Indonesia to Australia - a plea for help

[Sanderling_]

All,

My son, Chris, is currently cycling around the world (see his website) and he is keen to find a way to get right around without flying at all.

Whilst he is currently in Vietnam, after negociating the Thai floods, his next problem will be getting from Indonesia to Australia early in the New Year as there seem to be no ferries that run across the Timor Sea.

My question is where is he best advised to head for to try to cadge a passage to Australia, is Jakata a regular stepping off point for cruisers or does he need to head further east?

Also, does anyone here know of someone who is expecting to make this passage after Christmas who would look to take on an extra hand for the trip?

Thanks
Tony

 

[prv]

No experience of that part of the world, and when I've sailed as crew it's been friends-of-friends or invited back after a trip as a paying punter, so I'm not particularly qualified to comment. But I read this article the other month, and it rang true to me:

Catching a Ride Across the Atlantic
A yotty lets off steam – and provides a few tips.
by Jill Dickin Schinas


In summary - a big list of reasons why nobody wants hitch-hikers, followed by a few reasons maybe people shouldn't want to be a hitch-hiker. Finally, then, some advice on how to do it if you're determined to try anyway. And surprising as it may seem as you read the first section, I know the author has taken at least two hitch-hikers since writing it, with success all round.

Pete

 

[AndrewB]

Early in the new year would not be a good time for a yacht crossing from Indonesia to Australia as it is the height of the cyclone season.

If he can wait till later in the year there is the annual Darwin to Ambon yacht race in August, might hitch back. Alternatively the Sail Indonesia rally between Darwin and Singapore, check the web site for boats looking for additional crew.

 

[Reverend Ludd]

Early in the new year would not be a good time for a yacht crossing from Indonesia to Australia as it is the height of the cyclone season.

If he can wait till later in the year there is the annual Darwin to Ambon yacht race in August, might hitch back. Alternatively the Sail Indonesia rally between Darwin and Singapore, check the web site for boats looking for additional crew.

Maybe head for the port and try and find a freighter.

 

[prv]

Maybe head for the port and try and find a freighter.

Without STCW95 and whatever other mandatory courses / qualifications?

Might have worked in the 70s, but not now.

Pete

 

[Reverend Ludd]

Without STCW95 and whatever other mandatory courses / qualifications?

Might have worked in the 70s, but not now.

Pete

Not true.
That may be the case for UK flagged vessels.

 

[prv]

Not true.
That may be the case for UK flagged vessels.

I am certainly far from expert in the field, but my understanding is that STCW 95 is worldwide (administered by the IMO) and applies to all professional seafarers on oceangoing ships. The type of training it requires obviously differs extensively between a second officer and a deckhand, but even the lowliest hinge-greaser is supposed to have basic safety training and a bit of paper to say so.

Sure, some states are going to interpret things in a more relaxed fashion, but even if our hitchhiker finds himself some Umbongistanian tramp steamer with a flexible attitude to regulation, why is the captain going to want to supplement his crew of mostly-experienced Filipino seamen with one awkward white guy with no seagoing experience who's only going to cause him headaches? The only reason I can see is a worthwhile "gift" to the captain, which seems unlikely from someone bumming around on a bike.

Pete

 

[Reverend Ludd]

I am certainly far from expert in the field, but my understanding is that STCW 95 is worldwide (administered by the IMO) and applies to all professional seafarers on oceangoing ships. The type of training it requires obviously differs extensively between a second officer and a deckhand, but even the lowliest hinge-greaser is supposed to have basic safety training and a bit of paper to say so.

Sure, some states are going to interpret things in a more relaxed fashion, but even if our hitchhiker finds himself some Umbongistanian tramp steamer with a flexible attitude to regulation, why is the captain going to want to supplement his crew of mostly-experienced Filipino seamen with one awkward white guy with no seagoing experience who's only going to cause him headaches? The only reason I can see is a worthwhile "gift" to the captain, which seems unlikely from someone bumming around on a bike.

