13-Jan-2008 --

The story starts from 5N 116E.

This confluence is located in the South China Sea 20 km from the Coast of Borneo Island.

I actually didn’t have any intention to visit this confluence until we were already on board of the speed ferry from the city Sibu to Province Sarawak’s capital city Kuching. After departure I was studying the ferry route when I noticed that we would came very close to this confluence point. After that discovery, I was thrilled. This was going to be an easy visit!

But there was one problem to be solved: the ferry would probably not enter the 100 m circle around the confluence that is required for a successful visit. I estimated that the chances to enter that proximity would be rather slim – about 1:50. In order to improve my chances, I had to get active.

I approached the pilot and pretended to be interested in his instruments, in particular his GPS. At first he seemed cooperating – he turned his GPS map on and showed me his route. But when I explained my intention to visit the integer degree values, he just did not understand. Two more times I tried again to explain the idea of confluencing but he wouldn’t get it. A major problem was of course the language difference. But 5 minutes before we would reach the confluence I approached him again and showed one more time where I would like to get the ship navigated across. Now he started cooperating: more to the left or more to the right – we were still on direct course with 4 km to go. My vorfreude began to rise.

But then there were some tree trunks and garbage in the water. This forced the pilot to leave the course. This way we missed the confluence by 1.64 km.

I quickly went on deck and took a picture towards the confluence. A slim stripe of the coast was visible (look closely at picture #1).

I still think that this daily ferryboat is the easiest way to capture this confluence. Instead of the normal challenges that the jungle usually provides, here in particular good language and arm-twisting skills are necessary.

CP visit details:

• Time at the nearest point: 14:27 pm
• time: 4.5 h (on board of the ferry)
• Minimal distance according to GPS: 1640 m
• GPS height: -12 m (that’s what the receiver measured).
• Weather: bright, 32° C (felt temperature)
• Description of the CP: on Borneo Island near the northern coast of Sarawak Province.
• Given Name: The Awkward Pilot Confluence

Story continues at 3N 99E.

In the sea, but with a view of land.