Sail Indonesia Annual Rally off to a good start

by Nancy Knudsen on 25 Jul 2010 Sail Indonesia, the annual yacht rally that leaves Darwin in July of each year and is followed by a three month program of linked events across Indonesia, got off to another great start yesterday (Saturday) with 106 yachts departing. It was shorts and bare feet for both sailors and well wishers as they braved the sunny perfect weather of the Darwin winter.

The Rally is traditionally used by circumnavigating yachts who use the rally for a number of reasons. It's a good way to meet other cruisers heading for the more remote regions between there and the Mediterranean. It's also an excellent way of breaching the red tape that is involved with visiting Indonesia. As well as the international yachts which hail from as far afield as Canada, France, USA, Switzerland, UK, Cayman Islands, New Zealand, Cook Islands and Japan there is traditionally a large contingent from Australia. If not beginning a circumnavigation, they are usually heading for the cruising waters of Thailand and Malaysia.

A barbecue gets all the yachties together before departure, and the entry fee also covers the cost of the cruising permit for Indonesia, the CAIT, a welcome dinner on arrival in Indonesia, and a three month sailing program within Indonesia.

This year the start was greeted by a 15-20 knot SE breeze following the fleet over the Start Line.

Officiating at the Start was the Administrator of the NT, His Honour Mr Tom Pauling and the Co-ordinating Minister for the Republic of Indonesia, Dr. H.R Agung Laksono. The rally was divided into two contingents, those heading for Banda, and another group sailing to Kupang.

By midday all yachts had cleared Darwin Harbour and were reportedly settling down to champagne sailing in 10-15 knots of breeze. The 100-strong fleet will stay together until they clear Bathurst Island, with the fleet going to Kupang proceeding in a W-NW direction, while the fleet going to Banda will continue on their northward journey.

Yachts are expected to start arriving at each destination by Tuesday. At 1600 hours, the Indonesian fisheries vessel which is escorting the fleet to Banda was located at 12 03, 130 10. Wind was a light 10 knot ESE breeze with a 0.5 metre swell.

This morning, the escort Indonesia Fisheries vessel was located at 10 08, 129 49 about 40 nautical miles ahead of the Banda fleet.

Conditions had maitained overnight, and were described as 'classic Banda sea conditions' with a SE breeze of 10-15 knots and a following 1-2 metre swell. All yachts in both fleets reported in at this morning’s sched, all having had a good night, and are progressing well.