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Pelagic · 29-07-2017, 18:55

Looking for any updates on security here.
It has always been a nice place to enter Malaysia

Alan Mighty · 29-07-2017, 20:14

According to the Malaysian press, trilateral (Malaysian, Indonesian, and Philippine) sea patrols are happening in the Sulu Sea since April or May 2017 (see: Hisham: Joint Sulu Sea patrols are on - Nation | The Star Online )

Malaysia declared the eastern coast of Sabah from Kudat to Tawau district (in other words from Kudat to the border with Indonesia) as the Eastern Sabah Security Command (ESSCOM) and has issued specific rules for the ESSCOM area.

Those rules prohibit navigation within 3 nautical miles of the coast in the hours of darkness (1900 local to 0500 local). (see: Sabah Advisory | Sabah, Malaysian Borneo)

Expect patrols on water (but do not be disappointed if you see them not).

I've had reports that very few cruisers are in the area. The cruisers I know who used to visit that area have all stayed away.

Travel to or anchoring at the islands NE of Kudat (Balambangan, Banggi, Malawoli) and all islands in the ESSCOM area is not advised. (See: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/malaysia and https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-ad...y-and-security )

Alan Mighty · 29-07-2017, 20:28

The curfew on night time navigation within 3 nautical miles of the ESSCOM coast was recently extended to 10 August. (see: Curfew in Esszone waters extended to Aug 10 - Nation | The Star Online )

I would guess that the curfew is likely to be further extended. But who knows? Everyone knows that it is hard for Malaysia or any Southeast Asian polity to sustain enforcement of almost anything for three months. 'S got to do with political resources, leadership or the lack of it, the regard for man-made law, and so on.

Note that that media story suggests that local residents (outside of Kudat urban area?) are encouraged to stay indoors from 1800 to 0600 local.

Local boats carrying tourists etc are being encouraged to install and use AIS (see: Sabah tour boats given one month to install automatic identification system - Nation | The Star Online).

Pelagic · 29-07-2017, 20:50

Thanks all....such a shame as I love that area and is/[was) on my schedule for June 2018

Alan Mighty · 09-08-2017, 23:16

Latest developments:

1. Tourist promotion of Kudat (desperate for tourists and visitors). See: Video clip to promote tourism in Kudat - Community | The Star Online

2. Curfew in coastal waters off Eastern Sabah extended to 26 August. See: Sabah Esszone sea curfew extended till Aug 26 - Nation | The Star Online

Wckoek · 10-08-2017, 02:52

Probably things would get better next year.
Philippines is starting to going hard on the rebels.

Ahquabi · 15-08-2018, 20:26

Hello I sailed down to Kudat from PP a couple of weeks ago and I know of others who have sailed one way or the other recently with no problems. In fact I havn't heard of anyone having a problem in that part of the world for about 3 or 4 years.

Pelagic · 15-08-2018, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ahquabi

Hello I sailed down to Kudat from PP a couple of weeks ago and I know of others who have sailed one way or the other recently with no problems. In fact I havn't heard of anyone having a problem in that part of the world for about 3 or 4 years.

Good to hear, I really like Kudat

lucseawalker · 16-08-2018, 02:35

We just spent 6 delightful weeks in Kudat after a passage from Palawan without any incident. We know of one sailor who sail between Palawan and Kudat several times a year and he never had security issues ...
Sail Malaysia had 20 yachts recently passing in Kudat and cruising Borneo east coast under the protection of ESCOMM.
I think the area is safer in the past 2 years due to increased patrolling!
Official here are very easy and pleasant when clearing in and out.
I just sent a port update to Noonsite with latest details on Kudat.

Here is a video we made and just posted:
Malaysia - Mini tourist guide to Kudat on North Sabah Borneo
https://youtu.be/oYLN5kWWkMo

Pelagic · 17-08-2018, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by lucseawalker

We just spent 6 delightful weeks in Kudat after a passage from Palawan without any incident. We know of one sailor who sail between Palawan and Kudat several times a year and he never had security issues ...
Sail Malaysia had 20 yachts recently passing in Kudat and cruising Borneo east coast under the protection of ESCOMM.
I think the area is safer in the past 2 years due to increased patrolling!
Official here are very easy and pleasant when clearing in and out.
I just sent a port update to Noonsite with latest details on Kudat.

Here is a video we made and just posted:
Malaysia - Mini tourist guide to Kudat on North Sabah Borneo
h

That terrific, we will be heading that way next April.
Unfortunately I could not open your video link....could you please repost ....thanks