Lingga Islands

Last week, Vega joined Nongsa Point marina’s Neptune Regatta. And what an eye-opener that voyage proved to be. Situated right on the equator just south of Singapore and east of Sumatra, Lingga Archipelago might as well be located next door to nowhere. We were totally unprepared for what we encountered there. Traditionally the main industry was fishing. But not any more. There are simply no fish left to be caught, and raising sea levels are rapidly contaminating the island’s freshwater wells. So, while the other boats raced, we busied ourselves delivering what few educational and medical supplies we had on board to Batu Belubang island. Having seen how neglected these backwater islands, so near to Singapore and Batam, are, we have now added them to our yearly route.