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A Sanctuary in the Straits Admiral Marina Opens to
Accolades |
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Report by Bob Ashman
For many years pleasure yachts have used the Malacca Straits
to travel between Singapore and Phuket in as short a time as
possible, with the possible exception of a day in Langkawi to
stock up on  Duty
Free. This is rapidly changing with a number of new marinas
under development. Sadly many such developments have failed
to live up to the promises made in order to achieve early sales
of condominiums and club memberships; even before a pile was
sunk or a pontoon system was in place, leaving a large number
of disillusioned investors.
A noticeable and much-welcomed exception to the norm is Admiral
Marina & Leisure Club, located along the finest stretch of Port
Dickson's coastline on Malaysia's West Coast. Clear clean waters
and an unpolluted atmosphere mean that boats stay clean even
when not in use. The clean waters are jealously protected by
the marina management and already 2 boats have been asked to
leave following 3 warnings not to pump their oil filled bilges
into the marina basin.
The marina is equipped with 119 generously spaced wet berths
- all with water and power supplies suitable for yachts up to
200 feet.  With
a separate fuel jetty that is capable of delivering diesel and
petrol at medium and high speeds, this facility is truly state
of the art. What this marina offers now is a major boon to transiting
yachts and marine tourism initiatives along this once neglected
coast. As welcomed as it may be to these passers by, it is even
more welcomed by those wishing to have a safe, protected and
permanent berth in this most convenient and strategic location.
The marina basin is well protected from the elements throughout
the year by a massive 1-km long curved finger made wide and
long enough to accommodate 54 luxury houses, 47 of which have
already been sold at prices (for the plots alone) exceeding
RM1 million.
The marina, opened just this past December, offers a warm welcome
to boats plying the Straits - and there is largely one man to
thank for that welcome. Marina manager Paul Brennan was born
on the water. Paul has over 20 years experience as an engineer
and skipper on sailing and motoryachts and fully understands
the needs of boatowners and skippers. Should you be passing
the marina you are quite likely to see Paul racing out to invite
you to stop and see the facilities they have to offer firsthand.
 Whether
your visit starts on an impromptu basis like this or by hailing
the marina on VHF Channel 14, the welcome machine is set in
motion. Incidentally, Paul prides himself on personally going
out in his launch to guide you in and assures us that a 24-hour
service is available by calling his Mobile No: 017-881 7938
(call anytime, he really does not mind). IS THAT SERVICE OR
WHAT?
The welcome service includes mooring assistance between 0800
to 2000 hours, an information pack on the marina facilities,
free loan of a plug for shore power (unheard of) and assistance
with immigration - including transport to the various offices
4 miles away for a modest RM50. Not forgetting a guided tour
of the marina facilities, unless you really insist that you'd
rather go straight to the bar for a cold one - or to the showers
first for the ladies.
So what about that list of "minor" jobs and running repairs
that seems to miraculously appear every time you take your favourite
child on the water? Here again the customer is put first with
a "can do" approach.
Electrical and minor mechanical repairs can be handled economically
and efficiently by Kuma and his team at a rate of RM40/hour
(do not forget that name),  and
they have a resident diver for hull cleaning and other underwater
jobs. Labor for cleaning and polishing of topsides is available
at RM20/hour. These prices are discountable for jobs taking
more then a day or two. If you need a haul out they have a 16-ton
crane on site at RM50/hour. With a few hours notice a 30-ton
or even a 50-ton crane can be arranged for RM150/hour and RM200/hour
respectively. However, there are no cradle facilities at present
for the bigger boats. Even then we were told that if the work
was likely to take several days they would construct a cradle
to suit. "CAN DO".
Port Dickson has a number of small workshops that can mend -
even if on a temporary basis - almost anything. Rewinding of
alternator and starter motors is considered usual; welding missing
teeth onto a starter motor pinion can be done but takes a little
longer.  Hydraulic
hoses are available, as are sail repair facilities - but not
stainless steel wire to replace broken shrouds or safety lines.
In other words, if it can be fixed they can fix it, but if it
needs a new one then one has to look farther afield. Even then
one can drive to KL in an hour on the new toll road, or even
to Singapore in 3 hours. The services are constantly being expanded
and they expect to establish a chandlery facility when there
is sufficient demand.
For provisions there is a very adequate mini-mart a few miles
down the road in Port Dickson. For larger boats wishing to stock
up there is a MACRO store 30-minutes drive away in Serembang.
The marina offers good bar and dining facilities for short stopovers.
However, for those staying longer, or who wish to party, then
try Serembang first before making the one hour trip to KL.  Note:
taxis in Malaysia are affordable so forget about hiring a car.
Accommodation is presently limited at the marina as they have
sold most of the 345 units with only a few 1 and 2-bedroom units
left. However, accommodation in Port Dickson is presently plentiful
with 50% discounts the order of the day; so now is the time
to make that visit.
This really is the ideal location for a long stopover, either
as a destination marina over the holidays or as a stopping off
point on the way to or from Langkawi or Phuket. Whether you
travel by road or by sea you will find a warm welcome waits
you from the smiling and friendly staff of Admiral Marina and
Leisure Club. You won't be disappointed. |
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