Sixteen yachts register for Darwin-Ambon race

Antara News, Wed, June 8 2011

Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - The committee has registered at least 16 yachts for participation in the Darwin-Ambon Yacht Race 2011 which will be held next July, the organizer said.

"There are 30 yachts willing to take part in the race but up to now only 16 have registered," coordinator of the Darwin-Ambon Yacht Race 2011, Hellen de Lima said here on Wednesday.

She said that the number of participants would certainly increase as registration would remain open until June 30, 2001.

"A couple of days ago, five participants said they would soon send application data to the organizers," she said.

The 16 yachts which have registered with 68 crew are Australia Maid with skipper John Wardill, Breakaway (Alan Chalk), Even Karma (John Hardy), Freedom Express (Ross McCombe), Game Set (John Mulkearns), Pandora (Rick Setter), Raucous (Bob Colman), Scot Free II (Barrie Morgan).

Others include Shady Lady with skipper Peter Charles), Solace III (Roger Hatten), Xscape (Andrew Boller), Fantasia (Andrew Stransky), Wicked (Danny Foley), Lady Bubbly (Chris Mitchell), Parlay (Ray Jones) and Maralinga (John Jordan).

The Darwin-Ambon Yacht Race 2011 would be kicked off at Darwin port of Australia on July 23, 2011. It is expected to finish at Amahusu beach, Nusaniwe subdistrict, Ambon on July 25.

In the meatime, Coordinating Minister for People`s Welfare Agung Laksono flanked by Marine Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad officially launched the Sail Wakatobi Belitong (SWB) or Sail Indonesia 2011 in Jakarta Tuesday (June 7).

The launching was expected to help promote the international mariners` event to the public worldwide, Minister Fadel said according to a press release of the marine affairs and fisheries ministry here Wednesday.

The SWB 2011 is being held in Wakatobi, Southeast Sulawesi Province, and Belitung in Bangka Belitung (Babel) Province.

The SWB 2011 is continuation of Sail Indonesia 2009 in Bunaken, and Bitung in North Sulawesi Province, and Sail Indonesia 2010 in Banda, Maluku.

At least 200 domestic and foreign participants will join the marine event, and 94 of them from 16 countries have so far registered themselves.

Editor: Jafar M Sidik

Maluku needs Rp 17.51t for marine resources management

The Jakarta Post, Antara, Ambon | Tue, 05/17/2011

The eastern Indonesian Province of Maluku until 2016 needs a total funds of Rp17.51 trillion for its local marine and fishery resources management program.

"Such an amount of funds is needed for the programs of capture fisheries development, fish cultivation, fish processing, post harvest, fishery resources conservation, and marine and fisheries research and technology," local maritime and fisheries office spokesman Bastian Mainassy said here on Tuesday.

He said that of the Rp17.51 trillion of funds, Rp5.43 billion would be allocated to capture fisheries, Rp4.49 trillion for fish and seaweed cultivation, Rp2.56 trillion for processing fish and seaweed processing factories and their facilities, Rp2.41 trillion for human resources development, and Rp2.61 trillion for for researches.

Bastian said the need of the funds had been conveyed to Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry to be accommodated in the state budget with the involvement of private companies.

"We have the potential for sustainable fish around 1.64 million tons per year or 26.3 percent of the national fish but only 300 to 500 tons have been used per year," he said.

Bastian said Maluku fish potential was also supported by fish cultivation areas of 495,300 hectares, fresh water fish cultivation area of 36,251 hectares, and swampy water cultivation area of 191,150 hectares.

Rp 950b targeted for Maluku fish export project

The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Tue, 03/01/2011

The government is targeting to invest Rp 950 billion (US$108.3 million) in efforts to make Maluku province the world’s biggest seafood exporter by 2015.

Previously, the Maluku governor requested Rp 16 trillion for the purpose, but the amount was declined.

Up to Rp 120 billion will be channeled toward fish farming.

Fishing from the ocean dominated 2009’s fish production, Fadel said.

“This catching method will be changed to an industry more focused on farming,” he said.

The government is planning to build fish ports to support the export activity. Up to 12 areas in region are likely to be developed for this purpose, he said.

