Mentawai Surf / Dive Fees for 2008

New $5/day Daily Charge Announced

Written by Nasdion

Saturday, 01 December 2007

All MMTA members have agreed on new daily charges for 2008. The Mentawai Government retribution charge of US$3.00 per day is part of a new daily charge of US$5.00 per surfer/diver per day. This charge applies to all surfers /divers traveling to Mentawai on boats or staying in resorts. The fees apply for every day spent in Mentawai or for every day of any surf / dive trip that visits Mentawai. The new fees apply from 1st January 2008. The 5 companies have agreed to collect all fees before guests depart for Mentawai and to settle fees monthly with the MMTA and the Mentawai Government tax office. The MMTA will print new receipt books for each company to use when collecting these fees. All agents and operators should revise websites and printed material to reflect the new total $5.00 per day per surfer/diver fee. The MMTA will collect $2.00 per surfer / diver and these funds will be used as follows: 90% for MMTA Community Programs 10% for MMTA administration and office overheads Village officials will be consulted and asked to present proposals for community projects for funding. In return the MMTA will ask that all ad hoc collection of fees by villagers will stop. Villagers will be encouraged to offer handicrafts for sale to visitors. The community programs will be discussed with PEMDA and village officials early in 2008 and published on this website with budgets and locations clearly defined. Thanks for your full support. Nasdion SH Legal Council - MMTA, Website Administration

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Public Notice to All Mentawai Operators/Agents

Mentawai Charter Boat License List 2008

Written by Nasdion

Wednesday, 28 November 2007

The MMTA has submitted a final list of charter boats for 2008 onwards to the Mentawai Government. Each one of the five companies with a license to operate marine tours has selected 6 boats based on the standard MMTA license contract (5 years validity) Guests can book on these charter boats with full confidence that they will be welcome by Mentawai Government authorities who will operate Marine Patrols in 2008. The land based resorts companies with a license to operate marine/surf tours under PERDA No. 16 - 2002 KAB KEP MENTAWAI are: PT Internusa Bahagia - Macas Resort - Silabu, Pagai Utara PT Saraina Koat Mentawai - Kandui Resort - Karamajet Island - South Siberut PT Mentawai Wisata Bahari - Katiet Villas - Katiet, South Sipura & Eco Bay Mentawai -Nyang2 Island - South Siberut PT Bangun Toro Koat - Coral Sands Lodge - Pitojat Island  - Sipura (under construction) PT Bintang Samudera Nusantara - Indian Ocean Resort - Bitojat Island - Pagai Selatan (under construction)  The 2007 grace period for all resorts and charter boats expires on Dec 31. Please support the new regulations to be enforced strictly in 2008 onwards. Bangun LH Secretary MMTA Letter attached to this list can be viewed by clicking 'read more'

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Monday Deadline for Mentawai Charter Boat License

PEMDA Mentawai Request Final Boat List for 2008

Written by Nasdion

Friday, 02 November 2007

The attached letter from the Head of Tourism in Mentawai, Drs Zulkarlin, asks MMTA to submit a final list of 30 boats by the beginning of November 2007. This letter will be determined on Monday the 5th of November and all MMTA members must submit their list of 6 boats by that time. MMTA companies will be responsible for the collection and payment of Mentawai Retribution Taxes from the boats on the company list. License plates will be issued to the 30 boats for operation in Mentawai waters. Other boats are permitted to stop for fuel or emergency in Mentawai ports but they must not stop at any other location and they are not permitted to operate as surf charter boats in Mentawai Kabupaten. The fine for stopping at a location that is not on the SIB issued at the orinating port is Rp50,000,000. All MMTA member boats are responsible to report any boat that is not on the list and taking surf charters to Mentawai to the MMTA for processing. The MMTA will inform all sales agents marketing surf charters so that clients are not victims of non-compliance.

