It is widely accepted that maritime safety and training standards related to crew employed on small vessels engaged in tourism activities in Thailand is currently inadequate.

There needs to be an internationally acceptable series of training standards and qualifications relevant to such activities and a career path that encourages continuous skill training and experience at sea for deckhands, engineers and captains of all vessels below 24m in registered length. Vessels above 24m are required to have all crew trained and certified under IMO standards set out under the STCW regulations and are not the subject of TYBA concern.

Our committee has focused on trying to get the government to adopt suitable standards of training and certification for the small vessel category up to 24 m for all crew, including an awareness of environmental protection issues. On May 24 2021 TYBA and Galileo Maritime Academy submitted such a seafarer training and certification proposal to the Governor of Phuket whereby all relevant crew in Phuket would receive such training in conjunction with the PPAO during the quiet period up to the end of 2021. This would be funded from the budget provided to the Phuket Governor from central government for the purpose of funding projects that would encourage the safe return of international tourists to Phuket.

This initiative could also be adopted by other provinces or adopted by the Marine Department on a national basis.

The proposal was well received by the Phuket Governor and was forwarded to Phuket Marine Department for comment and action. Given the preoccupation by MD on Covid 19 and SHA actions this has yet to be dealt with by MD, although a subsequent meeting and follow ups by TYBA have resulted in some progress of consideration, but no conclusions as yet.

It is estimated that the proposal would cover between 300 and 700 Phuket crew members but the actual number of crew employed in this category of vessel in Phuket is not known.

TYBA is now considering the adoption of a career path of proficiency qualifications for Thai small vessel crew that will enable them to progress from entry level deckhand, engineer etc. up to captain and then to commercial and superyacht careers at sea, dovetailing into the STCW proficiency qualifications under IMO.

Irrespective of whether the government, provincial or national, adopts the TYBA proposed set of training standards and certifications, TYBA plans to provide its’ members with approved TYBA Certificates of Proficiency for small vessel crew and a recognised career path of proficiency qualifications.

Our committee has focused on trying to get the government to adopt suitable standards of training and certification for the small vessel category up to 24 m for all crew, including an awareness of environmental protection issues. On May 24 2021 TYBA and Galileo Maritime Academy submitted such a seafarer training and certification proposal to the Governor of Phuket whereby all relevant crew in Phuket would receive such training in conjunction with the PPAO during the quiet period up to the end of 2021. This would be funded from the budget provided to the Phuket Governor from central government for the purpose of funding projects that would encourage the safe return of international tourists to Phuket.

This initiative could also be adopted by other provinces or adopted by the Marine Department on a national basis.

The proposal was well received by the Phuket Governor and was forwarded to Phuket Marine Department for comment and action. Given the preoccupation by MD on Covid 19 and SHA actions this has yet to be dealt with by MD, although a subsequent meeting and follow ups by TYBA have resulted in some progress of consideration, but no conclusions as yet.

It is estimated that the proposal would cover between 300 and 700 Phuket crew members but the actual number of crew employed in this category of vessel in Phuket is not known.

TYBA is now considering the adoption of a career path of proficiency qualifications for Thai small vessel crew that will enable them to progress from entry level deckhand, engineer etc. up to captain and then to commercial and superyacht careers at sea, dovetailing into the STCW proficiency qualifications under IMO.

Irrespective of whether the government, provincial or national, adopts the TYBA proposed set of training standards and certifications, TYBA plans to provide its’ members with approved TYBA Certificates of Proficiency for small vessel crew and a recognised career path of proficiency qualifications.

Matthew na Nagara is the President of the Thai Yachting Business Association (TYBA). Recently we caught up with him to find out what issues the TYBA is currently focused on.

“First, we are working on a plan to include international yacht arrival in the Phuket Sandbox scheme. These vaccinated yachtmen will be able to arrive Phuket without quarantine but must remain in Phuket for 14 days. Their vessel must remain in port until all the 3 tests have been cleared. Then they can sail freely after that.

“We are also trying to set up a scheme that will permit overnight crew charter as part of the Phuket Sandbox. This will allow vaccinated travelers to fly in Phuket and has an option of chartering overnight that is still counted as part of the quarantine hotel stay. This chartered yacht must have a SHA+ certificate. This proposal is currently frame as the ‘Phuket Seabox’ by the diving industry. If this program is approved, charter operators will be able to offer a package that includes hotel + overnight charters. We hope that this will be a beginning of a restart for yacht charter businesses”.

