Mindef mulls over forward base to protect Sarawak waters

May 22, 2016

I wonder if Seaventures can rent out helideck space for drones?

Dateline 2016-04-06, Malay Mail:

Sarawak’s first forward operating base modified out of a decommissioned oil platform may be built in Bintulu waters to tighten security of the coastline town noted for its multi-billion ringgit oil and gas industry.

Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said it will be modelled after Sabah’s foward base which was completed with the cooperation of oil giant Petronas.

“If that (foward base) is suitable for implementation in Bintulu, with assistance from those in the oil and gas industry, we will be able to respond faster,” he told reporters after launching the national-level Army Veteran Entrepreneurs Carnival here today.

If the plan materialised, Hishamuddin said, the foward base would be able to operate as helicopter landing base, handling unmanned aerial vehicles, better known as drones, and station the special task force.

He said the matter will be discussed in detail with the oil and gas industry after the 11th state election as it was quite expensive to set up such facilities in the open sea.

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Posted by Wata

Tales from the Sea Bed – Seaventures

August 8, 2012

This is where platforms want to go when they die. Give me money, so I can stay there and take a photo from on deck. If you want to see what your money will get me, have a look here.

Leave a Comment » | Malaysia | Tagged: , , | Permalink
Posted by Wata

An Oil Rig’s Second, Scuba-Diving Life

September 19, 2010

An interesting combination of a hobby and work. Read about Seaventures.

From the Wall Street Journal, dateline 2010-09-18:

A onetime oil-drilling rig stands in crystal-clear waters dotted with tiny islands and their lush green hills. But most impressive is what’s underwater—an amazing array of coral reefs swarming with hundreds of species of multicolored tropical fish, sea turtles and other aquatic life. The rig has been converted to a hotel for snorkelers and especially for scuba divers.

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“So far as we know, we’re the only ones in the world using an oil rig as a hotel and diving platform,” said Suzette Harris, the Singaporean owner. Her father-in-law, a regional Malaysian official, bought the rig in Singapore in 1988 (there, she said, “you can buy a used drilling platform just like you can buy a used boat.”). He had it towed into Borneo waters.

1 Comment | business opportunity, diving, Malaysia, oil and gas | Tagged: | Permalink
Posted by Wata