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URGENT APPEAL - MENTAWAI QUAKE SITUATION REPORT

To MMTA subscriber: Mentawai Investigator

MMTA Earthquake Relief

Written by Nasdion

Sunday, 16 September 2007

The 3 massive earthquakes that destroyed over 6,000 homes in Bengkulu have also done terrible damage to parts of south and west coast Mentawai. Some villages such as Malakopak near Thunders and Rags breaks report that 100% of homes are either destroyed or so badly damaged that they will have to be demolished. In Silabu village close to Macas surf break, over 50% of homes have been damaged beyond repair or submerged due to subsidance. Only 6 homes remain useable in Sinaka village just a few miles from the Hole and Lighthouses. Reports are still filtering in from remote communities and the news is grim. The weather has now compounded problems with strong west winds and heavy rain adding to the misery of families who are camped on muddy hill tops in fear of more earthquakes or tsunamis. Village economies in the south and west are at a standstill and food, drinking water, shelter, sanitation needs and medical care are all needed urgently. With damage spread over hundreds of miles of remote coastline, government transport is not able to distribute aid supplies. MMTA are mobilizing ferry and cargo boats to assist with distribution of food and water supplies that are on hand at the moment. Shelter and sanitation supplies need to be purchased and delivered as soon as possible. MMTA have established a POSKO (Aid Post) in Padang where NGOs and private donors can drop supplies for delivery to area most in need. POSKO MMTA Jl Batang Arau No. 66E (next door to Pertamina Fuel Station) Padang West Sumatra Indonesia Tel + 62 751 36527 Fax + 62 751 31913 info@mmta-mentawai.org All MMTA boat owners or boat representatives are requested to make a minimum donation of Rp3,000,000 to support ferry and cargo boat fuel and running costs so that this urgently needed aid can be delivered. Please transfer or deposit funds to: Bank Negari, Account No. 21000105002087, Account Name: MMTA If you have any problems or questions about donating funds please contact Yanti HP 08126622716 Thanks Bangun - Secretary MMTA

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Quakes Rock Indonesia; Experts Warn of 'Big One'

September 14, 2007
AP

PADANG, Indonesia (AP) — A series of powerful earthquakes has terrorized residents in western Indonesia — including another one that triggered a fresh tsunami warning Friday — leaving thousands sleeping on plastic in the hills and each new aftershock triggering a fresh round of panic.

Seismologists warn the worst may be yet to come.

Photo: A motorist passes a damaged road along the coastal area of Ketahuan, Indonesia's Bengkulu province, Friday. Indonesia's meteorology agency issued a tsunami warning on Friday after another strong earthquake struck southern Sumatra island. (By Crack Palinggi, Reuters)

Kerry Sieh, from the California Institute of Technology, has spent decades studying the volatile fault line. He is one of several experts predicting a repeat of the massive earthquake that triggered the 2004 Asian tsunami, which killed more than 230,000 people in a dozen Indian Ocean nations.

"No one can say whether it will be in 30 seconds or 30 years," he said. "But what happened the other day, I think is quite possibly a sequence of smaller earthquakes leading up to the bigger one."

An 8.4-magnitude quake that shook Southeast Asia on Wednesday was followed by dozens of strong aftershocks — including one measuring magnitude 7.8 and another 7.1 — that killed 13 people, damaged hundreds of houses and spawned a 10-foot-high wave.

A 6.4-magnitude temblor hit the area again on Friday, triggering the latest in a string of tsunami warnings that have further traumatized people living in coastal communities. Hundreds fled inland by foot, motorcycle and truck before the alert was lifted.

The wall of water that slammed into several fishing villages along Sumatra island's coast Wednesday swept away nearly a dozen houses, but overall damage was "minimal," Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono said after an Air Force aerial survey.

Photo: An Indonesian woman weeps outside her house that was destroyed by an earthquake on Sumatra island, Indonesia, Friday. (By Dita Alangkara, AP)

A nine-member U.N. assessment team reached the same conclusion after visiting the area, saying that a major international relief operation was not required, John Holmes, the U.N.'s emergency relief coordinator, said in a statement from New York.

Many people said a public awareness campaign launched after the 2004 tsunami paid off, including warnings issued over mosque speakers and training provided by local officials on how to escape a disaster.

"When the earth started shaking, some people yelled, 'It's time to go up the hill ... let's get going," said Fadil, 35, a father of two, describing how he and hundreds of neighbors watched from above as the 10-foot wave approached. Hundreds of houses were damaged, but no one died.

Elsewhere, however, electricity blackouts prevented some sirens from going off.

The three massive quakes — together with the 9.0-magnitude temblor in 2004 and a 8.7 tremor in early 2005 — deeply concerns experts.