“We need to create a better supply chain for marine products in Thailand; right now we rely heavily on imported products, but many of these parts could be produced locally. It is a shift we have to make if we want to grow as an industry. These products could serve the visiting yachties but Thailand could also act as a regional hub for these products, cutting the costs for our partners in ASEAN who are also forced to import many of these products from Western countries.

“After COVID 19, we will be in a much stronger position; foreign boats can now stay up to 2.5 years. This makes it more convenient for international yachtsmen to keep their vessel in Thailand. Foreign superyachts can now obtain a charter license and provide charter service here as well. The issue regarding the collection of VAT on a vessel’s value has also resolved.  So we should start to see more foreign superyachts applying for charter licenses and provide service in Thai waters. These regulatory improvements will attract more foreign yachts and superyacht into Thai waters and have a significant impact on our industry growth in coming years. There will be more demand for services, marinas and shipyards.

“Local businesses will also gain since food and beverage provisioning on superyachts accounts for about 25% of the total charter value and charter guests spend a lot on tourism and hospitality. Superyacht crew expenditures are also significant and stimulate local and national businesses.”

“Education and access: that’s why the new Riverdale Marina being built in Pathumthani (profiled in this issue of the TYBA newsletter) is a welcome addition. It will allow a whole new group of people to experience the marina and boating lifestyle. It’s important for people to get out and experience water sports whenever they can whether it be dinghy sailing, kiteboarding, crewing on a regatta, kayaking, anything that gives them exposure to boating. The domestic market has high potential but there is a high learning curve that has to overcome.”

Warwick Downes’ Bonza won the 2021 Multihull Solutions Regatta for the second time in four years, although in 2018 the trimaran was called Fugazi. Ironically, this year it edged out Dan Fidock’s new Fugazi (two less points) to capture the prestigious OMR Multihull Class and win the championship.

Paul Stamp has now taken over as the Southeast Asian Manager for Multihull Solutions and was graciously on hand to officially start the regatta. Andrew deBruin has moved back to the company’s new office in Brisbane where he will oversee the company’s operations in Asia.

Competitors suffered through a veritable cornucopia of climate change in the three short days experiencing everything from soft rain to hard pounding rain; no wind to heavy gusts; calm water to large swells; and sunny blue skies versus overcast grey cloud cover.

On the final day, due to lack of wind, PRO Simon James had the boats on the water for three hours and twenty minutes before spotting a bit of breeze and getting the sailors underway at 1:50 needing to get a race underway before his 2:30 start deadline. Unfortunately, the wind, which had been so strong the previous two days, didn’t keep and the race had to be shortened with the racing multihulls getting in one lap of the two-lap race and the other two classes just making it to the top mark for a half-lap race.

Some of the competitors were somewhat distraught having stayed up late to see England lose to Italy on penalty kicks in the UEFA Euro Cup final.

On the day, Bonza took first place in the light wind, followed by John Newnham’s Twin Sharks and Dan Fidock’s Fugazi. Team Philippines Voodoo, and Glywn Rowlands Twister 2 followed in that order. Staging the race and that order of finish allowed Bonza to capture the regatta as its lowest finish could be dropped if five races were held. Overall, the final standings in the class were Bonza, Fugazi, Voodoo, Twin Sharks and Twister 2.

Voodoo’s all Filipino crew (Jojo Tayong-helm; Alik Narag-bowman; Jun Ortiz-main trimmer; Melvin Delos Santos-jib/spin trimmer; & Jamar Cabauatan-mast man) sailed without either Hans Rahman or Ian Coulson for the first time and edged out long-time friendly rival Twin Sharks in the regatta. The charismatic crew drew the admiration of fellow competitors with the way they handled their man overboard on day one to their celebration at the final party.

The six-boat Multihull Cruising (PHC class) saw Rick Fielding’s Pulse Yellow (Mick “Octopus” Kealy & Rick “Mojo” Fielding) take top spot with Pulse Grey (Simon Boyd & Roger Cox & Steve Gorton) in second, Pulse Blue (Paul “Flatty” Baker & Mathias Bernsletter) in third and Charles Robinson’s Star Trek in fourth. Pulse Red (Rick Delaney, Apple Vimonchandr & Gregory Morozov) had a tough regatta as it couldn’t even reach the start line on the final morning, let alone the finish line, and as a result of its broken rudder on day one could only get in one race during the regatta. Bill Kane and his crew on The Sting registered but decided to sit out the regatta due to the rough weather.

