Layang-layang Island Expedition 2006

In 2006, lead by Affendi Yang Amri of Univ. Malaya, I was invited to join an expedition to survey the marine biological resources of Layang-layang Island, Sabah. I went as MSMS scientist. The journey there was not an easy one, Mr. Affendi has overcome many hardships and negotiation to make this expedition a reality. There was many obstacle waiting for us, and one of it was from mother nature. The expedition was nearly canceled due to very rough seas. We took AirAsia flight to labuan where all of us will hitch a ride with the navy to Layang-layang island, so it was their call to go or not to go. But luckily after stranded one day in Labuan, the weather starts to clear and the navy said its a GO. So it took us nearly 9 hours to reach Layang-layang island and by the time we reach there, it was late at night. So we went to bed after settling all our stuffs.

The next morning, we went to unpack all the gears and start planning for the diving. The coolest part of this expedtion was our dive boat, we dive using the navy assault bot! The boat even have an emergency braking system and the pilot was kind enough to demonstrate it to us, it was COOL! Never knew a boat can do that :D. The fisheries research centre in Layang-layang was well equip and has a very good laboratory, so we made ourself a home there hehehhee..We thought all the hardship now was only the working part, but Mr. Murphy decide to pay us a visit and the compressor Univ. Malaysia Sabah brought brokedown and we have no way to refill our dive tanks. So with the super tight budget, Affendi somehow save the day and manage to work things out with the resort :D. After diving for a few days, and experience many interesting events (only the expeditionist know what i meant by interesting :D). It was time for us to go back, so once again, we hitch a ride, but with a cargo transport ship for the navy. It took us nearly 11 hours to reach labuan and there was no bunker :D. So we literally camp on the ship :), check out the photos below & a short video i made...

Short Video

(http://www.ocean.ukm.my/kee/layang/layang_wma.wmv)