The government will allocate Rp 2 billion to build ports, but its plan will also need at least Rp 2 trillion in investment.

According to the government, Maluku has the potential to produce 1.6 million tons of fish a year.

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Yudhoyono calls for maritime resurgence

M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon | Wed, 08/04/2010 9:04 AM

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said he hoped that the 2010 Sail Banda festival would create momentum for Indonesia to improve its maritime resource management.

Show of force: Several warships sail in formation
during the main event of the Sail Banda 2010
maritime festival at Yos Sudarso Port in Ambon,
Maluku, on Tuesday.President Susilo Bambang
Yudhoyono attended the parade on Tuesday.
JP/Nurhayati

“I’ve requested the maritime affairs and fisheries minister boost productivity in the marine and fishery sectors to ensure that we emerge as one of the world’s leading fish producers in the near future,” Yudhoyono said Tuesday in a speech to mark the festival’s peak at the Yos Sudarso port in Ambon.

Yudhoyono said the event should encourage the younger generation to be devoted to the sea and optimize the exploitation of the sea’s wealth for the nation’s benefit, as well as empower coastal communities in remote and outer islands.

“Make sure that the fishing industry is followed by the increase in the number of fishing fleets and empowerment of Indonesian fishing crews. Make sure that the fishery and maritime sector can absorb manpower and boost economic growth,” he said.

Yudhoyono also gave his support for Maluku to become the national fish center given the island province’s overflowing maritime resources.

“I am in favor of the initiative of the people of Maluku and the government to make Maluku a national fish center,” he said.

Yudhoyono said the government would immediately instruct relevant agencies to assist the development of the province’s maritime and fishery sectors.

“The government is committed to improving the infrastructure of the maritime and fishery sectors. We will continue to build more fishing ports and fish processing facilities,” he said.

Maluku is situated in the “golden fishing grounds” of the Arafura, Seram and Banda seas, where the combined fisheries resources amounts to 1.64 million tons annually.

“We must take advantage of this huge potential for the sake of public welfare,” he said.

The territorial waters of Maluku — which span more than 600,000 square kilometers and contain more than 1,400 small islands — is prone to poaching by foreign vessels.

Yudhoyono said that maritime security had to be heightened to curb fish theft.

One festival highlight was Operation Bakti Surya Baskara Jaya, which provided free medical care to more than 37,000 patients across the islands.

Medical aid was given on shore and on board several naval vessels, such as the KRI Dr. Soeharso from Indonesia, the USNS Mercy from the US, the RSS Endeavour from Singapore and the HMAS Labuan and HMAS Tarakan from Australia.

More than 500 youths from several provinces traveled to Maluku aboard the KM Makassar to take part in the festival. Other highlights will include the National Cultural Festival, which will include 750 participants from across the country; a national sailing race; competitions in diving and underwater photography; a fisheries exhibition; local cultural performances; a mangrove planting and a feast featuring 2010 different fish dishes.

The government’s job?: Hundreds of people queue up to get free medical treatment at Tulehu Public Hospital in Central Maluku on Monday. The free medication was provided by the US, UK, Singapore and other countries participating in the 2010 Sail Banda regatta. JP/Nurhayati

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Darwin mayor wants yacht race to Ambon maintained

Antara News, Monday, August 2, 2010 17:42 WIB

Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - The annual Darwin-Ambon Yacht Race will be maintained as it is having a major impact on the continuity of the sister-city cooperation between Darwin and Ambon, the Australian city`s mayor said.

Darwin Mayor Graeme Sawyer said here on Monday the race was of great importance to the strengthening of the Darwin-Ambon sister city cooperative ties.

Sawyer admitted the prestigious international yacht race was also important to strengthen the relations between the peoples of Darwin and Ambon.

"The people of Darwin have a very friendly relationship with their friends in Ambon, and thus they make use of the yacht race every year to visit Maluku provincial capital," Sawyer said.

He expressed optimism that in the years to come the participant of the Darwin-Ambon Yacht Race would continue to increase following conducive situation in Ambon after almost three-year sectarian violence from 1999-2002.

The Darwin to Ambon Yacht Race was initially organized by the Cruising Yacht Association of the Northern Territory Incorporated (CYANT).