Pulse Yellow captured the four-boat Pulse 600 division followed by Pulse Grey, Pulse Blue and Pulse Red in that order.

The Covid-19 pandemic, which is currently hitting the world, has posed some challenges to Ocean Marina Yacht Club, especially the marina, as it is used frequently by sailing enthusiasts, both local and foreign (pre-Covid) as it is convenient distance from Bangkok.

This time of the year, Ocean Marina Yacht Club traditionally would normally have several foreign yachts visiting, and the yacht charter businesses would have been very busy taking tourists to the many beautiful islands just off Pattaya beach. Since the Covid restrictions have been placed, sailing activities have slowed down but fortunately for the boat owners who wanted to sail at the gulf, there are no restrictions going out. Fortunately, with thanks to Matthew and the TYBA, the Thailand government granted permission to overseas yachts to enter Thailand, with two entry points; Pattaya, just off Ocean Marina Yacht Club and Phuket. Since November last year, Ocean Marina has welcomed on average, one boat every month since then.

 

Additionally, boat owners took advantage of this time to repair and renovate their boats. The boat building factories in the marina such as Seacat Ships, Powerplay, and Serenity are busy building new boats. Seacat Ships are building 3 new aluminum catamarans, being a 22m, which are going to be launched later this year. Powerplay are building new fiber glass catamaran.

During this time, Ocean Marina has taken advantage of the quiet time, by deep cleaning and upgrading the surroundings of the marina. Ocean Marina has invested in two new defibrillators (a device that gives a high-energy electric shock to the heart of someone who is in cardiac arrest). One is mounted on the front of the marina office, and the other one onboard Ocean Marina’s charter boats. Ocean Marina also began to offer disinfection services that use the best quality solution that effectively kills 99.5% of viruses and bacteria, yet safe for humans, animals, and the environment. It is available for boats, mini offices, shops, and condos at affordable rates.

Ocean Marina’s youth sailing has continued, with the Optimist sailors spending time with their dinghies on weekends, practicing and getting ready for the coming regattas in the near future. Surely a fun way for these kids to break their weariness of online learning. And of course, boat owners and sailors have regularly sailed on weekends to beat the boredom of the Covid-19 restrictions.

Located just 30 nautical miles east of Phuket, Port Takola Yacht Marina & Boatyard is now in its fourth year of operation. It is a full-service marina situated between Krabi Town, and the world-renowned tourist town of Ao Nang. It offers year-round shelter with short access to many of Thailand’s finest yachting destinations.

Sebastien Caveriviere, the Marina Operations Manager, tells us the biggest boat the marina can take would be 48m with the biggest draft being 3.6-3.7m. Silver Lining, a 105footer, with a 3.6 metre draft is the deepest draft boat they’ve had so far.

It stayed for a year before moving on to do charter in Phuket. Ocean Emerald is the largest superyacht that has stayed with them. In total, Sebastien says there are 45 stern-to berths up to 40 metres LOA on the existing four- metre wide main concourse pontoon, by Marinetek (the same pontoons used on the new Phuket Yacht Haven superyacht berths). All berths will have full length fingers and extra wide concourses that maximize convenience and can accommodate a golf buggy.

A second pontoon will take another 26 berths and will be installed soon. Also available are twenty moorings (2-ton concrete blocks), for boats up to up to 18 metres LOA.
Sebastien says “the hardstand can accommodate 50 monohulls; numbers reduce a bit if there are many catamarans. The 38-ton Roodberg travel lift has a maximum draft of 2.6 metres, with no limitations on width—the slipway is 12 metres wide and 50 metres long so that it can lift boat up to 70% of the total year. The maximum length of a catamaran would be 55 feet, 60 feet for a monohull.”

The marina supplies 32 and 64 amp in single phase and 125 amps three phases. There’s electricity & digital water metres for all berths; a fuel dock supplying Gasohol 95 and diesel; a lounge & all day cafe with Wifi access; 24 hour security; a high pressure wash; showers & toilets; taxis to town: motorbike & car rental; and a car park. And Krabi International Airport is just a 40 minute drive away.

