Indonesian POLICE STOPPED OUR BOAT | Sailing Florence - Ep.101

Being stopped by police when sailing in foreign waters is always a worry, especially when we don't have our passports with us. In this episode we sail overnight from the Mentawai islands back to mainland Sumatra to deal with our final visa extension and return to Cubadak Island for our first ever night diving experience. Along the way we are stopped by the marine Police!
We are a British couple who set off from England in 2016 to fulfill our dream of sailing around the world on our 37ft sail boat, Florence. Along the way we share the live aboard lifestyle with the highs and lows of travelling around the world by boat, our own little tiny house. Boat life out at sea on the ocean and off the grid.
Support us on Patreon: / sailingyachtflorence
You can also follow us via our blog at www.sailwiththeflo.wordpress.com
#Sailing #sailingaroundtheworld #Indonesia #travel #covidtravel #circumnavigation #SailingYachtFlorence #offshoresailing
Music in order as played:
Keep Walking - Alvaro Angeloro - www.hooksounds.com - Creative Commons - Attribution Creative Commons 4.0 license
Perfect Lo-fi Lounge - www.hooksounds.com - Licenced
Sunshine bird - www.hooksounds.com - Licenced
Delicate Senses - www.hooksounds.com - Licenced
Universe Inside You - www.hooksounds.com - Licenced

[@bethranyaqub5460]

Thank's to much for visiting my country.. hopefully one day you will be given health time and the opportunity to come back to visit Indonesia. Salam 🙏 God bless U all

[@nickyork8901]

Looks the Indonesian police were a lot better than you might expect in a few countries I can think of, friendly and doing their job in a reasonable way.

[@maycatyuiop]

Some are good. Some are bad. Ive always had good luck with the pecalang though.

[@andrewj3177]

By my experience most are good yes, but some few are straight corrupt scammer

[@patriot4786]

Thank u

[@patriot4786]

@@andrewj3177 sadly thats in every developing country

[@nealeburgess6756]

Your being stopped by the Police reminds me of being stopped by a big Coastguard boat in Scotland. My wife and I, along with our two sons were on a little boat with a pop pop outboard. We decided as the weather was fantastic, and the sea completely calm, to go to an island off the coast, about 12 miles away. The trip took longer than we expected, so the owners (a campsite) were concerned that we hadn't returned on time. They alerted the coastguard. They called us to come along side their boat (safer for us to do the maneuvre as we were tiny in comparison to them. They interviewed us, then gave us a lecture about the dangers if the weather changed etc. Then insisted on escorting us to the shore. When we arrived, there was another of their colleagues waiting to give us another lecture. All very embarassing, but all done with the best of intentions. The highlight of the trip was that both ways we saw a whale, and heard it blow from it's blow hole. We had been looking out for seals, but had no idea there was a possibility of seeing a whale (or whales - don't know if it was the same one both ways). Definitely a very memorable day (about 30 years ago).

[@evslone]

Great dives, especially the colors from the night dive. I hope the people who just clicked to see the police encounter stay to enjoy two fantastic underwater encounters.

[@Thomas-eu6fj]

You guys are one of the most likable couples on KZbin !

[@macktruckergirl6049]

Oh my gosh, I can't WAIT to finish my Open Dive course so I can get my 3 certification dives in! I think I could live under water! Absolutely stunning footage!

[@sadarudin7650]

Terima kasih atas kunjunganya🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻👍👍👍👍💪💪💪💪💪💖💖💖💖

[@MrLebro11]

Another great episode. Indonesian people are so friendly including the Police. Now that’s refreshing! Great night dive. Another thing to tick off the list of exceptionally-fun-things-to-do. I had really hoped you’d visit us down under in Australia, you’re so close! But crossing the Indian Ocean gets you that much closer to home which I’m sure you’re longing for.

