My other hobbies

My other hobbies

I owned a 30 footer half-cabin fishing boat type “Fisherman 30” built locally by a firm called “Chay Hai” at Loyang. It had storage-well at the centre within the compartmented hull where sea water is being circulated to keep the catch alive. Powered by a single “Johnson 150 hp” engine gave a speed around 20-25 knots. In case of engine failure or breakdowns, I had an auxiliary “Johnson 15 hp outboard engine as a standby. It was fully equipped with VHF radio communication, a small GPS satellite system by Sony and finally a ‘fish finder’ type called ‘hummingbird’. It has a carrying capacity for 12 passengers excluding the skipper. The safety appliances included 13 life-jackets for all persons supplemented with 3 life-buoys. Some pyrotechnics flares to be launched to attract attention during emergency day or night and hand-held pneumatic horn. I also carried an ‘ocean kayak’ for the purpose of ferrying to shore.

I was a natural sailor, supposed I inherit the genes from my father Hermanus, who was ship’s 2^nd Officer, he married my mother in July 1937 in Singapore. He rose to the rank of Captain; while working for a Dutch Shipping Company named “Koninklijke Paketvaart Maatschappij” in short “KPM” with a Singapore office located at Collyer Quay. He was the son of Jeremias Pattiselanno/Martha Poetiray and born in Sapurua, Ambon in 1899. He sailed around the inter-islands of the Indonesian Archipelago and occasionally calling Singapore. At the outbreak of the Second World War all communication had broken down and severed.

After the war when shipping services were resumed; there was re-union but it was not rosy as my mother was very bitter about the war and considered abandonment on his part. To her we were left on our own to face the harsh times under the barbaric occupation of the Japanese army. They probably killed thousands of innocent people, nobody knows the exact numbers. My dad died at sea of heart attack I think around 1951, that is in his 50’s but fortunately his ship was approaching the Port of Pontianak and he was given a land burial in his native Indonesia.

The purposes of owning a boat was for recreational purpose, relaxation, for entertaining guests, friends, colleagues and relatives taking them cruising or fishing trips. Also as a community service for the church youth, altar boys, our neighbourhood group, family and relatives as a ‘getaway’ from the ‘hustle n bustle’ of the city life. We went fishing, cruising, diving expedition, picnics or even overnight camping at some islands usually at Pulau hantu (Ghost) or Pulau Dua (Sisater’s Island). Generally our Southern Islands are beautiful with white sandy beaches, fringe by tall casurinas or palm trees and lagoons.

Hermanus Father’s ship “Wakde” at Tanjong Priok

Wide scale land reclamation work had not only caused enlargement of many islands but also created new ones. It is incredible that in our little red dot, islands came to be out of nothing or nowhere. Reclamation works are done mainly by foreign expertise of the Dutch and Belgium firms from their past experiences and long acquired knowledge of land refill. They had many huge suction-dredgers involved in mining, extracting sand from the sea from neighbouring countries of Malaysia and Indonesia (off shore Karimon or Batam islands) Our dredgers are also involved in the reclamation work for the Changi Naval base, Jurong Island and Tuas extension projects.

Author’s locally built ‘Fisherman 30’

Dredgers like “Khersones”, “Gogland” working continuously 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We were responsible to apply weekly advance clearance from Port Master and the Immigration Authority to ensure smooth operation. The dredgers would arrive fully loaded to an assigned spot and just dumped the sand to a designated “box” location electronically displayed in the vessel’s computer or in some cases to ‘rainbow’ that is to spray the sand by powerful jet nozzle over a selected spot. Time was the essential factor; it involved money and any slip-up, interruptions meant delays and loss of earnings. Our vessels are making twice or three trips per day depending on the distance. If we were dredging from Malaysia it would be only one trip but if from nearby Karimon Island which is just opposite Jurong; it could make 2-3 trips a day.

For our guests we had VIP’s our ship-owners or some high profile representatives from the Black Sea or the Far Eastern regions. They came either to attend important conferences or functions and also captains whose vessels were in the shipyards for repairs. We took them outing on week-ends and had the pleasure to show them around

our beautiful Southern Islands in a tropical setting where the trees remained evergreen throughout the year and the sea water always warm. Most of our larger islands are fully fitted out equipped with barbecue pits, shelters with changing-rooms, clean running water, modern sanitation facilities and proper landing jetty.

Dredger “Gogland” doing “rainbow” at Jurong.

Wreck diving is an interesting subject and most divers find it irresistible that generate lots of thrills and excitement. However it can be hazardous and thereby offers a challenging experience and the satisfaction that goes with it upon successful dive. It leaves behind a memorable impression to be treasured for a life time.