The fault, which runs the length of the west coast of Sumatra about 125 miles offshore, is the meeting point of the Eurasian and Pacific tectonic plates, which have been pushing against each other for millions of years, causing huge stresses to build up.

"There is a strong indication this foreshadows the big one," said Danny Hillman, an eart

hquake specialist at the Indonesian Institute of Science. "We all agree there is an 8.5 or stronger earthquake waiting to happen."

That's exactly what residents along Sumatra's western coast, which is expected to bear the brunt of the next disaster, are worried about. The island was hardest hit by the 2004 tsunami, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the deaths.

In the tiny fishing village of Sungai Pisang, just south of the badly damaged city of Padang, hundreds of people were too scared to return home after the recent tremors sent a large wave washing into their bay.

At a camp pitched on a muddy hillside cemetery, they have been sleeping atop plastic sheets or on the cold ground between graves. A small generator powers a light bulb, hung over branches in the thick tropical undergrowth, but there is little else.

"I am very afraid of another tsunami," said Dasima, a 50-year-old rice farmer who fled with her 7-year-old grandson, Rolin. "We only cook our rice in the town and then return here to eat and sleep. We will stay here until we feel it is safe."

Indonesia, the world's largest archipelago, with a population of 235 million people, is prone to seismic upheaval due to its location on the "Ring of Fire," an arc of volcanos and fault lines encircling the Pacific Basin.

Copyright 2007 The Associated Press.

http://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2007-09-14-indonesia-quake_N.htm

Current Indonesian Shakers

Mag. 5.0 Sept. 14 06:01:34 -4.108 101.220 35.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA

Mag. 6.4 Sept. 14 06:01:34 -4.108 101.220 35.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA

Mag. 5.4 Sept. 14 04:03:44 -2.179 100.088 29.3 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.2 Sept. 14 03:07:14 -3.010 101.083 39.2 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 4.8 Sept. 14 02:34:51 -0.466 98.141 21.5 KEPULAUAN BATU
Mag. 5.0 Sept. 14 01:31:57 -3.757 100.759 27.5 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.5 Sept. 14 01:02:06 -3.696 101.845 35.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 5.3 Sept. 13 23:12:31 -3.108 100.971 35.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.0 Sept. 13 18:30:38 -2.565 99.763 35.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.5 Sept. 13 16:59:26 -2.118 99.978 35.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 6.2 Sept. 13 16:09:09 -3.247 101.439 3.3 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 5.6 Sept. 13 15:08:54 -4.354 101.212 24.5 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 5.0 Sept. 13 18:30:38 -2.565 99.763 35.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.5 Sept. 13 16:59:26 -2.118 99.978 35.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 6.2 Sept. 13 16:09:09 -3.247 101.439 3.3 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 5.1 Sept. 13 13:43:58 -2.998 100.215 35.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.6 Sept. 13 13:10:15 -2.786 100.863 28.7 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.2 Sept. 13 12:12:59 -3.691 100.694 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.0 Sept. 13 11:57:17 -2.034 99.434 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 6.2 Sept. 13 09:48:43 3.794 126.411 21.9 KEPULAUAN TALAUD
Mag. 5.4 Sept. 13 09:21:35 -2.164 99.748 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 4.8 Sept. 13 08:01:56 -2.773 100.292 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.2 Sept. 13 06:32:48 -2.072 99.405 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.0 Sept. 13 06:28:51 -2.029 99.383 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.1 Sept. 13 05:53:23 -3.979 100.553 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 4.9 Sept. 13 05:48:44 -3.988 100.511 24.5 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.0 Sept. 13 05:44:14 -3.735 100.706 2.8 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.5 Sept. 13 05:23:24 -1.686 99.717 38.9 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.2 Sept. 13 04:06:10 -1.723 99.567 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 7.0 Sept. 13 03:35:26 -2.160 99.581 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.5 Sept. 13 02:51:31 -2.049 99.790 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.9 Sept. 13 02:30:01 -1.639 99.697 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.0 Sept. 13 01:55:44 -3.869 101.629 10.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 5.2 Sept. 13 01:49:04 -2.331 99.404 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.2 Sept. 13 01:38:05 -1.902 99.734 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.8 Sept. 13 01:26:33 -2.039 99.730 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 7.9 Sept. 12 23:49:04 -2.506 100.906 30.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.1 Sept. 12 23:19:44 -4.082 100.907 10.0 SOUTHWEST OF SUMATRA
Mag. 5.4 Sept. 12 22:17:17 -2.897 100.757 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.1 Sept. 12 22:02:23 -4.609 101.280 10.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 5.3 Sept. 12 17:04:33 -7.598 126.085 307.3 KEPULAUAN BARAT DAYA
Mag. 5.9 Sept. 12 16:37:01 -3.142 101.377 21.2 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 5.2 Sept. 12 15:35:08 -4.262 101.008 35.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 6.0 Sept. 12 14:40:02 -3.227 101.361 18.8 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 4.9 Sept. 12 14:04:57 -4.239 101.196 35.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 5.3 Sept. 12 13:17:17 -3.308 100.654 32.8 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 5.6 Sept. 12 13:02:07 -2.946 101.352 35.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA
Mag. 5.2 Sept. 12 12:21:44 -2.667 100.318 10.0 KEPULAUAN MENTAWAI Reg.
Mag. 8.4 Sept. 12 11:10:26 -4.521 101.370 30.0 SOUTHERN SUMATRA