That Association ran the event from 1976 until 1998 when it was suspended for safety and security reasons.

The 600 mile downwind race attracted six yachts in its inaugural year.

For months afterwards, conversation amongst returning yachties was dominated by stories of "champagne sailing", overwhelming hospitality, lovely friendly people, the scenic beauty, the cultural diversity, the food, and an annual event not to be missed.

Entries steadily increased over the years as the event?s reputation spread and its tradition grew.

International skippers began to use Ambon as a starting point to visit some of the 13,000 islands of the Indonesian Archipelago. Some sailed north to Manado and onto the Raja Muda Selangor Regatta in Malaysia.

Others headed southwest to the amazing Buton Passage and then on to visit the famous Komodo Dragons en route to Makassar or Bali and beyond.

A big factor in the growing popularity of the race was related to the excellent facilities Darwin offered for yachts and their crews. For many, Darwin would be the last access to western comforts and familiar language for many months.

Maluku set to serve up a fishy world record

M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon | Sat, 07/31/2010 10:39 AM

The organizers of a celebratory feast coinciding with the Sail Banda maritime festival in Maluku are attempting to make history by serving a world record number of fish dishes all at once.

The national Makang Patita communal food feast will present 2,010 different fish recipes on Sunday.

The organizers have called on the Indonesian Record Museum to witness the event.

As the organizers laid out preparations for the endeavour, 45 yachts competing in a yacht race that kicked off in Darwin, Australia, last Friday, arrived in Banda Neira, 132 kilometers southeast of Ambon, the capital of Maluku.

The Sail Banda festival will reach its climax on Aug. 3 when President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono arrives to declare Maluku as the nation’s fish center.

Ambon Deputy Mayor Olivia Latuconsina said the food festival represented the public’s contribution to Sail Banda.

Makang Patita is a traditional communal feast that typically accompanies ceremonies or parties in Maluku.

“The Makang Patita is part of the public’s direct involvement in making the Sail Banda event a success as well as showing the world the local wisdom of our region,” Latuconsina told The Jakarta Post in Ambon on Friday.

The feast of 2,010 fish recipes will be arranged by the Ambon City Family Welfare Movement in coordination with its district chapters.

Suryadi Sabirin, chairman of the feast organizing committee, said his team would distribute 25 kinds of fish to the movement’s members.

The food festival will span from the state treasury building in Ambon to Trikora Monument, and every subdistrict in the province will set up its own stand to present their unique dishes.

The event will run from 9 a.m. until 11 a.m. local time. The records museum will announce whether the feat is successful at 2 p.m.

The Maluku Food Reliance Agency said Maluku was ready to break the record.

“The feat is being carried out to show that Maluku is ready to become the national fish center. The effort will not only break the national record but also the world record and can be listed in the Guinness Book of World Records,” Sabirin said.

He said the national record museum’s certificate would be presented to Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu on Aug. 3.

Meanwhile, Maluku Police office have heightened security ahead President’s arrival, dispatching 263 officers to several hotels in Ambon.

Harold Huwae, police deputy chief, said that 1,500 personnel would be involved in ensuring the President’s security.

“The personnel will be assigned to strategic sites, including Patti-mura airport, sea ports and hotels,” he said.

The National Makang Patita communal food feast will present 2,010 different fish recipes on Sunday.

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Yachts brave rough seas reaching Banda, more to come

M. Azis Tunny, The Jakarta Post, Ambon | Thu, 07/29/2010 9:21 AM

Waves reaching about 5 meters high had 25 yachts taking part in the Sail Banda international maritime event trail behind 21 others, which had reached Banda Neira, located around 132 kilometers southeast of Maluku capital of Ambon.

The yachts, flagged off at Darwin’s Cullen Bay in Australia on Saturday to mark the start of the event, was earlier scheduled to reach Banda Neira, a group of islands renowned for its splendid underwater garden, in Central Maluku regency on Tuesday.

“Until Wednesday noon, 21 yachts had anchored.

“The rest are still on the way,” the Sail Banda 2010 organizing committee secretary, Ansori Jawawi, told The Jakarta Post on Wednesday.

