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Sail BIMP-EAGA Exploring Equator-Asia

Equator Asia cruise

Frequently Asked Questions

Organisers:

Sail BIMP-EAGA is created, organised and managed from the Bandar Seri Begawan offices of Intrepid Management Service Sdn, Bhd, a Brunei based company, and registered tour operator.

How to register my interest?

Please use the inquiry form at the bottom of this page to add your name and yacht to those interested to join the 2010 cruise. Please remember each  fleet will be limited to a maximum of 15 yachts and approximately 50 people. There may be more than one fleet with multiple departures about two weeks apart.

Where do we meet in Darwin?

The Dinah Beach Cruising Yacht Association  (DBCYA) has agreed to provide a base of support for Equator Asia cruise yachts and crews as they make preparations to depart Australia. The adjacent anchorage in Fannie Bay is convenient, with tender access to the club premises. Or the nearby Duck Pond (walking distance), and other marinas in Darwin. 

The Association is known for it's relaxed atmosphere, friendly club premises, helpful local members and support for cruising yachts.  

Equator Asia cruise yachts which plan to use the route from Darwin to  Ambon to initiate their entry into BIMP-EAGA, should consider joining the DBCYA's Darwin to Ambon race/rally to exit Australia.

What equipment & capabilities does my yacht need?

Well-found cruising yachts will find the demands of cruising through the warm and relatively placid waters of BIMP-EAGA to be easy-going, compared to higher latitude cruising. 

Nevertheless, participating yacht are recommended to obtain a copy of Yachting Australia's "Blue Book", which contains the yacht racing rules, but more importantly, a comprehensive section on yacht equipment, fittings and safety equipment which is far more detailed than the normal ISAF Special Regulations. This "Blue Book" information  is based on the accumulated wisdom of millions of hours racing and cruising, including recommendations arising from incidents. It is strongly recommended that yachts meet or exceed the specifications for a Category 1 yacht race.

All participating yachts will require a functional HF/SSB radio and SailMail service, so they can obtain weather information, contact other yachts in the fleet for information or advice, and  maintain communication with Sail BIMP-EAGA staff. 

Participating yachts will receive a free subscription to BRUNEI BAY RADIO's extended HF/SSB email service. This service works using the same software/hardware as SailMail, and from within the same copy of the on-board software that creates, send/receives and displays SailMail messages. The BBRemail subscription provides additional daily connection time, and the ability to send/receive attachments (eg: pdf files, jpg photos etc) to receive information about official Stops and Anchorages along the route, and for general communications with Sail BIMP-EAGA staff.  

It is strongly recommended that yachts have a proper Marine HF/SSB radio, programmed with the full marine bandplan of HF/SSB channels and frequencies. Please:

1. Ensure your yacht has a proper registered marine callsign. An Amateur Radio callsign - assigned to a person - is not sufficient.
    

2. Read the sections on HF/SSB radio use in this region under the Yacht Cruising section of the BRUNEI BAY RADIO web pages.
    

3. Ensure your HF/SSB radio has - as a minimum - the full complement of Marine HF/SSB channels assigned to BRUNEI BAY RADIO, and the other simplex frequencies that may be used. See the Voice Services page of the BBR website for details. 
    

4. Ensure your HF/SSB radio - and/or alternate contact initiation option - is equipped to initiate (eg DSC) and maintain communication (ie: on the official Marine HF/SSB Emergency Frequencies) with an MRCC, in the unlikely case of a Pan Pan or MayDay situation. See the Marine Emergency Contact and Emergency Contact List pages of the BRUNEI BAY RADIO website for details.

A list of other recommended on-board equipment and capabilities will be provided to participants after registration.
 

Can Motor Yachts participate  too?

Yes, motor yachts are welcome to join the Equator Asia cruise. 

How do we stay in contact before the cruise?

The email address for all communication about the cruise - before and during - is  equatorasia(at)bruneibay.net 

The office phone number in Brunei is +673 2 221685/6

The office fax number in Brunei is +673 2 221687

How do we stay in contact during the cruise?

Communication from/to Sail BIMP-EAGA staff, local service providers and tour operators during the cruise, will be provided over HF/SSB radio via BRUNEI BAY RADIO:

• The free BBRemail subscription provided to all participating yachts will be used to communicate via email with Sail BIMP-EAGA staff. It will also be used to send yachts regular updates including Adobe pdf attachments with details of events, facilities, services, tours etc for upcoming official Stops and Anchorages.
   