http://earthquake.usgs.gov/eqcenter/recenteqsww/Maps/region/Australia_eqs.php

Weather Alert

To MMTA subscriber: Mentawai Investigator

Please note the potential formation of twin typhoons in the south China Sea. https://metocph.nmci.navy.mil/jtwc/ab/abpwsair.jpg

 

Both circulations are small at this stage and one is not classified as a typhoon yet. Twin typhoons in this area often cause a West to North Westerly air flow over the Mentawais with thunderstorms and squalls. Consider tsunami safe anchorages with these conditions in mind. 

Island Aid - Situation Update

 

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Situation Report - Island Aid

To MMTA subscriber: Mentawai Investigator

Quakes Intensify and Move Into Mentawai Islands

Written by Nasdion

Friday, 14 September 2007

All, PADANG - 1800hrs 13 Sep 07 BMC hospital (Padang) is unsafe and patients in the street waiting for alternative beds. 6 patients died due to the loss of services or stress. Not sure about other hospitals yet. Bumi Minang Hotel is badly fractured (best hotel in town) and not sure about viability. Pangaran Beach Hotel seems fine. Rocky Plaza & Hotel (sic) status unknown but doubtful Plaza Ramayana (Padang's newest and biggest) closed and likely for ever. Plaza Andalas damaged and unsure of viability. Padang City almost a ghost town tonight. Most along the coast have moved to stay with friends or relatives inland. Fuel is fine and some shops open. Water supplies are fine. Power is ok but shuts down after every little shake (they forgot to do this for the first quake and that causes some fires). Roads and bridges are ok. Port fine and fully operational despite wharf flooding this am due to tsunami surge. No damage. A few flights arrived today. Not sure of carriers but understand Mandala (ex airforce jockeys and pretty gung-ho) Tua Pajet (capital of Mentawais) has a few large buildings down. 30% of masonry homes are badly compromised and thought not safe. A lot of wood frame buildings here and they are fine. Sioban (Sipura) about the same as Tua Pajet. Muara Siberut reports a lot of damage. Built on river delta so mud below. Sikakap has 30% of buildings damaged badly. Weather is good so far and that helps those camped on hill tops. No big ones this afternoon. Feels like we are missing a sense of closure ..... suggest highest level of caution at resorts and on charter boats. Could boats in the Katiet area please advise the number of guests/name/nationalities staying at Hussain's guest house and in other village buildings. We have been unable to contact Katiet Villa resort and embassies are requesting help to locate family members thought to be in this area. Thanks Rick Cameron

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Quakes Intensify and Move North Into Mentawais

After the 8.4 (revised from 7.9) quake yesterday evening our area has experienced 16 strong earthquakes. The most recent struck at 10.31am and registered 7.1 on the central west coast of Sipura. Five of the quakes have exceeded 7.1 and at least two have triggered tsunamis.

The quakes started in the Bengkulu/Enganno area 250 nm south of Padang and they have progressively moved north west.

Bengkulu suffered severe damage to buildings and at latest count the number killed stands at 9 persons.

Several buildings in Padang have collapsed killing one person. A large mall was severely damaged and partially burned due to electrical shorts resulting from last nights quake. Many buildings have been severely cracked and are not considered safe. Most of the coastal population have evacuated their homes and have moved to high ground.