“They have been slowed down by the big waves reaching 5 meters high in Banda Sea,” he added.

Despite the big waves, he said the participants would not face problems since the committee was backed by the Navy, the Search and Rescue team and others tightly guarding the participating yachts.

“So far, there’s been no problem,” he said.

Ansori said the first yacht to reach Banda was the Convergence.

The vessel reached Banda at 5 p.m. on Monday.

It took the ship’s six-member crew, captained by Randy Repass, 54 hours to reach Banda from Darwin.

Convergence was one of 109 ships taking part in the maritime event, with participants coming from 19 countries.

Out of the 109 ships, 46 set sail to Banda, 62 to Kupang in East Nusa Tenggara and another through Bangka-Belitung.

Jawawi said that within the next three months, the participating ships would stopover in 18 regencies in the country’s eight provinces — Maluku, East Nusa Tenggara, West Nusa Tenggara, Bali, Central Java, Southeast Sulawesi, South Kalimantan and Bangka-Belitung.

After Banda, the yachts will set sail to Ambon on July 31 where the participants are scheduled to take part in a series of activities including visiting tourist sites and participating in cultural festivals.

“The activities in Ambon are scheduled to run until Aug. 5 and then the participants will set sail to Wakatobi,” Jawawi said.

President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono is scheduled to host a reception to entertain the participants in Ambon from Aug. 3-4.

After Ambon, the yachts are set to continue their trip to Wakatobi in Southeast Sulawesi.

Separately, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad said the Sail Banda was the right moment to make Banda known once again.

“The government will try to make it happen.

“To make Banda known by the world again,” he said.

Banda islands are made up of three larger islands and seven smaller ones perched on the rim of the country`s deepest sea, the Banda Sea.

International divers estimated that the underwater garden in Banda Neira has approximately 400 flora and fauna species of wide diversity.

Mercy visit: The US Navy's USNS Mercy hospital ship docks in the Gulf of Jakarta on Wednesday. The ship will take part in the Sail Banda 2010, which is scheduled to run from late July to August.Antara/Fanny Octavianus

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Singapore navy taking part in Sail Banda

Antara News, Tuesday, July 27, 2010 10:30 WIB

Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - The Singapore Navy is ready to support the Bhakti Surya Bhaskara Jaya (SBJ) operations during the international yacht event of Sail Banda 2010, a Singapore Navy commandant said.

"We are ready to support the SBJ activities with a number of medical and construction skilled personnel to rehabilitate schools and worship houses," Commandant of Singapore ship RSS Endeavor-210, Kenny Chen, said.

Kenny Chen met with Ambon`s Naval Base IX deputy commandant Col Eddy Sugiatmo and a number of the Naval Base officers here on Monday. The meeting took place aboard the RSS Endeavour when the Singapore ship berthed at Ambon`s Yos Sudarso pier.

Kenny Chen said he was happy with the opportunity to visit Ambon and other regions in Indonesia to carry out a humanitarian mission in the health field together with other medical teams of the US biggest hospital ship USNS Mercy T-AH 19. USNS Mercy has dropped anchor in Ambon Bay since Monday morning.

Apart from RSS Endeavor and USNS Mercy, Australia also sent two ships of the Landing Craft Heavy (LCH) type from its navy fleet, namely HMAS Labuan and HMAS Tarakan to take part in the humanitarian mission.

Eddy Sugiatmo expressed his thanks for the presence of the medial teams and naval ships of the neighboring countries which came to Ambon to support the SBJ activities held here until August 4, 2010.

"The SBJ operation is one of the Indonesian government and the National Defense Forces (TNI) programs organized to improve the welfare and health of the local people, particularly those living on small islands" he said.

KRI Soeharso to conduct Humanitarian mission in Maluku

Antara News, Saturday, July 3, 2010 16:55 WIB

KRI dr Soeharso 990 - kapal rumah sakit milik TNI-AL (photo : Marinir)

Surabaya, E Java (ANTARA News) - Indonesian Navy floating hospital KRI dr. Soeharso-990 will conduct a humanitarian mission in Ambon, Maluku for about six weeks.

