Written by Scott McCook / www.asiaboatrag.net
By now reports of the devastating Tsunami have reached every pocket of the world, thanks to modern telecommunications. But recent accounts have it that all the boats lost during the onslaught of the tidal wave were lost in marinas (notably Telaga Harbour and Reebak Marina, Langkawi, Malaysia) or, anchored in shallow waters. The Royal Langkawi Yacht Club sustained only minor damage to their pontoons and are fully operational. Telaga and Reebak are closed although the hardstand area of Reebak Marina was virtually untouched the berths were totally destroyed. Although Telaga Harbour had 7 boats sink in the marina and their berths totally ravaged, it is expected that the major stakeholder, Petronas, will rebuild the marina back to its pre-Tsunami glory.
Luckily, the marinas in Phuket are all located on the eastern side of the island and although the level of water rose within their basins the only real damage sustained was to some of the pontoons. The favourite anchorage of cruising yachts in Phuket is Ao Chalong on the southeastern tip. Although the bay was ravaged by the waves, the only boats severly damaged were anchored in the shallows. Those in deeper waters simply had a large wave roll underneath their keels.
A personal contact who happened to be anchored off one of the hardest hit areas in Phuket - Kata Beach, recounted that they had been anchored in 15m of waters some distance from the beach. Within 15mins before the wave struck, the depth of water under their keel dropped to just 5 metres. Had they been anchored in 5m of water they would have been laying on their side when the wave hit with disastrous consequences!
The major loss of people is now being attributed to people being sucked out to sea by the retreating waters. It is reported that the waters around Phuket and Langkawi are strewn with debris so mariners in the area are advised to proceed with caution.
Will rescue services are being employed to deal with the post-drama situation they are being taxed to the limit. However grim the situation is, people in the area are keen to get on with life. We still have cruising boats coming in to the area and these are heading up the coast. There are thousands of kilometers of coastline that still lie untouched.
On 8th January we received a report from Yachtpro's managing director Rob Williams whose company is located in Phuket Town (see www.sailing-thailand.com). Rob wrote:
We did a survey on Saturday of the primary sailing area around Phuket:
Phi Phi Islands
The village at Tonsai is devastated. We were intending to go ashore but didn't as it seemed pointless. It will recover but it will take time.
The other beaches and bays are fine.
It seems that all the facilities other than those at beach level at Tonsai are operational.
Phra Nang - Krabi
This seems to have taken a battering but has been cleaned up except for a couple of boats on the beach.
Relai - Krabi
Seems to be operating normally with a little damage evident but cleaned up. A local informed us there had been two boats lost but no loss of life. We had lunch at one of the beach side restaurants.
Ao Nang - Krabi
The main part suffered little damage due to the sea wall that protected it. Further north was more effecte but has been cleaned up.
Koh Hong - Krabi
There are still a couple of boats in the trees and the restaurant is a shell but there are people camping there and the beach is clean.
In general, while many places were hit to some degree, they have been cleaned up and are operating normally.
If you were planning a sailing holiday here in the next few months, it is my opinion that you should not delay your trip.
Relai Beach is usually full of people at this time of year. At lunch the staff out-numbered the clients and the beach was pretty well deserted. Apart from all thankfulness on the donations a website from Phuket is appealing to the foreign peoples not to stay away:
Many tourists who escaped injury or loss, and whose accommodation remains intact, have decided to stay on. As each day passes more and more can be seen swimming, sunbathing, dining out, drinking and making the most of the rest of their holiday. Much of Patong Beach's entertainment area was cleared and operating in time for their New Year's Eve celebrations.
Yet cancellations are on the horizon. Cancellations of the tourism income that local families desperately need to begin rebuilding their lives and their businesses. While it is understandable that some may prefer not to continue with their holiday plans in Thailand, on behalf of all those who derive their livelihood from tourism, we ask them to pause for thought...
...to (...) check out the status of hotels and beaches here and on other sites before you make your decision.
The Thais have achieved well-deserved acclaim for their hospitality and the warmth of their welcome for visitors. In the present situation, that welcome will be especially warm and hospitable for those who decide to continue with their travel plans.
Scott McCook is owner of www.asiaboatrag.net, which is a website on sailing in South East Asia providing comprehensive cruising information.
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