Traveling to Misool islands in Raja Ampat

Most of the visitors who go to Raja Ampat complain about the cost of traveling which they think is very expensive. There are 40 liveaboards (wooden sailing boats) that provide dive services to scuba divers who want to explore the beauty of the underwater world of Raja Ampat. These liveaboards sail throughout Raja Ampat to many of its best dive sites that are located in remote islands of the regency where their coral reefs are still in pristine condition with high marine biodiversity. Most of these liveboards are equipped with satellite phones which tourists can use in emergency situation to contact their loved ones. Each guest room is Air Conditioned. At the stern of the boat, modern dive equipment has been prepared by dive masters and boat crews ready to be used by guests. Meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner) and snacks are served regularly. That's the main reason why the cost of traveling with liveaboards is considered very high. However, you will get what you have paid for.

If you are a person who are adventurous and want to see the islands backpacking, I can provide you with some  simple explanation. 
The cheapest way to explore Raja Ampat
Traveling to Waisai (the capital of Raja Ampat regency) can easily be done by fast boat from Sorong. The usual rate is Rp. 120,000 (one hundred twenty thousand rupiahs). Another destination that I highly recommend is the Misool islands that are located in the south of the regency. KM Sabuk Nusantara 32 sails regularly from Sorong to Yellu/ Harapan Jaya in Misool. After that the ship passes through tens of small islands of Misool to Bula in East Seram. This vessel connects the Sourthern areas of Raja Ampat regency with East Seram. In East Seram, KM Sabuk Nusantara 32 visits Bula, Geser, Gorom, and Kesui. Then she will continue her trip to Fakfak, Kaimana and Timika. Go to Pelabuhan Rakyat in Sorong to find boats that go to other islands in Raja Ampat. So, don't be sad if you cannot afford for a diving package offered by various liveaboards on the internet. You can still see the natural beauty of Raja Ampat in a much cheaper price that is more suitable to your pocket.

Because the vessel goes only to Harapan Jaya in Misool islands, you will not be able to go to remote islands that have been famous as diving destinations. You can still enjoy snorkeling in the coral reef in the islands near Yellu or Harapan Jaya. Contact local fishermen to help you find the reefs.

Another world class travel destination in West Papua is the Iris strait and Triton bay of Kaimana. The underwater environment of the Iris strait is unique because it is mostly covered by soft coral. 

Diving site and Coral Reef in Timor Leste

Coral reef preservation is always related to sustainable diving. Traveling to Timor Leste has been my dream for years. Unfortunately, I haven't got enough time to arrange such trip. In addition, there are not any travel deals to East Timor offered by tour and travel agency here. This kind of tourism can better inform the public about how important it is to protect the sea environment. One of the best but least known diving sites in the world is Coral Reef of Timor Leste.

I just knew its existence after watching a TV program aired by Timor Leste's national TV, TVTL. The coral reef of Timor Leste is located less than one hour driving from Dilli, the capital town of Timor Leste. It is a small country located between Australia and Indonesia. The natural beauty of Timor Leste is extraordinary.

After arriving in at the beach, scuba divers wear their diving suites and slowly walk to the sea water. The coral reef is still in good condition and has become the national asset for the state's economy.

The national government of Timor Leste is serious in promoting the diving site. TVTL is a national TV station of the country that runs in Portuguese. English speaking divers who are interested to go there can find more information about the region from the internet. It seems that the East Timorese have a number of websites which they update regularly.

I think, you can fly to Timor Leste from Bali, the hub of Indonesia's tourism industry, by Merpati. It is an Indonesian state owned company. by Charles Roring in Manokwari of West Papua - Indonesia

P.S. All pictures, the coral reef and the sunset, in this article were taken from the TV show aired by TVTL. Read more: Diving Boat General Arrangement Consideration

Diving Boat General Arrangement Consideration

by Charles Roring in Manokwari of West Papua - Indonesia

As naval architects, we usually begin our project design with calculations. We tend to focus more of our attention on principal dimensions such as type of ship or boat, the length overall, breadth moulded, depth moulded and prismatic and block coefficient. It is true that such principal dimensions are needed by the ship or boat designer to carry out detailed calculations including the resistance, propulsion, structural strength and the cost of construction.

A boat type which needs special design consideration from naval architects is diving boat. Diving boat is used by scuba divers in various marine parks around the world for accessing the coral reef. Most of the corals are located in shallow sea water. Therefore, when naval architects want to design the boats, they need to consider some important factors below:

The depth of boat

Because the diving boat operates in shallow water the depth of the boat should not more than five meters. It is better to have a smaller depth so that the hull bottom, keel and the propeller will not hit coral reef.

Twin hull or catamaran

In recent days, naval architects have introduced twin hull design for diving boat. This is a very good breakthrough for safe operation of the diving boat in the marine protected areas. Besides twin hull boat or catamaran has smaller depth moulded, it also has better stability. Catamaran can go to coral reef whose depth from the sea surface is around or less than 3 meters.

Wider deck area

A diving boat needs a wider deck area which is needed by dive operators for the placement of air bottles, compressor. A wider deck area means better movement for the divers to move around.

Diving platform

This is a lower deck which is constructed at the back of the diving boat or yacht which scuba divers use to climb to the boat. Usually there is a small stair which connects the diving platform with the main deck

Small freeboard

Most diving boats have small freeboard with ladder installed on both sides of the boat. After diving, scuba divers can come up to the surface and climb the boat from port or starboard side of the boat.

Diving is a fun yet dangerous sport. Naval architects need to design a room in the boat which can be used as an "emergency hospital" in case of accidents at sea. Divers can become victims of shark. Therefore, adequate first aid equipment is needed in the boat beside the diving equipment.

There are still more factors such as the sewage system and propulsion unit which I need to explain in this article but I think I should write them in another article. Also read: Designing Lines Plan with Fastship and Fastship and Delftship for Naval Architects