Owning a boat/berthing in Malaysia

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Well I put the question to a couple of sources in Malaysia this morning and got replies back this afternoon - blimey, I didn't realise Malaysia was efficient too.

I'll copy and paste the reply from Simpson Marine in Langkawi.  I wasn't particularly interested in Langkawi but thought they'd probably know the answers since they're trying to flog boats there.  I mentioned powerboats but she's talking about yachts - presume same rules apply.

quote
 The regulation outlined on the Malaysian Govt Marine website only applies to those wishing to register their boats under the Malaysian Boat License or Malaysian Shipping Registry.
However, Malaysia does have an international yacht registry which is the Langkawi International yacht registry (LYIR) which is open to all nationalities. The port of registry is Langkawi. We are also the registration agent for LYIR.
 
ANYONE from ANYWHERE can own a boat in Malaysia i.e. buy a boat and keep it in Malaysia indefinitely. In Malaysia, there are many expats/foreigners keeping their boats in Malaysia without any issues. There is no law governing foreign registered yachts in Malaysia (non-commercial ones).
We have many yachtsmen staying onboard their boats cruising malaysian water - they only have to ensure that they respect their visa requirement for entering Malaysia.

As for boat license, there are no regulations in our marine dept to require any special license to drive a private pleasure vessel. Only those vessels who are for charter are required to have a licensed captain onboard. Some insurer may also require the captain to have a captain's license.
FYI, i know a few couples in Langkawi who are under the MM2H and they own boats here.
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The other source said they'd check out with both the MM2H office and the Marine Department for clarification.  Be interesting to see if their info tallies with the above.

This all looks far simpler than what we have to do here in Phuket, Thailand, where.... ahem.... a few palms have to be greased in order to get a Competency Certificate 

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hi, Papaya,

It's really pretty simple in most countries. It's the difference between pleasure craft and commercial craft.

Power boats, sailing boats, ski-boats, and a 10 foot dinghy with oars are all pleasure craft and little regulated.

Competency certificates are easy to come by as they usually involve a short and basic sailing/power course which includes "rules of the road" and markers (buoys indicating port or starboard). You'll need this anyway for your own safety, that of others, and that of the boat.

Malaysia is a great place to sail, or power around on fishing/leisure trips. All you need to remember is to check in/out with the local Harbour or Port Authority. And only the mechanics have greasy palms.

 

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Just stumbled on this site while having a sniff around Lumut
May be of interest if after waterfront in Malaysia

http://malaysiawaterfront.blogspot.com/2009/01/marina-cove.html

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hi,

I know the Marina Cove development. The block in the photo was completed several years ago. It looks OK and seems to be used as a holiday let  place. The proposed marina was a 1/2-hearted attempt that over the years became a swim area, a fishing pond and finally washed away. Actually it was washed away most of the time. There is no place for boats here. No depth, especially at low tide when it's mud flats.

A swimming pool, water feature park, was built in front of the tower block. Pretty deserted most of the time probably due to having to pay to get in. It's easier to drive past and go 2 km down the road to Telok Batik beach and get the sand plus sea for free. I do this when I visit the area as Telok Batik is a pleasant beach. Lots of Malaysians having a day out at the weekend, on the school holidays, loads of rubbish, and RM1 for the car park. Go between Tuesday and Friday as this gives the cleaners a chance to clear off the weekend junk, and there's no parking charge, and there's few, if any, folks.

There's a new block on the other side of the road that has been building, off & on for 5 years. It's an attractive project but it's a hillslope development so it depends on how you feel about that.

I'll start to split his thread later today to bring it all back on topic.

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hi,

I know the Marina Cove development.

Not just Marina cove, I'm always eager to look at anything that has a berth for a 50ft x 24 ft cat nearby

The one at KK really interested me, but I think this was just another dream unfortunately as I cant find much more about it http://malaysiawaterfront.blogspot.com/2008/10/jesselton-waterfront.html

KK sounds like a good base  for me,all those lovely Islands,  Labuan nearby for duty free beverages, Brunei for cheap Diesel, I can get the boat out at Kudat and a  short hop to Palawan 

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hi, Breathless,

KK is a great place. Easy to walk around. I was there in 2000 so I guess it's changed, a bit anyway. An Aussie mate of mine bought an apartment there and he thinks it's ideal.

I was speaking with some yachty folks a couple of days ago and they were saying that the newly opened Danga Bay in JB is still rent-free.

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KK has a very up market marina..check Sutera harbour Marina and country club. Very nice and close to town. There is a marina at Muar by Marine Dept,It had damage done before it was finished but one pier and fingers are in OK condition. Free overnight for Malaysian boats. Marine Dept can give a list of their marinas around the country.

One about to go into action is on the Marina Island, a man made island near the navy base opposite Pangkor. Last I saw a few months ago, the piers and fingers were well under way and club house also. We have bought a couple of condos in Lagoona stage one there (soon to open as Best Western Hotel) Also at Lumut there is the Lumut International Yacht Club who displaced the Perak Yacht club which has now moved further up the Dinding river opposite the flour mill. Got swing moorings and tractor and ramp for smaller stuff. Very cheap.

Wife and I sailed our new (built UK 1987) 24ft cat from Cukai (Kemaman) 450Nm round Singapore to RSYC Pt Klang. Took 11 days daylight sailing in a rotten heatwave. tinktravel.blogspot.com if interested.

