Improved facilities for boat enthusiasts

Existing facilities of Ports Department for use by boat enthusiasts. Photo courtesy of Ports Department

Maritime sport activities in Brunei Darussalam are fast catching up as a favourite past time hobby. Demand for such suitable sport facilities is increasing with the increase of affluence.

Brunei Darussalam has a good potential for developing water sports industry considering the highly suitable climate, relatively unpolluted waterways and excellent fishing spots.

The Ports Department wants to develop dedicated maritime sports by taking into consideration the environment. In this context, more proper maritime facilities are required to fulfil this objective.

In line with this, Muara Port intends to utilise its firmer ship and boat dockyard as facilities to accommodate leisure boats and part time fishing boats before they for sea fishing or sporting.

It was formerly occupied by Royal Brunei Navy for ship repairs before they moved out to their permanent premises at the Royal Naval Base.

Before the site underwent demolition works sometimes in the 1990s, the area served as a naval building office, workshop, boat ramp and housed other facilities for ship-related repair works.

When the permanent Naval Base ship repair dockyard was completed, the Royal Brunei Navy Maintenance Unit decided to hand over the area to Muara Port.

Later the land was gazetted as Muara Port Controlled Area. The site was not being used properly.

However, boat enthusiasts and maritime port users make use of the site to launch their boats.

Until recently, Muara Port has decided to clear out the site but the boat ramp remains for fish landing purposes and maritime sports.

Ports Department will, in the future, provide sufficient facilities for the public.

It also added that this is one of the first few steps towards providing better maritime sport facilities for the public.

Ports Department also emphasises that other areas near Muara town will also be developed to facilitate maritime sport activities.

Courtesy of Borneo Bulletin