Most domestic and international airlines have suspended flights to Padang. SMA have suspended flights to Mentawai until the condition of the Rokot airstrip can be assessed. Mandala are operating limited flights.

There is still no news from large sections of the west coast between Padang and Bengkulu. The south end of Pagai Island will have taken the full force of the tsunami and there are no reports from that area.

Sikapap in Pagai was damaged by a 3 m tsunami that has destroyed homes and shops along the waterfront. Food supplies have been lost and help has been requested by boat.

Charter boat operators have moved to anchor in deep water. Most have now reported that their boats are safe but some passengers had lucky escapes.

While there have not been any fatalities in the islands to date, communities are traumatized and many have lost homes, boats and businesses near the coast. Most fear returning to the coast and families are living on hill tops or slopes. Tarps are urgently needed for temporary shelter.

Donations will be used to purchase family buckets, tarps, building material and to mobilize boats to help in the area.

Padang Shaken but No Structural Damage - Tsunami Warning Issued

A major quake has caused serious damage to homes near the coast around Bengkulu about 200nm south of the Mentawai Islands.

Padang escaped any physical damage but the population are on high alert and expecting after shocks.

We have had reports of buildings collapsing in Bengkulu and people along the coast have evacuated to high ground.

Island Aid are attempting to contact family and friends in the coastal city to lean more about the damage.

Magnitude 7.9

Date-Time

• Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 11:10:23 UTC
• Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 06:10:23 PM at epicenter

Time of Earthquake in other Time Zones

Location

4.519°S, 101.346°E

Depth

10 km (6.2 miles) set by location program

Region

SOUTHERN SUMATRA, INDONESIA

Distances

105 km (65 miles) SW of Bengkulu, Sumatra, Indonesia

385 km (240 miles) SW of Jambi, Sumatra, Indonesia

385 km (240 miles) WSW of Palembang, Sumatra, Indonesia

605 km (375 miles) WNW of JAKARTA, Java, Indonesia

MMTA MEETING MONDAY 3rd SEPT - BOAT DRAW

To MMTA Subscriber: Mentawai Investigator

MMTA BOAT DRAW

Written by Nasdion

Saturday, 01 September 2007

MMTA will make a meeting on Monday 3rd September to have a random draw of boats that did not sign any contract yet. So far 16 surf charter boats (9 Indonesian and 8 Foreign) have qualified for a long term (5 year) license to operate in Mentawai. These boats will be given a license plate for easy identification by PEMDA patrols. The foreign owned boats that still did not want to commit for a 5 year license will now be contacted by the company that draws their boat name. These boats will be offered a 2007 Only Grace Period License and they will be given a license sticker to carry on board at all times. Boats that do not sign a 2007 Only Grace Period Contact will not be issued with a license sticker and they will not be included on the MMTA boat list provided to PEMDA Mentawai. All unqualified boat owners are reminded to pay all retribution fees prior to arrival in Mentawai to avoid sanctions as defined in PERDA KAB KEP MENTAWAI No16 - 2002. New charter boats wishing to apply for a Mentawai charter boat license should contact the MMTA. MMTA Committee

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No Change to PERDA No16 for 2008

To member: Mentawai Investigator

Mentawai Parliament Confirms No Change to PERDA No16

Written by MMTA Admin

Saturday, 11 August 2007

This letter is just received by the MMTA and it is confirming that PERDA No.16 Tahun 2002 should be implemented unchanged to improve management of tourism in Mentawai and to improve conditions for resort companies in the area. A new tax will be approved on the 22nd of August 2007 and applied to all tourism companies in the area. (Companies agree to pay Boat tax) This advice is for all member boat owners and agents.

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Resolution at Katiet

PT OMI Komisaris, Adam Bray, and PT MWB Marketing Manager, Rick Cameron, shake hands at Katiet Villas, (HTs). After weeks of negotiations the two groups have agreed to work together to manage and market the resort. The facility will operate under PT MWB's Mentawai Marine Tour Operators License offering the new resort full buffer zone protection.

"Rick's 14 years hands-on management experience combined with OMI group's marketing network are a great combination and fully synergistic" said Adam.

"We have a lot in common and this outcome is fair and very positive for all the investors with an interest in the area. I would especially like to thank the MMTA for their help in bringing all parties to the table" added Rick.

The companies promised a combined press release soon.

