I checked in at Pengelih last week, following the advice from the marina (Senibong) that this would be easier as it’s a one-stop facility. Just anchor off and dinghy ashore to the facility.

Jabatan Laut check-in went smoothly, but then I was advised by an officer (emigres as it turned out) that as my previous port clearance from Tioman had Johor Bahru on it, I had to do the rest of the check-in at Johor Bahru. Seemed odd enough to me for me to question the advice, but upon request, I showed my last port clearance and was definitely told to do the rest at the marina in Senibong.

This was absolutely incorrect.

A) Senibong Marina does not have the facility to do this, which is why they advise stopping at Pengelih en-route!

B) I didn’t need immigration at all as I was already an arrived person in Malaysia. (I had flown into my boat a month previously and had not left Malaysian territory).

C) I needed to clear in with customs at Pengelih having just cleared in with Jabatan Laut there.

I arrived at Senibong Marina and spoke to them about it. They advised seeing Customs in Johor Bahru the next day ( a 20-minute cab ride away).

So, I did that. Customs could not clear me in in JB until I had cleared it with Jabatan Laut in JB!

This involved another taxi ride (about 5km) and waiting time. The Jabatan Laut was not located anywhere handy to hailing another taxi and return to customs (30RM), to hand over the new check-in papers.

I was also advised that having checked in at JB, I MUST check out at JB, I can NOT check out from Pengelih.

So lesson for new arrivals.

Do it all at Pengelih.

Don’t leave until you have seen Jabatan Laut and Customs and immigration (if you need to).

I hope this helps.

Liz

K’GARI

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