Chief of Navy Eastern Fleet Command for public information Major Kariono said here on Saturday that the war ship turned floating hospital would take part in Surya Baskara Jaya health operation service in Maluku as part of Sail Banda 2010 civic mission.

"The Surya Baskara Jaya health service activity at Maluku waters is part of international marine event of Sail Banda 2010," Kariono said.

He said the navy personnel on board KRI Soeharso who join the Surya Baskara Jaya operation would give free health services such as a general treatment, dental treatment, minor and major surgeries, and other medical treatments for the people of coastal and remote areas in Maluku.

"It is the realization of the attention form the Navy and the country to the people at coastal and remote areas who have so far found it difficult to get adequate health services," Kariono said.

KRI dr. Soeharso-990 is a ship with facility equal to B Class Hospital which is completed by Emergency Installation, polyclinic, surgery room, ICU, and treatment room.

This KRI is also used to support program in remote areas, coasts, islands, and the border (DTPK) cooperating with other related ministries.

KRI dr. Soeharso-990 will join Singapore` Navy floating hospital RSS Endeavor and US Navy floating hospital USNS Mercy T-AH 19 to Sail Banda civic mission in Maluku.

On Saturday, July 3, KRI Suharso and USNS Mercy will sail to Buru Island in Central Maluku district and then to Ambon and several other target areas," Wiranto said.

A number of scout personnel, students, youths, medical personnel and paramedics on board the three floating hospitals would give medical and social services to the people living in coastal areas in small islands in the provinces of Maluku and North Maluku.

Forty one sail boats registered in Sail Banda

Antara News, Friday, June 18, 2010 13:09 WIB

Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - At least 41 foreign sail boats had registered for Sail Banda scheduled for July and August 2010.

Coordinator of the Sail Banda local committee, Cak Saimima, said in Ambon Friday that registration is still open until the middle of July 2010.

The participating sail boats were scheduled to be seen off at Darwin, Northern Territory, on July 24, 2010.

The participants were expected to have arrived at Banda, Central Maluku regency, on July 27, 2010.

Saimima said that the participants from Darwin will be heading for Banda and received with art and cultural performances, and directed to various maritime tourism, and historical and cultural objects for three days.

The route from Banda to Ambon, with the peak program of President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono declaring Maluku as the main national fish supplier is scheduled on August 3, 2010.

Various activities like national and international seminars on marine resources, coasts and small islands, art and cultural performances, visiting tourism objects, and a feast at Ambon Bay.

President SBY based on Decision No 35 of 2009 dated December 14, 2009, declared Banda, Ambon city and Tiakur, the capital of South West Maluku regency, are the locations of Sail Banda.

Marine sports event aims to heal local welfare woes

Dina Indrasafitri, The Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 06/12/2010 10:18 AM

The Sail Banda event to be held in Maluku promises hope for future economic development and improved welfare a decade after the province was ravaged by bloody sectarian conflict.

Maluku Governor Karel Albert Ralahalu said Friday the government would announce his province as the country’s national fishery buffer stock region.

“We pray that on Aug. 3, 2010, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono will officially announce Maluku as a national fishery storage area and this plan will revive Maluku province’s maritime and fishery development,” he said in a press conference in Jakarta. Sail Banda is slated to kick off next month and will run until mid-August.

The maritime affairs and fisheries minister said the Sail Banda yacht rally would be preceded by a charity event involving the United States’ hospital ship USNS Mercy.

The USNS Mercy, along with local ship KRI Dr. Suharso SHS-990 and ships from Singapore and Australia, will channel aid, as well as procedures related to maternal and child health to a number of areas, including Banda Island and Seram Island.

During an event on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) earlier this year, the Health Ministry cited data from the 2007 basic health research.

It revealed that Maluku ranked second after East Nusa Tenggara in terms of malnutrition.

Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Minister Fadel Muhammad said the event was marked by its philanthropic support. “What makes [Sail Banda] different from Sail Bunaken, is the abundance of social [charity] events,” he said. Last year, the country hosted the Sail Bunaken marine festival off Manado in North Sulawesi.

Karel said that despite progress made since the post-conflict days, Maluku province was still struggling. “During the riots, our economic development growth rate has been minus 26 percent; nowadays… our economic growth is almost 6 percent,” he said, adding that he hoped the Sail Banda would boost the province’s welfare.

