

We had a nice passage from Sandakan to Davao. We delayed our departure from Sandakan because of the rain and strong NE wind, and waited 3 days at Pulau Berhala (anchored at pos: 5°51.34 N; 118°08.54 E).





Then we made a day trip (64 NM) to Marowop River mouth (anchored at pos: 5°25.20 N; 118°56.53 E) there is a village and a police station close by. Next day we moved to Tambisan Island (19NM). We didn’t come thru the channel between land and Island, and anchored at pos: 5°27.14 N; 119°08.87 E. There is a village and a police station too. We made day trips because there are two rivers bringing big logs on the way down.





Two days later waiting for the right winds, we went thru the Sibutu passage and had the current with us.




We pointed Salulami Eastwards and Westerly to Northerly winds (5 to 20 knts) moved us comfortably to Sarangani strait. We made a rum line from Pos: 4°33.76 N; 119°44.75 E to Pos: 5°08.27 N; 124°30.91 E. On the way we crossed fishing boats at anchor with little “canoes” around.





We were told that they are fishing tuna with nylon and hook, netting being forbidden.





These are Fish Attraction Devices around Philippines, moored in very deep waters, and some attached to huge drums that are unlit at nights. Fishing vessels - the mother ships, tie up to these devices, with several smaller vessels out to haul fish.


Friday 13th in the morning, a little cargo (looking naughty) approached us from behind. Sea was ruff, and the captain of the cargo calling on Ch16 “hello my friend” offering us fish he had on board, cigarettes and asking for details of the yacht, speed, how many on board.

I denied his offer telling that sea was too ruff to board, and giving no answer on how many we were on board. And he was insisting on that one.

Finally I told him that we were as many on the yacht that they were on the cargo, he didn’t insist any longer and slowly past on our side.

We didn’t feel comfortable on this one.

The same day coming up the Sarangani Strait the transmission chain from my autopilot broke just before mid night and we anchored North of Balut Island at pos: 5°26.29 N; 125°23.46 E. There are no details on the electronic chart, so we approached the island from far outside 90° to the coast line until a sounding of 10m to drop anchor. I’m not superstitious, but Friday 13 mhum!