[@skiyalater626]

OMG, I hope this works out. Leaving your passport anywhere is scary at best! Lost, misplaced, stolen or copied, you could be screwed.. Lucky police didn't request them. Love your VLOG

[@emlynjay8633]

A week out of each Month to renew Visas ! You have the necessary philosophical acceptance of the inevitable and patience in abundance!

[@clarencebirdashaw8117]

Good job folks. getting Hooked watching your Videos.

[@johnswan6759]

That evening sail looked fantastic. I could almost taste the atmosphere. Cant wait for the next adventure. Thanks so much guys

[@mosca3289]

Cheers Florence.

[@revans4774]

100 k subs soon I think people are starting to get it ☺️

[@KandiSueTheBlue]

Thank you for another wonderful vlog😎👍🌴🌬⛵⚓🦘

[@ABeriault]

Lovely night dive Florence! Love it ! Cheers

[@SVBlownAway]

Great video as always!

[@geoffpalmer6424]

Seems so long since your last video I thought you had been arrested!!!!

[@francismontocchio9910]

Wonderful video! Thank you!

[@grahamatsea3575]

I guess that's one big advantage of hydrovane in that it turns it's own rudder, no lines to the wheel etc .

[@paulmccormick4701]

Great episode! Thank you for sharing this experience 😊

[@dakardad1]

Love you two. Thanks so much.

[@downundertruckerusa4733]

Outstanding

[@gregn1491]

Wow great video. Nice photography, easy to follow, small stories, info on sailing and visas. Glad I watched, nice job!

[@erkanpartal2560]

Always pleasure watching your videos, loved diving part of it especially night dive. Well done Amy, you did really well.

[@gauaja8237]

Wow amazing

[@davidsansebastian7872]

Thank you for sharing !👍👍⛵⛵⛵⛵

[@mikehogan9265]

I did a double take on the long boat that took you diving. I'm in Oz and I have that exact boat! Roto moulded plastic. We bought it in PNG in 2000. Still have it.

[@johnnyjoe0515]

try doing a day time dive on a reef and go back to the same reef for a night dive. hugely different.

[@davidmontgomery1016]

I've been diving several years now and night dives are still a bit scary to me. But, like you found, totally fascinating once you get down there. I have had the opportunity to dive the same area in the daytime then again that night. The change is amazing. Being sailors and scuba divers is a great combination. I started sailing in the early seventies and diving in the early nineties. Love them both.

[@sidikpermana2094]

Welcome to Indonesia...selamat datang 😀😀😀

[@Ed-uj4bc]

You’ve certainly made lemonade during the pandemic haven’t you! Good on ya eh ! 🇨🇦

[@peterbryan3295]

Hi guys just wanted to wish you both a safe passage.looking forward to seeing it.. enjoy the boat work lol.looking forward to seeing that too.keep the great content coming.⚓⛵🍺👍😉😊

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

Thanks Peter, We are a bit ahead of the videos and are now waiting for a weather window to set off!

[@nigelmorgan3449]

Another cracking video like the night dive

[@St.Batuah]

I'm from Padang....nice to know you guys♥️♥️, hv a nice sailing....👍👍👍👍, sorry...my english too bad🤣🤣🤣

[@Diggers57]

Nice one

[@potterkelly487]

Thank you, I have been watching for a long time. I learned something, did not know turtles sleep or how.

[@JK-sh2ij]

So happy to see you night diving!! It was fun to see your apprehension turn into wonder in the space of an hour underwater - there really is nothing like the reef at night. Now find some phosphorescent plankton and wave your fins!!

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

We have actually been on a second night dive since because we loved it so much, we did see some the phosphorescent plankton then! :-)

[@Tomm9y]

Great underwater footage , even with a GoPro. Safe passge across the Indian Ocean.