The wreck I am referring was the Indonesian coastal vessel named “Iran Sarmi” of steel construction with over-all length of 150 ft. She capsized and sunk during towage and lying up-side down at 55 ft. of water just off shore of the larger Sister’s Island (Pulau Subar Laut). I had dived at this wreck many times it was a diver’s favourite haunt. Normally on our arrival at this wreck we would drop anchor as close to the wreck as possible or send down a diver to attach a “short line” direct to the wreck. Then descend by the anchor or the shot line. Diving requires team work, usually you have a partner a “buddy” where you share responsibility in assuring each other safety. So in the event of being separated, the drill is ascend to the surface and wait for your partner; he is expected to do the same. The “buddy system” is fundamental to diving safety and strictly enforced by the leader usually the Dive Marshal. I remember descending slowly head-first down the shot-line, occasionally looking besides or behind for my buddy. We exchange hand-signals to confirm our state of well being. Water clarity plays an important part, if the visibility is good then the dive becomes less frightening as we can see at a comfortable distance and aware of any danger. Also the wreck becomes easily recognisible and exposing the possible danger of snags, cables, entangled fisherman’s nets etc…

Sister’s Islands (left larger Sister) Pulau Subar Laut

As a safety precaution every diver carries a knife as part of his/her equipment. The basic idea is to cut yourself free of any entanglement or at least you have something to defend yourself when encounter with dangerous marine species. We must be alert and exercise caution before entering a wreck because many dangers are present; of collapsing corroded steel decks, bulkheads, rotten or loose timbers, sharp edges, projection, twisted metals and so on. Wrecks close to the shore or shallow water are subjected to the natural course of action by the sea creating rough waves and strong underwater currents.

Author at the wreck Sister’s Island

After sinking the wreck was later left abandoned owing most probably to financial consideration that to salvage for scrape was commercially unfeasible. It laid at the sea-bed up-side down; with the portside leaning against the slope of the reef that raise up to the shallow. What remains of masts, funnel, winches, cables, ventilation shafts, all broken into pieces and strewn all over the sea-bed. And owing to a long passage of time, the red anti-fouling paint no longer recognizable as the entire hull became en-crusted by large colonies of marine shells, animals and plants. It soon became a sanctuary, a shelter for the marine population, a haven from other larger hungry predators. It can also pose a danger to careless divers as giant moray eels known to hide in the crevices of the wreck, just waiting for someone to stick out or stick in his/her hand. I had noted that important two items the propeller, the ship’s bell missing; obviously removed by somebody. In fact there was nothing else left worth lifting. All the souvenirs had long gone snapped up by souvenir hunters.

I also had the opportunity to dive with a team of Scientists from a Soviet Oceanography ship on an outing exploring the coral reefs. For observation they would mark off a ‘meter square area’ photograph it and make a detail study of all the animals or plants within. Later we arranged exchange visits with the scientists going to the National University of Singapore and our local scientists visiting the ship.

I had also done some commercial diving for ship-care services mainly hull-cleaning and some odd jobs like sealing stern-tubes, pneumatic underwater cutting, search of lost anchors, fallen items etc…

In June of 1994 I took my family on a holiday trip to Eastern Australia and was in Cairns. We joined the ‘Great Adventures’ cruise a large catamaran-type vessel that took us to the Great Barrier Reef. It came alongside a large floating platform anchored off Norman Reef; there I had a dive with group that had some Japanese tourist. The water was crystal clear, we could see the bottom as we begun to leave our submerged stairways of the platform. The coral reef was a maze of colours and full of marine life that got us excited everyone novice and regular divers alike. One particular fish that attracted us was a kind known as Napoleon Wrasse, an ugly looking fish with a bulging oversized forehead. It had a name, the locals called her “Wally” she was friendly and swam in between us without any fear at all. It appeared that she is the resident fish and has grown accustomed to visitors. I could stroke her forehead and found that it was slimy. Even ‘T’ shirts are printed advertising her fame with a caption “Have you seen Wally?”

At Norman Reef. Diving 1972

At Cairns I took time off from my tour and had the opportunity to ride in a World War II vintage trainer, the ‘Tiger Moth’ (DH82) a 2-place tandem-seating bi-plane. The registration YH BXF painted in silver with yellow stripes. I sat in front and the pilot behind as it is flown from the rear cockpit. A ground crew did a traditional hand start by swinging the propeller around hard. The antique Gipsy Major 1 engine of 130 hp burst into life; roaring loudly as the pilot opened the throttle. We taxied slowly to the take-off end of the runway and off we went racing down the runway until lift off. Below us the City of Cairns and we flew north towards the Barron River and near the forest and mountains of Kuranda. We turned to Trinity Bay for some aerobatics, loops but owing to the small underpowered Gipsy engine we had to climb to sufficient altitude and nose dive to achieve acceleration, to gather momentum and pull up into a loop. For a moment at the top of the loop, we were up-side down, practically hanging by our seat-straps. Then natural force of gravity pull us down and the pilot leveled to come out of the dive. It was exhilarating that kept your heart pounding madly.

Posing ‘Tiger Moth’ (DH82)

Two days later on the 9^th June, I went to Comera, to the Albatross Ultra-light Flying School and met Berrie Sigley. The location was just opposite of the Entertainment ‘Dream World’. Here I sat in an Australian-built ‘Drifter’ SB582 Series, a modified version with strut-brace, doing away with all the wires. It was also a 2-place tandem-seating arrangement. We had to wait for take off as there was some helicopter traffic shuttling to and from the ‘Dream World’. Finally we took off and headed for the east coast, the weather had been excellent with clear blue skies but piercing cold. Even in my leather jacket I was shivering. We landed at Stradbroke Island after carefully looking out for wild kangaroo that might stray into our landing path. After a short break we took off again and in the returned trip I enjoyed the beautiful scenic view of the river and the surroundings. The bungalow houses by the river with private jetty and boat ready to go out for fishing. I had all the imagination and dreams in that half-an-hour short round trip.

