Potential in Pulau Duyong M.K. MEGAN PULAU Duyong is known for its commercial boat building industry, but there’s a greater potential waiting to be tapped. Pulau Duyong is accessible via a bridge, so you don’t need to take a ferry to get there.

View of the marina from Ri-Yaz Resort and Spa

Efforts are being done to develop the area but it’s not enough. The annual Monsoon Cup is a sure attraction but that occurs only once a year.

A state-owned five-star hotel, Ri-Yaz Heritage Resort And Spa, offers a chalet setting in secluded surroundings. Home to the Monsoon Cup every year, the resort plays host to top ranked sailors from all over the world. Its location has placed it on the world-sailing map as the final stop in the Asian leg of the World Match Racing Tour. It was also where, for the first time, all the Sultans stayed when Terengganu played host to the Rulers Conference last year.

There are 97 rooms, of which 52 are deluxe chalets, 26 executive deluxe chalets, four executive suites, two Cemara suites and 13 royal suites.

“Besides the usual amenities, all rooms feature 29-inch plasma screens, cable television, hi-fi with DVD player, in-room safe, private balcony, desk and living area as well as international direct-dial facilities,” says sales and marketing manager Shuriana Abdul Shukor.

“We also offer free wi-fi service and in addition to these facilities, we will be opening the Sembunyi Spa early next year. It will be a tropical Asean theme spa offering jamu therapies such as aromatic massages, herbal body and facial treatments.

Separate male and female rooms are available for steam, sauna, hot jacuzzi and ice-cold dips as well as a lap pool.” Shuriana says these facilities are a perfect break from the hectic race environment or after a long journey in the sea for not only yachters but also those participating in the Monsoon Cup.

“We are ready to cater to these needs if Pulau Duyong is transformed into a yachters hub,” she adds.

Sazali Kamal Basha from Sail Malaysia, a local company attempting to “lure” sailors from all over the world to Malaysian destinations, has recently organised a rally called Passage To The East. Its objective is to encourage more sailors to make Kuala Terengganu one of their destinations. The rally saw some 22 sail boats arriving at Pulau Duyong in June.

Initially, says Sazali, more than 100 boats were scheduled to arrive from Darwin, Australia, but many stopped in other destinations along the way.

He feels that is because the Australians have not experienced Malaysian islands like Tioman Island. Last year, he says, 10 boats stopped for several days at the east coast marinas. Sail Malaysia is organising another rally on the West coast in November, called Passage To Langkawi.

Ironically, one of the obstacles in plans to attract boats to the East Coast is the thriving commercial boat industry. The rust and dust from the industry linger in the air and when it rains, these settle on the shiny sail boats. A sailor, who did not want to be named, said the rust sometimes causes parts of the boat to corrode. Moreover, he added, the stains caused by the rust and dust are hard to clean.

Another sailor, David Wardle, 68, who is sailing around the world with his wife Barbara, 60, aboard his boat, Baker Street, said more facilities are certainly needed in Pulau Duyong.

“This is my second trip around the world but it’s my first time stopping in Pulau Duyong. During my entire journey, I’ve never had to buy diesel in drums to be poured into my tank like what I had to do in Pulau Duyong. There is always a pump near the marina where we fill our tanks.

“At my age, carrying all those drums from the shore to my yacht is very taxing,” he says, adding that the Pulau Duyong marina has to do something drastic and quickly if they harbour the hope of promoting the place.

Another yachtsman, who had a torn sail, docked his boat in Pulau Duyong only to find he had to take a bus to Malacca to get the sail repaired.

Sazali feels that with well-made plans, there could be a thriving community around the marina with shops repairing sail boat paraphernalia, offering sailing lessons and many other businesses and activities.

Terengganu State councillor for Tourism, Culture, Arts and Heritage Datuk Za’abar Mohd Adib says there is a master plan to develop Pulau Duyong.

“There is a provision to relocate the boat building industry away from the marina,” he said recently after hosting a dinner for the first batch of 22 sailors under the Sail Malaysia programme.

The Monsoon Cup organisers also plan to organise races for locals throughout the year to create an awareness of the facilities available and promote the sport.