• Yachts will use their SailMail service as usual to request/obtain updated weather information (eg: GRIB charts or METAREA forecasts and warnings) to help schedule longer passages, to order spare-parts, organise crew changes, and maintain contact with family and friends.
   

• The free BBRemail subscription is available to update your blogs and websites regularly with pictures (as attachments) and text about  venues and experiences during the cruise. And to send articles to sailing magazines, yacht club newsletters, on-line yachting newsletters and general tourism publications. The BIMP-EAGA Tourism Council, local tourism associations, government agencies and tour operators who facilitate and support this cruise need your support in return, via the publicity you can generate.
   

• A morning voice sked will be conducted on BRUNEI BAY RADIO's assigned marine voice channels/frequencies.
   

• Yachts will email an evening position report and sailing plan to Sail BIMP-EAGA staff each day.
   

• Yacht are also requested to submit a YOTREPS position report each evening so their progress can be observed by friends and family, and the shore service providers or government support agencies on-route. 

How much does this cruise cost?

The cost is composed of two elements:

1. A participation fee - to cover the cost of organising and managing the event. For the Equator Asia cruise, this is Bn/Sg$1500 per yacht, including two crew, for the 4 to 5 month event, agent fee for the initial arrival in Indonesia, and initial CAIT fee. Visas, visit pass extensions, CAIT extensions, port fees etc along the route are not included in this participating fee. An additional fee will apply for additional crew members.

2. Optional local events, activities, tours, shore excursions/accommodation etc at official Stops and Anchorages.

In some locations, we will arrange anchorages, yacht security, support/information about local resources etc using the established capabilities of local tour operators, venues etc so owners feel comfortable about leaving yachts at anchor - for a day and perhaps a night or two in some locations - to venture inland to experience what the region has to offer in terms of cultural and natural heritage experiences.

For example, climb a mountain, stay in a community home-stay with a local family, watch wildlife from a hide, take a dawn walk to see birds, share a family meal cooked by your host on their kitchen's open-fire, ride an open truck at night to see owls, cobras and other predators, sleep in a jungle hammock to look for Orangutans at dawn, or sleep on the beach to watch turtles at night. 

A list of activity and tour options, with prices, local contacts, services, facilities etc will be emailed to participants via BBRemail about a week before arriving at each official Stop and Anchorage.

What do I get for my money?

• The freedom to cruise beautiful coasts, uncrowded anchorages, and thousands of islands with small groups of like-minded yachties because Sail BIMP-EAGA provides the communication and support networks to assist you along the way.
   

• The confidence to explore and enjoy relatively untouched and isolated areas of BIMP-EAGA, where more traditional lifestyles and nature's bounty still exist. Equator Asia - The Heart of Biodiversity
   

• The opportunity to visit venues, meet people, experience diverse cultures, see wildlife and enjoy spectacular scenery in a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
   

• The knowledge that your involvement in Sail BIMP-EAGA will contribute to the poverty alleviation, cultural and environmental preservation goals of the BIMP-EAGA Business Council and BIMP-EAGA Tourism Council.
  
  And that through the commitment of many individuals and organisations to the development of Community-based Ecotourism projects and local SMEs, the money you spend - and the money which other yachts spend when they visit, after reading your experiences - will help create income streams that protect and preserve the traditional knowledge, the unique cultures and the diverse natural heritage of Equator Asia - The Heart of Biodiversity.
   

• The included Sail BIMP-EAGA dinners, events, tours etc along the routes, arranged in conjunction with local tourism associations or operators, and government supporters. 
   

What about an Indonesian Cruising Permit?

BIMP-EAGA tourism officials in the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism are working with other Indonesian government authorities to establish special cruising arrangements for the Sail BIMP-EAGA yachts in Indonesia.

This requirement was raised in the 10 & 11 March 2010 BIMP-EAGA CIQS (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine & Security) Task Force meetings in General Santos (Philippines), where Allan Riches made a  presentation about the special needs of Sail BIMP-EAGA yachts and crews to CIQS officials from the four BIMP-EAGA nations.

