Before the Marinas
- timalden3
- Aug 10
- 1 min read
Before the Marinas - my article in FFM Magazine issue 5 is now live. A look back at the early days of yachting in Singapore, before there was a single marina, when we were feeling our way through uncharted waters.
Grateful to be invited by Scott McCook to write this and to those who were there in those first years.
"He flew into a rage when we couldn’t get his VHF radio working, grabbed it, hurled it against the wall and promptly pulled a pistol from his desk, waving it at my boss’ head in what I can only describe as a very personal expression of customer dissatisfaction". - Before the Marinas, FFM Magazine Issue 5.
Read it here (pages 9-17): https://publuu.com/flip-book/821030/2027623
A brilliant write up with colourful pictures steep in memories for all involved.
Really enjoyed Tim’s article - I remember those days well. Somehow despite all the growth and glamour, those early days on the beach in Ponngol and Changi Sailing Club were some of the best. The ‘Kalimantan incident’, hilarious now, was no joke then. I remember that, when locked in their hotel room ( conveniently owned by Mr ‘Strongman’), they even hatched a plan to escape out the window and head for Sarawak!!
Beyond the Buoy
Come me lads and me boys
From Father's hands we go
We'll be sailing to the sun
Till the voyage is done
Then we'll be sleeping in the decks below
Lady Banshee, tis the name of Alden's ship
For the hardened and the quick
Booty in the galley, a golden glow
There's a living to be made
Or there's hell to pay
When you're sleeping in the decks below.
The morning cracks with terror and a cry
The horizon tells of union jacks on high.
A cunning admiral with the Devil in his eye.
A steely grip, I'm told.
Bring the ship about as we head to the south
Or we'll be sleeping in the cold below.