Sailing Yacht Salulami was kind enough to share his waypoints and his experiences with me. He has agreed to have it posted here.
- 05°51.34 N ; 118°08.54 E - at anchor. Waited 3 days at Pulau Berhala for weather to clear.
- 05°54.84 N ; 118°18.48 E - We left this morning Sandakan for Dewhurst Bay at the river mouth from Kinatangan river
- 05°25.22 N ; 118°56.53 E - at anchor - we had good conditions so me made it to Marowop River (63NM) were we anchored for the night. There is a village and a police station close by.
- 05°27.14 N ; 119°08.87 E - at anchor - we moved to Tambisan Island (20Nm). Village and policy station close by. Day trips only because the 2 rivers bring in several big logs.
- 04°43.47 N ; 120°01.84 E - We left yesterday one PM Local time to enter Celebes through Sibutu Passage. Current with us at the beginning, very light winds, smooth sea. Crossed cargo route at 04°43 N.6 cargo's in a range of 6 NM then nothing more. At this time we are motor sailing
- 04°45.909 N; 120°25.53 E - we past a fishing boat at anchor with 5 small power driven pirogue's around him. (Wiskun's note: There 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). Two of them came towards us, and from far offered us fish. We denied, continuing on our course 084°T. After we passed them, I put the engine on to increase speed to put distance between them, actual speed 5.2 knts over the ground.
- 04°57.14 N ; 121°54.45 E - We had a nice sailing day yesterday. We made 101 NM. Still 343 NM to go. Every thing ended fine with the fishing boat story. That was the emotion of the day.
- 05°07.76 N ; 124°10.09 E - We had a nice sailing day again. We made 130 NM. Still 208 NM to go. The wind is nice constant from N to NW but sea is building up, about 2m
- 05°26.28 N ; 125°23.46 E - At anchor. Friday 13th we made 119 NM in 23 hours but the wind lost in strength and turned WSW at the end of the day. In the morning, a little cargo (looking naughty) approached us fom behind. Sea was rough, and the captain of the cargo, calling on Channel 16 "hello my friend" offered us fish he had on board, cigarettes and asking for details of the yacht, speed, how many on board. I denied his offer telling him that sea was to rough to board, and giving no answer on how many we were on board. He was insisting on that one. Finally I told him that we were as many on the yacht as they were on the cargo. He didn't insist any longer and slowly past on our side. The transmission chain from my autopilot broke just before midnight and we anchored north of Balut Island. There are no details on the electronic chart, so we approached the island from far outside 90° to the coastline until a sounding of 10 meters to drop anchor. We stopped at 11.00 UTC North of Sarangani Island. We came in with a squall.
- 05ー29.14 N ; 125ー26.19 E - Yesterday we had the visit from a Official of Balut Island Ayob Aynan. Since my transmission chain from the auto pilot was broken, I could give a good and true reason of my presence there. He was very friendly offering us a escort because they are on red alert from treasure hunter. (no no I don't smoke dacha). This morning we were boarded by officials from the coast guard station Sarangani, and got an official paper of inspection. They were very friendly too. We left at 23.00 UTC.
- 06°21.33 N ; 125°43.10 E
- 06°53.97 N ; 125°38.40 E - We have 10Nm to go and a ETA 02.00 UTC, I will call Port control and if no answer Pilot station.
- 7°04.50 N; 125°37.70 E - Sta. Ana Wharf - Quarantine check-in
We had an overnight trip of 100NM up the Davao Gulf. This was the part of the trip that needed most attention. Plenty of little fishing boat with small lights all around the place. Radar does not pick them up. Monday 10.00 local time we anchored at the quarantine place and had the visit of the officials. Guys! Pirates are not on the sea, they are on land. Quarantine officer charged us 2000P with receipt, Custom and Immigration 3000P each with no receipts. I was asked to give something to the pilot boat that brought these people on board. No comment! The trip was 610NM and we sailed 7 days.
A little rest and go for new discovery. PS: 1) I have to thank Allan Riches from Brunei Bay Radio. I had HF contact wit him every morning. Also thanks to Ellen and Kjartan from Wiskum, Canadian Yacht. They are involved in a marina project NE of Samal Island. For more details, see webside: www.sailsamal.com I had email contact with them. They informed officials about our ETA. PS: 2) GPS positions are WGS84 format. You are free to use them, double check it before use!
Wiskun's note: According to Noonsite.com, the Philippines' entry ports have irregular port of entry fees, some classified as "Special Services Fees". We did not encounter such fees when we arrived Davao, and it was unfortunate that SY Salulami did. The Holiday Oceanview Marina has intentions of having this clarified with the officials. If there are fees to be charged, in accordance with the Immigration, Customs and Quarantine regulations, they hope to get this in writing to be posted in their website.
Thank you to SY Salulami for sharing.