Fadel said that his ministry was planning to lure investors from China, Australia and Japan to boost the province’s fishery activity.

The Sail Banda event will feature a number of activities such as marine sports, mangrove planting and the celebration of the nation’s Independence Day in Kisar Island, one of Indonesia’s outermost islands.

The yacht rally is scheduled to flag off from Darwin, Australia on July 24. Thus far, 106 ships from 16 countries have registered.

Coordinating Public Welfare Minister Agung Laksono said the proposed budget for the event was Rp 161 billion.

Maluku coral reefs need optimal management

Antara News, Friday, May 28, 2010 18:04 WIB

Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - Maluku`s coral reef potentials should be managed well and optimally to support the province`s tourism development, coastal area management spokesman Bob Wenno said Friday.

"Maluku should follow the example of North Sulawesi and Papua which are are optimally managing their coral reefs in the Bunaken marine park and Raja Ampat marine park respectively for tourism," Bob Wenno said.

He admitted the coral reefs in Maluku had yet to be optimally managed for tourism because the local government had failed to see that foreign tourists were keenly interested in them.

"Maluku`s crystal-clear waters abound in coral reefs, and therefore the local government should manage and care for them as tourist attractions," Wenno said.

He added that the people should also be given an understanding to keep and preserve the coral reefs along the coastal areas and in the deep seas for their own welfare.

In addition, Wenno said, the local government and people should make every possible effort to maintain the sustainability of the province`s marine ecosystem to attract tourists.

"There is no legal umbrella at present to prevent local fishermen from destroying corral reefs by using fish bombs," Bob Wenno said, adding that all parties in the province should preserve the marine ecosystem.

According to him, the need of coral reefs preservation should be familiarized to the people in Maluku because the damage of marine biological resources would contribute to global warming.

Bob Wenno also called on the local fishermen to stop using fish bombs and toxic substances like potassium cyanide because if they continued to do so, it would destroy the coral reefs and marine biological resources.

Asked about the upcoming international marine event of Sail Banda 2010, Wenno said it would be a strategic event for investors to invest at marine tourism sector in Maluku.

"Sail Banda is expected to raise prestige of tourism in Maluku," he said.

RI, Australia to discuss Maluku`s small island problems

Antara News, Thursday, May 27, 2010 19:11 WIB

Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - Indonesian and Australian government representatives will meet in Ambon on August 4-6, 2010 to discuss problems affecting small islands in Maluku province, a local official said.

The head of Maluku province`s maritime affairs and fisheries office, Polly Kayhattu said here on Thursday the discussions would follow up decisions made at the World Ocean Conference (WOC) which was held as part of Sail Bunaken in Manado, North Sulawesi in July 2009.

He said the conference, themed "Save the Small Islands in Maluku for the Next Generation," was being intensively coordinated by the provincial maritime affairs and fisheries office with the Australian Embassy in Jakarta.

"The international conference between Indonesia and Australia will focus on climate change and its impact on small islands in Maluku province," Kayhattu said.

According to him, matters related to investment in maritime and fisheries sector, illegal fishing, and fisheries management would also be discussed in the conference.

In addition, business meeting and interaction between Maluku and Darwin, Australia, would also be intensified.

"Maluku provincial government is consulting a plan to sign an cooperation agreement with Darwin through a coordination between Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Ministry and Australian Embassy," Kayhattu said.

He added that the Indonesia-Australia conference on small islands in Maluku would coincide with a seafood exhibition involving Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea (PNG) from July 31-August 5, 2010.

"The three countries: Australia, New Zealand, and PNG will also participate in the upcoming international marine event of Sail Banda 2010," he said.

Kayhatto added that the exhibition, themed "Seafood for Quality of Life," would have a strategic value to promote Maluku which is to be declared by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono as the national fish barn here on August 3.

"USNS Mercy" to arrive in Ambon July 29

Antara News, Wednesday, May 26, 2010 18:21 WIB

Ambon, Maluku (ANTARA News) - The United States Navy`s floating hospital, USNS Mercy T-AH-19, is expected to arrive here on July 29, 2010 to support the Surya Baskara Jaya health services operation in Maluku.