Sigley posing with his ‘Drifter’ at Stradbroke Island

Picnics and camping were our favourites with picnics as one daylight and camping an overnight affair. Anyway we would normally organized some cooked food like chicken curry, chilly-crabs, supplemented by fried noodles and fried rice for the Russians as they love it. Also include fresh seafood of prawns, cuttlefish, chicken wings, sausages for barbecue; all stored in Coleman containers. There would always be time in between a break for games or a dip in the cool waters of the lagoon.

For overnight island stay permission has to be obtained from Sentosa Development and this could be done by faxing the name-list of those going. However we had certain conditions to fulfill like having a standby-boat, equipped with radio communication and first-aid kit, in the event of an emergency. In case the need arises for immediately evacuation of the group and especially at night. For camping we normally provided 3 tents to house the group and traditionally a camp-fire kept going all night for merry making and sing along sessions. There are permanent shelters to put our cooking pots, utensils, our containers for frozen things, drinks etc… As for me I had no choice but to sleep in my boat to maintain that vital radio link in case of emergency.

One time we had our neighbourhood group with some young kids; for them it was for the first time that they have left the comforts of their homes and venturing outdoor. It would be a challenge, to be able to adapt to their new surroundings close to mother nature. That is to be in a small island away from the mainland under the canopy of tall trees next to sandy white beach and blue lagoons. What else would one ask for? The parents provided the assurances and are immediately available to response to their needs or to tuck them in for the night and then would join us at the camp fire for chit-chat until the wee hours of the morning. In the morning when the youngsters are awakened, breakfasts are prepared and they settled down happily around the table to eat up their food. Then it was followed by swimming or games. I was really glad to hear laughter coming from all around; that was my reward.

Children! Breakfast is served

Author with altar boys and Fr. William (extreme right)

On two or three occasions I did sailed out of port along the Straits of Singapore south bound into the South China Sea. Of course I had been duly cleared by the Port Master and obtained ‘Clearance’ for leaving port. One time I sailed to the Port of Pasir Gudang in a small Soviet-built hydrofoil boat for the opening ceremony as I was representing our company Singapore Soviet Shipping. It was officially inaugurated by the Sultan of Johore who had arrived in a grand motorcade with police outrider escorts.

Anyway we had many wonderful times with our boat, fishing or merely cruising around with friends or fellow colleagues until…Terrorism bursts into the international scene and had awakened many countries including Singapore. Overnight security concern had been the order of the day and had changed a lot of things from access into certain buildings to protection of major installations. Top priority went to oil storage and refineries on the mainland and the islands of Pulau Sebarok, Pulau Bukom and Jurong Island. It became ultra sensitive issues and declared ‘off limits’ with the military being assigned to protect such key installations. And so Maritime patrols being stepped up aggressively by the Navy and the Police Coast Guard.

I remember earlier news headlines in January 1974 when terrorists, 2 Japanese (Red Army) together with 2 Arab companions attempted to bomb the oil refinery at Pulau Bukom. However their plot was foiled and in trying to escape hijacked the ferry “Laju” holding 5 hostages. They were intercepted by our Marine Police and a navy gun-boat at the Eastern Anchorage and forced to anchor. Eventually after 8 days of negotiation with Government officials led by S.R. Nathan (now President), the hostages were released and the terrorists were offered safe passage in return. They were escorted out of Singapore flying to the destination of their choice Kuwait.

Ferry 'Laju'

‘A’ class Navy gun-boat guarding ‘Laju’.

Once we were happily cruising near Pulau Bukom when intercepted by a sleek looking dark blue hull with white superstructure ‘PT’ class patrol boat from the Police Coast Guard. It had siren blaring out loudly and the PA systems on the air challenging us to stop. We stopped alright and were soon boarded by a party for search and questioning.

The jetty at Pulau Hantu appears serene and peaceful.

We managed to convince them that we were making innocent passage. Nevertheless we were turned away to go where we did not intend to; a tiny un-inhabited, remote island furthest to the south called ‘Salu’ the only area that we could go. Even so this area is subjected to closure when our Air Force conduct their ‘live firing’ at the nearby Island of Pulau Pawai or the Navy hold full scale amphibious assault on the Island of Sudong. Once we ran aground on a sand bar around mid-night in the middle of a naval exercise with many assault landing craft buzzing pass us. The dark moonless night was filled with the roaring sound of the mighty diesel engines; it seems to be everywhere. A Naval Command vessel had their search light shone upon us and through the PA system ordered us to stay to the right side of the channel. But we were stuck and could not communicate; so we got out and walked around our boat to demonstrate that we are grounded. Obviously they could clearly see our situation, understood our message and left us alone. So in the end there is no play ground left; the earlier fun places that we used to roam happily are now all gone! It became history.