What about the Indonesian Customs Bond?

BIMP-EAGA tourism officials in the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism are working with Indonesian Customs to establish an exemption for Sail BIMP-EAGA yachts in Indonesia.

This was discussed in the 10 & 11 March 2010 BIMP-EAGA CIQS (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine & Security) Task Force meetings in General Santos (Philippines), where Allan Riches made a  presentation about the special needs of Sail BIMP-EAGA yachts and crews to CIQS officials from the four BIMP-EAGA nations.

What about an Indonesian Visitor Visa?

BIMP-EAGA tourism officials in the Indonesian Ministry of Culture and Tourism are working with Indonesian Immigration officials to establish an extended visa for Sail BIMP-EAGA yachts crews.  The goal is to have one visa of sufficient duration for the entire cruise.   

This requirement was raised in the 10 & 11 March 2010 BIMP-EAGA CIQS (Customs, Immigration, Quarantine & Security) Task Force meetings in General Santos (Philippines), were Allan Riches made a  presentation about the special needs of Sail BIMP-EAGA yachts and crews to CIQS officials from the four BIMP-EAGA nations.

What about entry into Malaysia?

Officials expect to have a new - BIMP-EAGA initiated - CIQ facility established at Semporna by the time the Equator Asia cruise arrives in Sabah (Malaysia). This new facility will be used for yachts to enter Sabah.  yachts will depart Sabah at Semporna, where CIQS services are already established. 

Visiting yachts do not require a cruising permit, customs bond or any other special permits for Malaysian waters. Malaysian Customs regulations require only one customs formality upon entering Malaysian waters, and another when departing.

Visiting yachts are required to complete port and marine formalities as they move around Malaysia. There are no charges for privately owned recreation vessels.

Immigration formalities are required when entering Malaysia, and when moving in and out of the States of Sabah and Sarawak, and the Federal Territory of Labuan. The standard visitor permit for Malaysia is one month; ample time for the expected duration of the Equator Asia cruise periods Sabah. There is no charge for a visitor permit. 

What about entry into the Philippines?

Existing CIQ services at Puerto Princesa will be used for entry formalities into the Philippines.

A new - BIMP-EAGA initiated - CIQS facility is expected to be established at Brooke's Point (southern town on the east coat of Palawan)  by the time the Equator Asia cruise yachts arrive there, ready to embark for Borneo.

Visiting yachts do not require a cruising permit, customs bond or any other special permits for Philippine waters. Inward and outward Customs clearance should be completed. There are no charges

Immigration entry formalities for yacht crews normally cost 500 Pesos per person. Philippines Immigration officials in the March 2010 BIMP-EAGA CIQS Task Force meetings in General Santaos (Philippines) have proposed no entry fees for Sail BIMP-EAGA yacht crews.  The standard visitor entry permit for the Philippines is 21 days;  ample time for the expected duration of the Equator Asia cruise route from Puerto Princesa to Brooke's Point.   

What about entry into Brunei?

Existing CIQ services at Serasa Ferry Terminal will be used for entry and departure formalities at Brunei.

Visiting yachts do not require a cruising permit, customs bond or any other special permits for Brunei waters.

Inward and outward Customs clearance must be completed, along with Ports and Marine clearances. There are no charges for these clearances for private recreation vessels.

There is no duty on importing yachts, or parts (except for batteries and spark plugs) for boats into Brunei. This makes Brunei attractive as a place to send new sails and other boat parts.

Immigration entry formalities to Brunei for yacht crews presently vary with nationality. For example, USA citizens receive a 2 months visit pass for no charge. UK citizens receive a one month visit pass for no charge. Australians must complete a Visa on Arrival form for a 2 week visit pass and pay Bn$20. Alternatively a 72 hour transit visa and visit pass is available for Bn$5.

Sail BIMP-EAGA staff are working with Brunei Immigration officials to simplify and harmonise the immigration requirements for Sail BIMP-EAGA yacht crews. 

Sailing the morning offshore breeze along the west coast of Borneo in January, during the NE/NW Monsoon season.  Clear skies after the overnight rain, and flat seas created by the rain and nearby weather shore.

Please return here to get further details
as the rally schedule develops.

If you would like to add your contact details to our database to be updated with details, please click on the For inquiries ....  link below.