[@bdphourde]

I'm guessing the 'police' didn't speak English very well or they should have called you well in advance on the radio to prevent the anxiety you experienced, especially since it was a courtesy visit and not an "inspection". I take it you don't have your own dive tanks or compressor yet. Which I'm sure is why you haven't gotten the underwater photography tools yet. But even so, I really appreciated seeing what you did film and it was really enjoyable. Do you dive on an anchor site ahead of time to check to see if your anchor and chain will be draped over coral? Have you had to anchor at night? I'm looking forward to seeing the Seychelles! I'm just curious, is dragging 23K viewers along behind the boat each week much of a drag on the progress? :)

[@williamcopeland6683]

A bit behind the video curve.. loved the 100th meal with fresh baked rolls.. lol

[@murrayisabeth1897]

Great video Matt and Amy. Amy good on you for over coming your fear for the night dive,it looked beautiful and something you will cherish for every. I did find it amusing that the police (even though very friendly)give out face masks to people who have no contact with people while sailing. Well good luck with the up and coming preparations for your big passage. Stay safe and fair winds. From New Zealand 🇳🇿

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

Thanks, we are currently a bit ahead of the videos and waiting for a weather window for the crossing!

[@lawnitenisa2680]

hello from Indonesia

[@MrBernie101]

Well, you two are surely good ambassadors for us boaters, even the local fuzz were considerate and kind....Now, NIGHT DIVING, I told you, didn't I tell you, that you'd love it. I am so glad you got to try it, and with an Instructor that you have come to trust. But now, as you say, it's all preparatory work, in order to cross the Indian Ocean. I wish you well and safe passage. Oh, and don't forget those passports !!!! .🤣🤣😎👍👍

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

We actually loved it so much that we did the night dive twice!

[@JosephMullin]

Night diving in New England the mackeral have a tendency to travel down the edge of your beam then swim across it and take off into the dark.

[@mataperjalanan]

I am really so sad that the process is very time consuming. As local citizen I also feel the same.

[@stevelambert7496]

Thanks for another video I enjoyed it very much. You guys are awesome. Glad you avoided the sharks and crocodiles in the dark I kept waiting for the music from jaws to start playing but that would have probably been a copywrite violation

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

Thanks Steve, we do have to be careful about the copyrights. However you might like our first ever shark experience back in EP21: kzbin.info/www/bejne/eH2uhmp-npZ_oNk we had a bit of fun editing that one.

[@stevelambert7496]

@@SailingYachtFlorence lol I forgot about that one you guys have a great memory about the episodes. I have watched them all a few times and I had forgotten about the jaws music. That is one of my favorite things about your channel how you have fun with the videos and editing.

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

@Steve Lambert By the time a video goes live we have probably re-lived the moment in edit at least 50 times so it is easy to remember! At that first meeting with the shark we were genuinely terrified, but by the next episode we had relaxed and went looking for them! Our first shark experience will be clear in our memories for ever!

[@stevelambert7496]

@@SailingYachtFlorence lol I guess it would if you guys ever make it San Francisco maybe on your second or third lap the great white shark breeding ground is right outside the golden gate Bridge so the jaws music will be really appropriate there

[@mikefaban4009]

Thanks for your vlog guys, I'm enjoying it and its feeding my dreams... I've recently bought an Oyster heritage too. It looks like you have a staysail rigged on the inner forestay - is that right ?

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

Yes, the staysail is new since Thailand. We also have a working/storm jib that we hank onto the inner stay if we need it.

[@mikefaban4009]

@@SailingYachtFlorence Thanks for the response - Is it a hanked on staysail? Looks like it might have been wrapped round the forestay - or do you have a second roller ?

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

We just have hank on sails for the inner stay :-)

[@neilgordon8145]

Cool to be given more face masks! Safe sailing!

[@meh4743]

I always look forward to your videos . Thank you for sharing your adventure. God Bless and protect you both. Cheers!

[@klaudiaskyes2922]

Hi, can you do a few minutes on how you manage the time whilst cruising. Do you have a ships clock set at UTC? Do you set a separate clock to local time as you pass a meridian?