Maluku Health Office chief Ms Fat bassalamah said here on Wednesday , the US Navy`s floating hospital would berth at Ambon`s Yos Sudarso pier until August 3, 2010.

"The USNS Mercy will berth at Yos Sudarso pier from July 29 until August 3 to help make Surya Baskara Jaya health service operation a success," Bassalama said, adding that the operation was actually already started last April.

She said the presence of the USNS Mercy would be the realization of the US Navy`s social concern for the people of Maluku to get free medical services as part of the international marine event of Sail Banda 2010.

"The 273-meter long USNS Mercy T-AH-19 with 956 medical personnel and doctors is arguably the most sophisticated vessel in its class to assist the Indonesian Navy`s KRI Dr Soeharso in giving medical services to the people of Maluku," she said.

Bassalamah said the KRI Dr Soeharso and USNS Mercy would give free medical services to people in Ambon while the same was to be done by the Sailing Medical Service (SMS) in the districts of Buru Selatan, West Southeast Maluku (MTB), and Southwest Maluku (MBD).

"In addition, Australia, Malaysia, and Singapore will also send their hospital ships to join the KRI Dr Soeharso and USNS Mercy in the health services operation in the province.

The third-generation USNS Mercy (T-AH-19) is the lead ship in her her class of hospital ships in the United States Navy.

She was named after the virtue of compassion. In accordance with the Geneva Conventions, the USNS Mercy and her crew do not carry any ordnance. Firing on the Mercy is considered a war crime.

The Mercy was originally buildt an oil tanker named SS Worth by the National Steel and Shipbuilding Company, San Diego, California, in 1976.

In July 1984, she was renamed and converted into a hospital ship by the same company.

Launched on 20 July 1985, the USNS Mercy was commissioned on November 8, 1986.

She has a raised forecastle, a transom stem, a bulbous bow, an extended deck house with a forward bridge, and a helicopter-landing deck with a flight control facility.

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700 Youths to Gather in Ambon for Maritime Program

Jakarta Globe, May 24, 2010

About 700 youths are meeting in Ambon for the Sail Banda program. (Photo: JG)

Ambon, Maluku. At least 700 youths will gather in the eastern Indonesian city of Ambon in late July to participate in a “Maritime Teenagers Across Archipelago” program.

“Some 700 youths from across the country are expected to arrive here for the ‘Maritime Teenagers Across Archipelago’ program scheduled for late July until August 4, 2010 as part of the international marine event of Sail Banda 2010,” Sail Banda local committee chairman for youth and sports affairs Azis Lattar said on Monday.

He said the teenagers from across the country would come to Ambon to take part in a camping program with local scouts at Telaga Kodok village in Leihitu sub-district, Ambon.

In addition to the camping program, the teenagers would visit a cultural park in Ambon, have discussions with their peers from Maluku, and take part in a mangrove-planting drive along the coast of Ambon’s Inner Bay.

“We are also making arrangements for the youths to have a dialog with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at the Sail Banda peak event here on August 3, 2010,” Lattar said.

The youths would be transported to Ambon by a number of naval ships, including the KRI Dewaruci and KRI Arung Samudra, which would leave from Sabang, Belawan, Jakarta, Bali, Labuhan Bajo, Ambon and Merauke.

Antara

Various activities in Ambon to mark Sail Banda 2010

Antara News, Saturday, Otniel Tamindael, May 22, 2010 18:07 WIB

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Life in Ambon city in the days during the international marine event of Sail Banda 2010 will be marked by various cultural and social activities.

Cultural and environmental activities such as a music concert and mangrove planting drive will be conducted to grace and mark the upcoming international marine event.

To mark the event, singers of Maluku origin are slated to stage a free concert, "Spirit 2010" on June 20 and 22, 2010 at the beautiful Natsepa Beach in Ambon.

Committee chairman Theny Soparue said in Ambon on Thursday that the free concert was intended to grace the upcoming international marine event of Sail Banda which is to last from June 12 until August 17, 2010.

According to Soparue, at lease 16 singers of Maluku origin such as Dodi Latuharhari, Naruwe, Yoken, Kamba Ipa and others, would entertain the local people for two days at Natsepa Beach.