Pete

Except from IMO

"The measures suggested are not mandatory and the examples given are only intended to illustrate how certain Convention requirements may be complied with. However, the recommendations in general represent an approach that has been harmonized by discussions within IMO and consultation with other international organizations."

Anyway it was only an idea, even Filipino crew might like someone else to wash-up or hoover.

 

[prv]

Except from IMO

"The measures suggested are not mandatory and the examples given are only intended to illustrate how certain Convention requirements may be complied with. However, the recommendations in general represent an approach that has been harmonized by discussions within IMO and consultation with other international organizations."

Yes, that text applies to Part B of the STCW Code, the non-mandatory part. Part A is the mandatory bit and apparently has a table of requirements for seafarers' training. Sadly, I can't see to find a copy.

even Filipino crew might like someone else to wash-up or hoover.

Someone washing up or hoovering is still crew.

Anyway it was only an idea,

Yep, and I didn't mean to highjack the thread into a discussion on international maritime conventions . I'd have thought my brief "sorry, won't work, you need qualifications these days" post would have been enough.

I think the OP's son is best off trying to find a yacht if he insists on travelling by sea. Andrew's suggestions look like good leads.

Pete

 

[prv]

One other thing - presumably he's going to have a bike with him, and perhaps other associated gear? Someone offering a crew berth is going to be expecting a moderate-sized kitbag. Might be worth having a plan B for the bike (Fedex?) as it'll make it a lot easier (ie, perhaps possible) to find a berth.

Pete

 

[Reverend Ludd]

Yes, that text applies to Part B of the STCW Code, the non-mandatory part. Part A is the mandatory bit and apparently has a table of requirements for seafarers' training. Sadly, I can't see to find a copy.

Someone washing up or hoovering is still crew.

Yep, and I didn't mean to highjack the thread into a discussion on international maritime conventions . I'd have thought my brief "sorry, won't work, you need qualifications these days" post would have been enough.

I think the OP's son is best off trying to find a yacht if he insists on travelling by sea. Andrew's suggestions look like good leads.

Pete

Couldn't find A & B but the thing is, not every country has signed up to this convention. In practice (on the ground as it were) not all ships are interested in the IMO certification. I'd imagine the far corners of the world worry about papers lessens.
Just found out 133 countries signed up to IMO out of 195.

 

[Niall1975]

I spoke to the marine guys on board the rig who are all ex container ship crew from one of the largest companies, only payed crew were required to have their STCW. Passengers, even on the container ships (Their wives usually) did not require it.

Niall

 

[Sanderling_]

Thanks guys, useful stuff.

He understands that experience is no substitute for qualifications in this day and age!!

A good point about the cyclone season, he is following it south all autumn. All the ads on Crewseekers in the spring seems to be heading the other way, north from Aus. I agree that a freighter is his most likely solution for this leg; it is the only way he is going to get across from NZ to Chile next year. On this basis, probably either Singapore or Jakarta is as good a place as any to head for.

Tony

 

[prv]

only payed crew were required to have their STCW. Passengers, even on the container ships (Their wives usually) did not require it.

Yep, that's what I'd expect. There is a small market for passengers on commercial ships - some friends of my parents did it the other year as she's scared of flying. But the assumption here seemed to be the old idea of "working his passage" after a dockside jump, not booking with head office via an agent and paying a couple of hundred dollars per day.

(If the cost of travelling as a passenger is acceptable, then it's probably the most reliable option besides flying.)

Pete

 

[Crabman]

Have a look at this http://www.marinetraffic.com/ais/ then contact the shipping agent in the required area . Explain he is doing it for charity. Fantastic adventure . Well done .

 

[V1701]

I used Findacrew to get a passage from Thailand to the Maldives, paid my share of food, fuel and ports of call expenses. Then I didn't have any sailing experience but spent a couple of days with the skipper to see if we got on. His first question was whether I was a decent cook. It's not cheap but he can look at all the boats & where they're going first and pay if there are some whose schedules fit his. Best of luck to him...

 

[fishermantwo]

Cruise Ship. An alternative to flying would be a cruise ship Singapore to Perth or Darwin.