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

Hi Klaudia, When we are at sea we are our own little time zone and we make it up as we go along, the actual time is largely irrelevant. We have however managed to arrive and stay in a country for over a week with our clocks an hour out. We only noticed when invited to another boat for dinner and we turned up an hour early (good job we weren't late!).

[@klaudiaskyes2922]

@@SailingYachtFlorence Thanks for your reply, I'm getting to the end of my refit and about to set off on a similar journey. I was wondering how I'd be setting clocks every time I'd enter a country, suddenly jumping timezones. My friend just left this boatyard by truck for a marina, imagine his log entry, heading W, speed 50Kn, LOL

[@Boediprasetya]

Selamat malam

[@chriskirkman5425]

Well done again. Go you sweet things. Choc dee. 5555 (hahahaha)

[@MrRourk]

Scary stuff indeed. Sounds like a red tape nightmare. Hope you can get out of it.

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

You need a lot of patience and perseverance to get through the red tape here, but generally the officials are friendly. They are just stuck with a process that could do with being modernised and streamlined!

[@mallikarjuna6481]

Hi amy & matt , are u guys stopping over at andamans & srilanka during your indian Ocean passage .

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

Sadly not we are sailing direct to the seychelles, most other places are shut to yachts or have severe restrictions in place.

[@rickjanicki3705]

Can I ask Why your scooting straight over to the Seychelles and not calling in to India? Your book shelves are fascinating. proper eclectic mix.

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

Hi Rick, Seychelles is open and we have permission to enter there, most other places are closed to yachts at the moment. India is in the northern Hemisphere which is now in cyclone season, we try to stay out of cyclone season!

[@redstone5149]

I’m getting seasick just watching this video😞

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

Ha ha, wait for the ones of crossing the Indian Ocean, that will get really bouncy!

[@jayenuu]

Hi Matt and Amy. I must say that I am a bit blue. I just binge watched your entire journey (so far). You have had such an amazing adventure and wonderful attitude especially with all the twists and turns that have happened in the past year. Now I have to wait a whole two weeks to see your next episode:(. I really enjoy your episodes where you show the realities of sailing. Also, your video production skills have really improved from beginning to now. The drone footage has been a big plus. I look forward to seeing your future sails across the Indian Ocean and beyond. My seven year old actually chooses your videos over cartoons. Cheers!

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

Hi Josh, Thanks for getting in touch, that is a lovely comment and has cheered up our rainy morning as we wait here for a weather window to depart. Hello to your 7 year old, being chosen over cartoons is a top compliment! Cheers Matt and Amy

[@jayenuu]

@@SailingYachtFlorence Finneas (my seven year old) jumped with joy at your reply. He even suggested that I could be one of your “top commentators.” 😂

[@GunaGuna-mg7hk]

For just information,that Indonesia government is battling with Drugs smuggling, especially on the west of Indonesia that close with Asia continent

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

We would love to know your general route back home after this long upcoming leg.😁🛫

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

The rough plan is Seychelles, South Africa, Namibia, St Helena, maybe some stops in South America if safe, Caribbean, Azores, England. However all of that could change and it could be done in a year of sailing without seeing much or a few years of exploring. At the moment we are not planning any further than South Africa in detail.

[@Ed-uj4bc]

@@SailingYachtFlorence glad to hear you’re travelling further west to the Caribbean before going home. You guys have a great channel so it’s good to hear it’ll last longer than I thought

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

@@SailingYachtFlorence the reason I asked was there are some pretty unsavory places in north east Africa that could be inviting to take a cruise through the MED to get back to England. Avoiding that area it totally worth the extra miles and adventure. Considering the safety factor. Stay away from Somali the pirates there are so stupid to challenge the United States Navy.