Cheers

Phill

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hi,

Also at Lumut there is the Lumut International Yacht Club who displaced the Perak Yacht club which has now moved further up the Dinding river opposite the flour mill. Got swing moorings and tractor and ramp for smaller stuff. Very cheap.

Thanks for that Tink. Was it some time ago?

The latest on Lumut is that in 2009 the rates at the Lumut International Yacht Club were about 30% higher than the City Marina in Penang. Then at the begining of 2010 the rates went up 50%. It's now probably the most expensive marina in Malaysia, or thereabouts. You have to use the pontoons as the swing moorings sank and there's only 2 private moorings in use.

You can anchor off but it's RM220 ++ per month just to tie your dinghy up at the pontoon.

I have recent personal experience of the Lumut International Yacht Club and the charges are just crazy for such a run-down place. It's dirty showers and toilets, indifferent staff, and nothing much except a reasonable swimming pool. The equipment in the gym rusted away in 2005. The foodstall there is basic hawker stall stuff, if and when the cook is bothered. Don't go there hungry as you'll wait long long.

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Hi Scott,
I have had nothing to do with Lumut International since its take over of what was then Perak Yacht Club yonks ago. I'm not sure but I think Perak Yacht Club swing moorings about RM50 a month. (Can check with Mike Khaw Club Sec. on  0125803301) Nothing much there, but somewhere to park the dingy and lock up areas. I will be taking my cat there soon, as is cheap and cheerful. I have no idea what Marina Island will charge, but at least its close to open water yet well protected. They are putting a ferry terminal for Pangkor as well which will cut a huge amount of time off the ferry to Pangkor. It has a sail in dry-dock already.
Cheers
Tink

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hi,

There's the new Maritime University next door to the Perak Yacht Club. It has a haul-out facility and part of this is run on a lease by some guy who is/was an Italian cooked meats purveyor. I don't think that continental cooked meats and Italian food went down well in the area so he suddenly became a sailboat/ship repairer. I don't get the connection.

Maybe it's like other things in Malaysia, you just need the contacts to get the contract and there's no need to have any understanding of the actual work. A landlady that I know got a contract to cut-up submarines. And this was followed by design & building work for a floating hotel. This connection I can get: landlady = property = furnishing/letting = hotel =  floating hotel. QED.

It seems that he has some lease from the vice-chancellor but there are other boats there on a direct arrangement with the vice-chancellor. I went to see one of them some time ago as it was a 1914 steel 3 masted tall ship - wonderful.

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Hi Scott,

In had no idea that was leased. I have seen the boat you mention very close to the club. I must check it out. Last time I was there a few months ago, they were building a township right at the entrance of the lane (track) to the club. Probably by now there will be coffee shops and mamah stalls etc.. All of which will make PYC more appealing. This might just end up being the poor real sailors paradise!!. Bit more like the old PYC and the then Selangor Yacht Club before rich wouldbe's took over, spent millions so ordinary people cant afford it and then they desert it anyway. RSYC is a sad example of this, but by the sound of it LIYC a lot worse.

Just heard my old boat, a Young 88 is somewhere in Kedah and possibly for sale again. Not that I'm interested, but it was a flyer in its day.
Cheers
Tink

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hi, Tink,

Lumut Yacht Club is part of a group which also involves the nearby Orient Star Hotel. I spoke with the CFO some time ago. They haven't been spending any cash on maintenance for years. They collect a lot of cash from the boats on the hard and on the pontoons. It all goes somewhere. A few years ago there was a very enthusiastic manager. That's when my boat was there but I only stayed a couple of months. This guy introduced eatable food at the cafe, weekly events, discounts, and it all came alive. He quit after some disagreements with the Club committee. Some folks just don't like success, mediocrity is just easier to control.

I think it's part of the mentality of folks who haven't been out much. They get suckered into believing sound bites from the media.

(1). "All foreigners with boats are rich and throw money around like pandan leaves"
(2). "All boats are luxury yachts and the owners are (1) above."
(3). "We can become rich like them by grabbing because they're used to Singapore/UK/Australian/USA etc. prices so they'll think that overpriced is cheap."

It seems to be more blatant with marinas than other items. Oh well, that's life. 

Anyway, next door to the yacht club is an decent eating area with ABC (Ice Kacang) at RM3 with a scoop of ice-cream. You can sit in the shade and get a great view of the river. It's a couple of years since I visited so I hope it's all still there.

I've been checking out Telok Intan.

regards, Scott

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Hi Scott,

You have hit the nail on the head there. In particular they have never heard of retirees who seriously need to keep track of the penny's. Telok Intan...still prefer Anson...is a nice place. All nice and close to the Sembilans and great sailing. I have sent an email to Marina Island to see what the form is about joining the club, fees etc. Not sure this is all set in stone yet, but can try.
Cheers
Tink

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hi,


Penang's Tanjung City-marina gets good reviews for being close to Georgetown - it's almost on top of it. But it gets the thumb's down for the amount of surge in the marina causes by tidal flows and the ferries which are next door.

The marina was damaged by a storm earlier this month. The location is tricky. The earlier Peang Club Marina just to the north of the present one was totally trashed several years ago.

According to "The Sun" (June 23rd 2010), The Penang Port Commission has agreed to build a permanent waterbreak at the Tanjung Marina and work is expected to start by the end of the year.

This report also said that the authorities will look at cleaning up rubbish around the marina twice or three times per day.

Nice.

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Great timing for us "if" it happens

Couldnt pay me to stay in the marina as is, have heard of Horn Cleats being wrenched out of decks on composite multis from surge.