Raffles Marina, Singapore

3^rd - 31^st October 2006

Voyaging from Thailand to Malaysia and on to Singapore took no time with a typical cruising speed of 6 or 7 knots that sometimes reached well over 10. Infinity moves like a dream. We sailed with the wind on the beam, close to the stern and almost off the bow, learning as much as we could in this short trip about the capabilities of this vessel.

We entered the Singapore Straits in an eerie haze, the madness of the shipping traffic diluted by the mist around us. Caused by the fires in Sumatra, it endured for almost the entire month we stayed in Singapore.
Arriving at Raffles Marina provoked many memories, especially as familiar faces caught our heaving lines while docking. The marina was busier than we have ever seen it and it felt really good to become part of the action.

Our first docking space happened to be right beside l’Attitude, the yacht belonging to our dear friend Yves de Leeneer who supported us greatly during the 2001 dry-dock in Singapore. He has become a permanent resident at Raffles Marina. Within minutes, Gaie, Laser and Yves were deep in conference on the hit-list of tasks to be completed and sponsors required to reach the goal of having a fully equipped expedition ship ready in just a few weeks. It took less than 48 hours to secure our first major sponsor and with Yves' help, they kept flowing towards us on a steady current of support.

The work began – steady hands and calm minds thinking through what seemed at times to be an almost impossible list of things to be done. It was a time of celebration in Singapore – the Muslim community celebrating Hari Raya (the end of Ramadan) and the Hindus, Deepavali (the festival of Light). We received gifts from strangers who became friends during these weeks – including support from Compass Energy and Brunel International; a generator donated from Seagull Marine; an electrical panel by S&W Engineering; a Viking liferaft and Jotun paint; a complete replacement of our shrouds by Mooreast; food supported by Dirk, Little Ferry and Sinwa; and fuel from Singapore Petroleum. We were deeply touched and honored by the concern these individuals and companies had for the conservation of coral reefs and oceans - we were humbled by the generosity and appreciation that flowed to us in order to get us back out at sea.

In the midst of this cyclone of intensity gathering around Infinity, PCRF and Raffles Marina signed a memorandum of understanding regarding a long-term collaboration. SV Infinity is now a ‘floating club’ for Raffles Marina and its members, and plans are underway to further the work with coral reef education and science in the Aseanarean Seas. A beautiful ceremony was held with Francis Lee and Gaie signing the MOU surrounded by visiting sailors who had traveled from far and wide to rendez-vous in Singapore, heart of Asia.

We hosted children from a the German
European school and from yachts in the marina. We showed many curious visitors our ship and introduced them to the work of PCRF, despite Infinity frequently looking more like a construction site than a sailing vessel! And, as well, AsiaOne came on baord to make a small film about PCRF and the student program at sea. To view that story, click here.

We delayed our departure, pushing back a few days at a time the inevitable severance from the ease of being tied to a floating dock. But at last the time came to cast the lines and for us to sail into the blue. This time we head out to sea knowing that we have a true home port at Raffles Marina and friends that grasp our dream. It will be good to come ‘home’ again in 2008.