MMTA Resolution - Mentawai Charter Boat Licenses

MMTA Resolution - Charter Boat Licenses

Written by Nasdion

Monday, 06 August 2007

The MMTA called a special meeting to clarify the proceedure for all boat owners who have not yet signed a contract: Click on the letter to enlarge it.

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MMTA Newletter - July 2007

Click to expand this image

Current list of boats operating in Mentawai in 2007.

All boats in the first two lists are registered with the Mentawai Government authorities and are covered by the 'grace period' announced by the MMTA and the Mentawai Department of Tourism earlier this year.

The grace period expires at the end of 2007.

The Mentawai Government has confirmed that PERDA No 16 rules will apply in 2008.

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We did it! 501(c)(3) approved and now in Guidestar

Chris, this is going to make a big difference to us.

Thanks for your hard work and perseverance!

Cheers

Rick

IslandAid operated by ELM

450 Taraval St. San Francisco 94116, USA

+1 415 272 9100

Field Office Jl Air Manis No 8, Bukit Gado2, Padang, West Sumatra

+62-81916235107 (mobile)

+62-751-767888 

Skype / AIM : elmaceh 

info@island-aid.org

www.island-aid.org

Sabang Merauke Air Flight Schedules

The MMTA were asked by SMAC President Peter Lew to come up with ideas and suggestions for a Padang to Rokot air service. The meeting took place at Villa Air Manis Hotel and the following points were raised:

- Direct bookings requested so that resorts were not obliged to book via competing groups.
- Change of name to Sabang Merauke Air
- Scheduled flights rather than the charter flights proposed by Mentawai Air.
- Affordable seat prices.
- Surfer + boardbag capacity
- Long term commitment

SMA have repainted their aircraft and announced the following schedule:
- Padang > Rokot 9.30am Tue, Thu, Sat
- Rokot > Padang 10.30am Tue Thu Sat
Prices will be $47 one way plus a boardbag surcharge of around $40-50 depending on the weight. Capacity is 14 normal passengers or 10 surfers plus boards.

Aloita Resort have a 60ft high speed catamaran and smaller powerboats available to shuttle surfers to Playgrounds and other resorts in the area. Rates will range from $50 to $100 depending on numbers in each group.

Flights can be booked via a number of local agents including Mentawai Air.

Mentawai Air Services Firm Up

Surfers soon will be able to choose between Macas Resort's 208
Amphibian and SMA's 212-200 Rokot Based service.

Sabang Merokue Airways flew their first scheduled flight to Rokot airport in Sipura yesterday. The company is under new management (Singapore based) and they are commiting to a trial period of 3 flights per week to the Islands.

Flights are Monday, Wednesday and Saturday at 10am. The fare for local passengers is Rp400,000 one way and we are waiting on confirmation for surfers with board bags. Foreign visitors will pay $88 one way and we expect that surfers will pay about $150 one way with a total of 10 plus bags per flight. The 850m airstrip at Rokot restricts the use of larger aircraft but the company is negotiating with the Mentawai Government to extend the runway in exchange for a 25 year BOT contract.

SMA have confirmed that they are not in partnership with Mentawai Air in this venture and they say they have no JVs with that company nor any plans to develop in other sectors with the Bray Group. SMA are committed to opening up the Singapore Mentawai market and they see the area as a new and exciting destination for the lucrative and growing Singapore adventure marine sports vacation market.

SMA is owned by Batam Logistics, a Singapore based group owned by Bowstead Industries. The Board of Directors of Boustead Singapore Limited announced in a disclosure to the Singapore Stock Exchange (SGX) that it has entered into an agreement to sell 33% of its shareholding in P.T. Sabang Merauke Raya Air Charter (PT SMAC) to Sky Pact Ltd and PT Anugerah Angkasa, who will participate as new joint venture partners in PT SMAC.

Aloita Hotel are working on repowering the 60ft cat, Kerisma to act as a shuttle between Rokot and resorts in the area. The spot rate is believed to be $250 per hour and the boat will be able to carry 20 or more passengers at 25 knots+ according to the calculations. Sea trials should be complete by the end of March.

The MMTA met with SMA in Padang and requested that they operate independent of the Bray company Mentawai Air. The industry argued that it would be difficult to support the service if operators were obliged to purchase tickets from an unknown company that has vested interests in the area. SMA responded by opening up bookings to 3 agents in Padang. SMA say that Mentawai Air have only been allocated 5 seats on the 18 seat CASA 212-200 aircraft.

