Participants Of Yacht Rally Festival Arrive In Derawan

Derawan, E Kalimantan, Sept 18 (Antara) - A total of 30 participants of the Derawan Yacht Rally Festival have arrived in Derawan from Davao, the Philippines, and Tawau, Malaysia. Eleven countries, namely Germany, France, Australia, Austria, South Korea, Japan, the Netherlands, Britain, the Philippines, Malaysia, and New Zealand are participating in the Derawan Yacht Rally Festival, said Othniel Mamahit, secretary general of the All Indonesian Yachting Sport Association (Porlasi), on Wednesday. According to Othniel, the Derawan Yacht Rally is a continuation of the Sail Komodo event. "This rally has been held to promote the beauty and biodiversity around the waters of Derawan Island, East Kalimantan, and other parts of Indonesia," he added. Humpry Sinyal, rally chairman of Porlasi for the northern region, said the route of the Derawan Yacht Rally is along the waters of Kalimatnan`s northern lanes - the Davao (Philippine)-Sangihe-Bitung-Kwandang-Derawan route and the Tawau (Malaysia)-Tarakan-Derawan lane. Initially, there were 12 participants from Tawau to Derawan but only nine yachts arrived in Derawan because the rest were ambushed by huge waves. However, all 21 ships from Davao successfully entered the Derawan waters. The organisers decided to use the northern route to promote marine tourist destinations along the way. For example, Sangihe has an undersea volcano, whose peak is only six meters under the sea. "One can see bubbles coming out of the crater," he said. In Tarakan, there are many long stingrays, underwater coral gardens, and turtle conservation spots. Therefore, Porlasi supported the plan of the East Kalimantan and the Berau local governments to hold the yacht rally. Humpry said this event in East Kalimantan and other regions has the potential to attract more international participants in the coming years. "In 2012, Porlasi was able to attract 800 international yachts. This year, we set a target of attracting about one thousand yachters," he added. The Derawan Yacht Rally, which is being held from September 14 to 21, 2013, is a key event, along with other events such as the national diving competition, sailing contest, fishing games, and skydiving. Last weekend, President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono inaugurated the Sail Komodo 2013 event at Pede Beach in Labuan Bajo, East Nusa Tenggara province. Sail Komodo is the fifth sailing event held in Indonesia after Sail Bunaken in North Sulawesi province in 2009, Sail Banda in Maluku province in 2010, Sail Wakatobi and Bitong in Southeast Sulawesi province in 2011, and Sail Morotai in North Maluku in 2012. Yudhoyono said Sail Komodo 2013 would boost tourism by making East Nusa Tenggara province an international tourist destination. A number of activities were organised at the international sailing event in Labuan Bajo. The organising committee has been planning this year`s event since July, with all provinces in the archipelago becoming destinations for the sailing participants, and Kupang, the capital of the province, serving as an entry point.