Bahasa - English Chart Text Cross Reference

 A simple cross reference, Bahasa to English for the most commonly used text descriptors when using charts in the local language. However in most cases the charts, either electronic or paper for Indonesia and Malaysia will use the Bahasa names to give detail to the chart. We printed it, laminated it, and kept it near the chart table/radio and also did one for the cockpit  chartplotter. 

Batu            (Br) Rock

Bukit          (B)        Hill

Gosang      (Gs) Bank, Shoal

Gunung      (G) Mountain

Kantangan         Mud Flat

Karang       (Kr) Reef

Palau          (P) Island

Puncak         Peak

Selat         Strait

Tanjung      (Tg) Point

Teluk         (Tk) Bay

Ujung       (Ug)      Point

Besar         Big

Kesil         Small

Laut         Sea

We also made really good use of the Google Translate App however you need a phone/internet connection to make it work. 

Country Flags

Cruising overseas must include understanding the correct protocol for flying the flag for the country you are visiting. Only once you have been granted clearance can you remove your Q flag (Quarantine) and then fly the country flag you are in.

Basically at all times of being 'in country' you must fly the countries flag higher than your own countries flag as a token of respect. Visiting country flags should be flown from the spreader on the starboard side.

Your country flag (ensign) should be flown lower and the flag should be smaller than the country you are in. However, this is not a generalized rule for all countries. Countries like Indonesia for example are extremely proud of their countries flag, we were told that it insulting for a visiting vessel to bear a smaller Indonesian country flag than their vessels home port ensign - this is not the case. You still must fly the Indonesian courtesy flag higher than your home countries but it can be a smaller courtesy flag.

Boat flag etiquette can be found all over the internet, this link is one example.

We purchased all our country flags from an Ebay shop for a great price and combined postage.

Our ensign is 1150 x 560 and we purchased all our visiting country flags size 1500 x 900 (all in mm).

** Foot note March 2017. Reflecting back we did not need such large courtesy flags. We could have gone with the smaller ones. The large ones sometimes get tangled up in supports etc. Keep in mind the flags we took did last longer than the visa so we were good. We then purchased locally made flags for good prices when the old ones wore out

Indonesian Flag

Malaysian Flag

Singapore Flag

Thailand Flag

Q-flag (for Quarantine)