Stuck in the Similan Islands - Wow!

[surfmachine]

Wow!! What a place this marine park is, completed my PADI open water scuba diver's certificate, with all my own gear, had the instructer live aboard for 3 days, did 7 dives, my daughter came on them all as well.
Koh Bon was amazing!! Like a big aquarium.
Now back at Similan Island, number 8, sailing to Island num 4 for tonight.
Completed a few running repairs on a overly leaking stuffing box and a leaking raw water strainer, seems to be OK?
Now back to Patong bay for a few days on Saturday as Claire, my daughter flies out on Sunday, back to Mararet river, so I will be looking for a new crew member for the sail back to Langkawi, then over to Indonesia and the West coast of Sumatra.

My 30 day visa runs out on the 3-4-10, is there any way to get an extension without going up to Burma?
Cheers mateys!!!

[daddle]

Sounds like a good time. I'm confused by your question though. Which country's visa? You' re in Thailand now, headed for Malaysia, then Indonesia ... what does Myanmar (ex-Burma) have to do with it?

Good problem to have. Beats the untying the docklines problem....

[Capn Morgan]

Hi Surfmachine

In Patong you will find travel agents that do 'visa runs'. I am not sure what exatly that means, but it is fairly common. That would allow you to stay a bit longer till you find your crew. I know a chap that sailed with me to Phuket. If he is around he may be interested in joining you. Will try and find out in the next day or three and let you know. I get there on the 3rd and will try to head to Naiharn. Let me know if you want to get together for a cold one.

[surfmachine]

Ahoy Captains!
Now back in Patong Bay, have a corroded mixer manifold on the Nanni diesel and it was pumping water into the bilge, so I sailed back at night and have ordered a new one, 7 days, so now I am stuck in Patong!
Keith

[Laidback]

Pity that you did not leave depart Thailand from Ranong when you were in the Similans and do the visa run to Burma's Viictoria Island and Kawthong - very easy with your own boat.
From Patong you will have to depart Thailand on or before the 3rd 0f April - go to Ronong (the nearest place) or all the way down to Langkawi (Note : it is now illegal to use an 'agent' to take your passport and get a visa on your behalf) If you were land based you would only get a 15 day visa to re-enter Thailand - don't know if immigration will grant you another 30 day visa.

[surfmachine]

Thanks Laidback.
I had to get out of the Similans whilst I had fair winds for Patong as the mixer manifold blew a hose connection, corrosion, so I ordered a new mixer from boat lagoon and will go there again on monday to see if they will make a stainless steel replacement manifold as a back up. I will see about a 7 day extension on the visa or do the burma run!
I managed to sail all the way back to Patong without the motor, left at 1130hrs and arrived 1400 hrs next day, ran the motor and bilge pump whilst anchoring.
Cheers from Keith.

[daddle]

Unless you have experience otherwise....my opinion is stainless is not a good choice for mixers. There's something about steam, exhaust and stainless that don't mix well. Iron seems to be the best, as ugly as it is.

[surfmachine]

Thanks Daddle, the motor specialist told me the same, he said that the mixers on the Yanmars were made of stainless but still corroded out, I will be guided by the experts on the nature of the replacement material. Looks like I wont receive the replacement any time soon! I was considering going to the Myanmar border for a visa renewal before the mixer failed, now I will get an extension in Phuket.
Keith.