Shipyard (PSS)

Sunday, July 27, 2014

Satun, Thailand

I traveled over to Satun in Thailand, to see friends Jamie and Julie on their super yacht Thea which was in the boatyard for final touches. Jamie kindly came to collect me from the ferry station and took me out to the boat where I would stay with them for roughly one week.

Jamie and Julie are a really lovely couple, fun, kind and friendly and really kind to each other, it's lovely to see. They are staying on the boat while working on it and they have a team of workers who come every morning, on time, and work hard all day which is why many boats come into Thailand for work/repairs etc.

I've never been in a boatyard before and it's brilliant, what a fascinating place to see and watch the process of huge super yachts, Thai fishing boats, yachts etc. all being lifted out of the water, positioned and supported with hunks of wood - I love watching the process. Strangely enough I recognize a few boats in the yard with our neighbors being Damai Indah which is a charter boat from Royal Langkawi Yacht Club, I know Eva who runs it and Adam that's here working on it.

At the entrance of the boatyard I'm introduced to 'the table of knowledge' which many gather round in the evenings for a drink and discuss their progress of the day. You really get to meet everyone living in the yard and I guess it's a great social part of getting to know each other. I'm introduced to many by Jamie and Julie who know everyone around, they spent a couple years on the actual building/reconstructing of Thea here where they had a whole shed built around the boat. They have yard dogs which are really friendly and two of them will sneak onto the boat at night for a wee snooze, I love that one of them is called Braveheart, wee cutie.

It's really something else seeing Thea out of the water, I was helping Jamie with a few things in Langkawi so I feel I now know her inside and out. The living space inside is incredible with the first floor being all living space with a massive living room, dining room and galley, five en-suite cabins below and one in the bridge which they let me stay in. The biggest engine room which is pristine white in colour and incredible deck space on each level.

I love the fishing boats that are lifted out the water, traditional in style, brightly coloured with a really high up bridge, it's almost like a tower. The smell of the fish is everywhere and as you can imagine many boats have problems with rats which tend to leap boats in the yard. Most are in getting anti foul and basic repairs before they're turned around as quickly as possible to get back out to sea. One boat apparently doesn't even have any nets on board and still managed to return with a full road after doing some trading which is a pretty sharp idea.

Jamie and Julie take Adam (on Damai Indah) and I into Satun for the markets which is a big event. Everyone spends time going their own directions until we met in On's Bar which has seats on the sidewalk right at the market, what a great place to people watch, taking in the smells and sounds of Thailand. On my way round I couldn't resist in buying a wee fish for Jamie, complete with bowl, plant and pebbles which was the funniest gift ever. I reackon Jamie never caught a fish in Langkawi despite trying nightly so I thought I would gift him one.

When Jamie saw it he was delighted, he's never had a pet fish before and instantly named the tiny, striking blue/green with lovely long fins, well... 'Eric'. We had a great giggle seeing Jamie so fascinated and immediately took on his new responsibility. Even when we arrived home he took it down beside him to keep and eye and make sure his first night on-board Thea was safe.

We had a lovely time hanging around the boatyard, heading into Satun for lunch or dinner and seeing some of the sights of the area. A few days after I arrived, Neil also came to see Jamie and Julie as he was their neighbour not only at the marina in Langkawi but here in the yard too when Scarlet was on the hard stand. He shows me around the marina with Jamie and we even find the shell his dingy was built from lying in one of the sheds.

Neil and I had a day out at nearby caves which was fun, a beautiful drive leading to the fascinating limestone karsts which are a huge attraction in Thailand. It was nice to let Jamie and Julie get on with their project but when we returned they were preparing a tasty home cooked meal - both are quite the chefs and great hospitality. Tonight our feature on the dining table however is Eric, Jamie has found a bigger bowl and he's center table with four sets of eyes watching his every move.

I enjoyed my time on Thea and seeing Jamie and Julie and I can't thank them enough for their hospitality and kindness at letting me stay... I wonder where I'll meet them again. Good luck with the final touches and the launch of Thea once more back into the water, wishing you both every success and happiness in your new adventures.

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