"Some of the singers and music groups of Maluku origin in Jakarta will also come to highlight the Spirit 2010," Soparue said.

He added that the Spirit 2010 concert was part of the singers participation in gracing the upcoming international marine event of Sail Banda.

"As the singers and artists of Maluku origin, they are called to highlight the international marine event, expected to be of great advantage to this nation," Soparure said.

In addition to the Spirit 2010 music concert, Spraure said there would also be a Sail Banda familiarization from Maluku deputy governor Said Assagaff who is concurrently Sail Banda local committee chairman.

Soparue said Assagaff would give detailed information about Sail Banda.

It was also expected that the people who come for the Spirit 2010 concert will gain an understanding about the importance and advantage of the international marine event and the need to act as good hosts.

"We have to act as good hosts because many foreign tourists will come to Maluku, especially Ambon for the event," Soparue said.

He added that the participants and the guests of Sail Banda would visit many interesting and amazing places such as Natsepa Beach, Hunimua Beach, Pintu Kota Beach, Manuala Beach, Namalatu Beach, Pasir Putih Beach (Alang), Fort Amsterdam , Old Mosque (Kaitetu), Old Church (Hila), and Siwalima Museum in Ambon.

Besides the free music concert by the singers of Maluku origin, an environmentally-related activity, a mangrove tree planting drive, will also be conducted.

At least 2,000 youths will participate in the mangrove tree planting drive along the coast of Ambon Inner Bay on July 30, 2010 as part of the Sail Banda international marine event.

Sail Bada 2010 Civic Mission coordinator Fat Bassalamah said here on Saturday that during the drive each of the 2,000 youths would plant one mangrove tree.

"At least 2,000 youths from the Maluku Protestant Church, Maluku mosques, high schools and university students, and boyscouts, will take part in the one man, one mangrove tree planting drive," Bassalamah said.

He said the mangrove seedlings were being prepared through a coordination with Maluku Forestry Office in cooperation with technical executive unit (UPT) at Forestry Ministry.

"The mangrove planting activity is part of Sail Banda 2010, scheduled for June 12 to August 17, 2010 and President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono`s one-man-one-tree policy," Bassalamah said.

Bassalamah, who is concurrently the chief of Maluku Health Office, said the mangrove planting program was intended to improve the local youths` social awareness of environmental preservation to reduce global warming.

"The mangrove tree planting movement is important in a bid to prevent coastal abrasion and tidal waves," Bassalamah said.

In addition, Bassalamah said, at least 100 medical workers had also been prepared by Maluku`s provincial health office to support the Sail Banda event.

"We have trained doctors and nurses from district and city hospitals and clinics to give health services to Sail Banda participants and guests," Basalamah said.

He added that of the 100 medical workers, 60 underwent training last week while the rest were trained last year.

"The training lasted one week at the Kudamati training facility. They were trained by a team from the East Indonesia Disaster Alert Brigade and Dr Wahidin General Hospital in Makassar," Basalamah said.

The Maluku health office had also formed a Sail Medical Service (SMS) team for people in Maluku`s remote islands.

The SMS was formed to avoid social jealousy during the Surya Baskara Jaya health operation on the islands of Ambon, Banda, and Kisar.

Meanwhile, the United States Navy`s floating hospital ship. USNS Mercy T-AH-19. is to arrive in Maluku in the near future to support the Surya Baksara Jaya health operation in the province.

Dubbed Surya Baksara Jaya operation, the health services program will be conducted at seven villages in Ambon, Maluku, July 29-August 3, 2010.

Sail Banda 2010 local committee chairman Cak Saimima said in Ambon recently that the health services provision operation would be conducted in conjunction with the international marine event in the province.

"A similar program as part of Sail Banda 2010 will also be conducted in Banda Neira, Central Maluku district at the same time," Cak Saimima said.

He said the floating hospital would provide health services at Mamala, Morella, Liang, Waai, Tulehu, Passo, and Hutumuri villages on the island of Ambon.

"The Surya Baksara Jaya health services provision operation will be supported by the biggest floating hospital of the United States Navy, the USNS MERCY T-AH-19," Saimima said.