SMA, previously known as SMAC, are under new management and they are upgrading all their 212's. All engine overhauls are now done in Denmark and the airframes are maintained by Singapore staff.

SMA have suspended their Telos to Medan flights for 2 weeks but they now fly Padang Telos/Gunung Sitoli twice a week.

The MMTA was offered free seats on yestedays flight to Mentawai. A personal invitation to join the flight by SMA Chairman Peter Lew was overturned by the Brays at the last minute. Strange given that our efforts bought the MMTA and SMA to the table in the first place but sadly predictable. Without the full support of all operators, it is unlikely that any air carrier will make money on this pioneering route.

Meanwhile Mark Loughran from Macaronis Resort is confident that his Cessna 208 Amphibian will be flying by the end of April. The near new turboprop aircraft will carry 8 surfers and boars (in socks) or 12 passengers without boards. Mark says the new company will be called Mentawai Air Taxis and that the partners have a long term business plan that is aimed at deliving what the surfers want. Based in Padang and at the resort, the 208 will offer door-to-door charter flights to all MMTA partner resorts. Prices are still being discussed but we anticipate $200 one way will be close for surfers.

PT OMI Ask to Join MMTA

In a surprise move, PT OMI sent an SMS to the MMTA requesting membership last Saturday. PT OMI are the 9th land based operator to join making a clean sweep for the new association.

On Monday the organisers of Deep Indonesia announced that floods in Jakarta had caused the postponement of the event until some time in April. The MMTA had been asked by the Head of Tourism in Mentawai to provide material for the event and some members had already booked rooms.

On Wednesday the 7th SMAC airlines flew a demonstration flight to Rokot airport in the Mentawais. Local travel agents were invited and the flight ran smoothly. SMAC use a CASA 212 200 configured to seat 18 to leave room for surfboards. Prices and schedules will be announced Friday according to a company representative. The pilot reported that the Rokot runway was almost ready for regular service citing the need to clear some trees on the approach as his only concern. The work should take about a week.


Susi Air have so far not confirmed plans to support a Bray owned company named 'Mentawai Air' that proposes to use Susi's new Cessna Caravan aircraft for the Padang Rokot service. The MMTA have requested clarification. There was wide support for the Susi Air backed operation because the aircraft are new, servicing is done in Singapore and pilots are Canadian.

Mentawai Marine Tourism Association Founded

The inaugural meeting of the Mentawai Marine Tourism Association was held on Saturday the 27th of January in Padang. The five licensed companies were joined by 3 as yet unlicensed resort owners and all agreed to support the Mentawai Government's efforts to increase PAD revenues (regional tax) by regulating the surf industry.

The MMTA was endorsed by the Mentawai administration at the Simakakang Summit in December last year.

The five Full Members are:

- Macas Resort - PT Inter Nusa Bahagia
- Kandui Resort - PT Saraina Koat Mentawai
- Pitojat Island - PT Bangun Toro Koat
- Rags Resort - PT Bintang Samudera Mentawai
- E-Bay Resort - PT Mentawai Wisata Bahari

Associate Members are:

- Wavepark Losmen
- Aloita Resort
- Mentawai Adventure (Siolona Island)

The head of the Mentawai Department for Tourism & Culture, Drs Zulkarlin, attended the meeting and supported the MMTA's program aimed at boosting tax revenues for the island regency.

Under Mentawai's PERDA No 6 rules, the first step will be the registration of all charter vessels operating in the Mentawai area. Boat owners can register under any of the 5 licensed Marine Tour Operators. Each MTO license holder is permitted to operate a maximum of 6 vessels with a combined total of no more than 50 berths.

The MMTA has also been asked to advise the Deptment of Fisheries and Ocean Resources CORMAP program on the placement of mooring buoys at most surf breaks to stop anchor damage to coral reefs in the islands. The first 3 moorings have been installed in the Playground area near Sirius Reef.

Disputes between operators will now be resolved if possible with the assistance of the MMTA. In view of this, Mentawai Investigator has agreed to archive all content related to the dispute at Katiet while the companies involved negotiate a settlement.

PT MWB lawyers said that the Katiet Resort is currently unable to operate legally.