[@TheFalconJetDriver]

Something that I am sure we would all enjoy seeing is the route and time line of the places you have explored since you left home! I have been following you for over a year and it has been a weekly adventure to see your travels. As former owner of an Irwin 45 Ketch I felt it was a Blue water sailor, my longest adventure was from the North East of the USA to the West Indies. My employment did not allow me to be more adventurous.😁🛫

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

@Ed H Just to say getting home to England would not necessarily be the end... who knows what will happen by then but we are not ruling out a second lap!

[@scottysscandinavia5793]

Covid's been a godsend for jobsworths

[@robertpugsley6326]

Please be careful sailing towards Somali, Horn of Africa and the Gulf of Aden. Piracy from Somali. Should avoid sailing in there waters!!!! Check out US State Department warning!!!! Be safe guys

[@stephenburnage7687]

They are going to go round South Africa

[@robertpugsley6326]

@@stephenburnage7687 Hello Stephen, I posted that before they left western Indonesia. They have since updated their route. Thanks.

[@tomenns6236]

Show us the boat work

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

Ok we will in the next vid.

[@sheerluckholmes5468]

With the amount of time you have spent there you would think that you would qualify for Indonesian citizenship negating the need for monthly check ins. 😁😁😁

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

That would be nice!

[@NathanGinn]

Sounds like too many loop holes and red tape. I’d leave that area

[@Matthew-ut6ed]

You do realise that for a year they had NO CHOICE? All borders were closed so there was nowhere else for them to go...

[@mojoden]

Please, no more " doof-doof " muzak . My neighbours are getting the wrong impression.

[@tracyraley4003]

How do you get a torch to burn under water?

[@tracyraley4003]

Thanks Sherlock 🤪

[@skippy9214]

The torch can have both the oxidizer and fuel. This is how many rockets work, instead of getting oxygen from the air you can get it from a chemical.

[@ryanandmichellemcguire1574]

British torch = US flashlight

[@tracyraley4003]

@@ryanandmichellemcguire1574 wow🤪🤪🤪

[@canadiantraveler6060]

will u buy dive gear now?

[@jaac7546]

Where would they stow it ?

[@canadiantraveler6060]

@@jaac7546 good point

[@MrBernie101]

@Edward Pardy I keep diving gear aboard my boat Edward, which is a foot shorter than theirs, but it does bring with it an awkward logistic. Every 3 years the diving cylinders need to be tested and it's very rare that a Testing Station is found to be on a quayside. Plus, if a cylinder is "out of date" it will not get filled. As simple as that. Barnacle Bern. 👍👍

[@SailingYachtFlorence]

For now we plan to hire the dive gear and go on some led trips when we are somewhere with good diving. It would be a big investment and we would need to use the kit often enough to make it worth while. Although if we really wanted to we could fit the kit onboard, getting to the dive sites is more difficult because we only have a tiny dinghy with a tiny engine. We have just borrowed Marco's kit to clean off the hull and transporting it out from the beach in our dinghy showed this problem. So for now we will hire kit, maybe in the future a bigger boat with a bigger dinghy will make more sense for having our own dive kit.

[@Boediprasetya]

Pri

[@MikeHarrison3266]

What I find odd is that you are forced to stay in the area, no choice, and yet you have to get permission each month to stay in the area. Would they kick you out if your visa was not updated? Also, are you having a large number of visitors on a regular basis that would suggest you might contaminate or become contaminated, why out on the open water would TWO people on a boat need facemasks?

[@philgray1023]

I wondered if you just didn't apply to stay would they just order you out of the country without all the palava. I'm guessing not.

[@jimdee9801]

I hate these ineffective face nappies - why did they think u needed them out at sea. Makes .e sick

[@greenpedal370]

I care very little for climate change, social justice, covid or the Biden/Trump feud, but plastic in the ocean really stresses me out!

[@nabhanashiddiqie8838]

All Indonesia was can speak English and all people in Indonesia they can't speak English

[@johnswan6759]

That evening sail looked fantastic. I could almost taste the atmosphere. Cant wait for the next adventure. Thanks so much guys