Private Boat Making A Splash In Malaysia's Langkawi

By Hamdan Ismail LANGKAWI (Kedah, Malaysia), March 7 (Bernama) -- Langkawi's allure is not just confined to the island, in fact the surrounding archipelago of some 100 islands is equally picturesque. And, what better way to enjoy the scenery and gaze at all those golden beaches, greenery and emerald green waters than by going on a leisurely cruise. There are already several companies and even individuals offering boating and cruising services there. One of the more recent entrants to the sector is businessman Mohd Shukri Mohd Nadzir. This avid angler never imagined he would one day be involved in the cruise industry when he purchased a 20-metre long boat in 2010, which he named Sea Splash, for his own use. "In 2011 I got the boat transported to Langkawi and my friends and I used it to go on fishing trips. Occasionally, I would rent it out to others who wanted to go sailing," he told Bernama, recently. Sometime in 2015, he decided to start a business offering boating and cruising services to anglers and tourists. WELL-EQUIPPED BOAT Avid anglers are bound to be delighted with Sea Splash as it is equipped with all the amenities they would require, especially if they go fishing out in the open sea. The amenities include 12 fishing "stations" operated by high-powered batteries, digital sonar detection system, global positioning system, compartments to keep live bait and freezers for the anglers to store their catch. The boat has facilities to store up to 1,400 litres of clean water and even boasts a seawater desalinisation system that can process 800 litres of water a day. Mohd Shukri, who has sailed Sea Splash right up to Myanmar previously, said after he decided to start his cruising and boating business, he renovated his boat to make it more comfortable for tourists and anglers. "It can take up 30 passengers and we even have rooms for up to 12 people to stay should they want to go on an overnight cruise," he said. FACILITIES FOR TOURISTS Sea Splash also has a lounge, complete with flat-screen television and electronic entertainment system, where passengers can relax and unwind. There is also a barbecue pit on the rear deck where, whilst feasting their eyes on the seascape, they can indulge in an array of grilled seafood dishes prepared by the experienced chef on board. Snorkelling fans will also be happy to note that the boat has a platform that can be lowered into the water to enable them to snorkel or swim. Mohd Shukri said his company offers four-hour or longer sailing packages, including leisurely cruises to enjoy the view of the main island of Langkawi from the sea, island hopping tours and sunset cruises. "Our boat can also take tourists to other destinations that are further away, like Koh Lipe in Thailand but this will involve a special rate," he said. INCORPORATING ISLAMIC VALUES Mohd Shukri said there has been encouraging response from domestic tourists, as well as those from China, European and Middle Eastern countries, this past one year since embarking on the business. He also hopes to incorporate the Islamic tourism concept into his operations in order to attract more tourists from the Middle East. To expand his business, he intends to acquire a smaller vessel to offer cheaper sailing packages. "I always think of introducing concepts that are different to attract tourists. I'm not trying to compete with others but just want to complement the activities that already exist in Langkawi," he added. -- BERNAMA