The marina can handle Harbor Master & Customs check-in for you and also assist you with immigration (two minutes away by dinghy). Port Takola also does customs extensions free of charge.
Recently participants in the Bay Regatta stayed two nights at the marina and they all raved about the service & hospitality they received. In particular, noting how relaxing it was to chill and hang out at the marina café.

Mooring rates starts from 7,000 THB, and there’s currently a 30% discount for wet & dry berthing, and there’s a 35% Travel Lift discount promotion.
The marina also provides comprehensive yacht services through the following contractors:

Provides maintenance service to the marine and power generation sector (certified MTU engine technician). They also provide other engineering services such as steel, hydraulics, & air-conditioning.
Contact info:
+66 89 446 1991
e-mail: [email protected].

Antifouling, wood work, fiberglass, spray paint, steel work, engineering, and outboard services.
Contact info:
+66 87 884 6280
E-mail: [email protected].

The chandlery stocks most essential needs for maintenance & repair such as paint, rope, general hardware, cleaning products, zinc anode, safety equipment, anchors, chains & Zodiacs. They are also an official agent of Rolly Tasker Sails.
Email: [email protected] (anything they don’t have they can quickly get from Phuket).

Antifouling, wood work, fiberglass, spray paint, steel work, engineering, rigging, and refurbishment.
Contact info:
Mob: +66 84 846 8869
E-mail: [email protected].

Antifouling, wood work, fiberglass, spray paint, steel work, engineering, rigging, and refurbishment.
Contact info:
Mob: +66 84 846 8869
E-mail: [email protected].

Mechanic, welding, hydraulics and steel work.
Contact info:
Mob: +66 95 039 9135
(The marina can also arrange for electricians, refrigeration specialists & outboard engine specialists)

Royal Phuket Marina has announced an exceptional THB 10 million investment to dredge the 750 metres of the Koh Kaew Canal inner channel up to the marina’s entrance, allowing 24-hour access even at low tide.

The project will ensure an inner-channel width of 20 metres, and a depth of 2.5 metres, even at the lowest tide levels, and is scheduled to be completed in October 2021, at the start of the high season.

Together with the current outer-channel dredging work by Phuket’s Marine Department, slated for completion by the end of September, the project will greatly increase the accessibility to the marina, allowing boats up to 35 metres to safely enter and exit Royal Phuket Marina around the clock.

This improved accessibility, coupled with the marina’s state-of-the-art and multi-award-winning facilities, strengthens Royal Phuket Marina’s position as the island’s premier marina.

The initiative comes in addition to the marina’s continuous investment in sustainability. Being the first marina to switch to renewable energy, it has recently added additional solar panels, quadrupling its previous solar-energy production.

“This latest investment reinforces our commitment to our customers and to the betterment of the island’s overall marine infrastructure. We aim to attract additional yacht and boat owners to the island, who may have previously opted for other destinations, thereby benefiting the local economy with their tourism spend. It is part of our vision to make Phuket the yachting hub of Asia, and a destination on par with any other marine destination in the world,” said Mr. Gulu Lalvani, Chairman of Royal Phuket Marina.

There’s a brand new TYBA member who can help you with all diesel-related problems as well as electrical wiring, injection issues and much, much, more. The family-owned business has been operating out of Phuket since 1991 and was originally called Asupon Diesel.

• Pump & nozzle checking
• Diesel & common rail systems
• Benzene & EFI systems check
• ECU electrical wiring
• Turbocharger repair
• Boat & yacht repair

Sritanapat’s talented technicians are skilled in injector & pump services; Northern Light marine gensets; changeovers & the installation of the Volvo Penta D6-310 engine: modifing an electric pump to a mechanical pump: and repairing pumps in the new Yanmar Turbo 6HL-STP,

Khun Tanawat and is lovely wife Thorntamon & daughter Lily are more than willing to assist you with any questions you may have, They are happy to provide a quote for services and can usually be anywhere in the greater Phuket area within a couple hours after receiving a call for assistance.

The shop is located in Phuket Town on Thepkrasattri Road and is open every day from 8am-5pm (Tel: 080-535-5335), except Sundays.
It also imports machinery and spare parts from overseas.

TT TRUCK AND MARINE DIESEL
STPdieselservice