BOOK REVIEW | South China Sea – Singapore to Hong Kong via the Gulf of Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei, the Philippines and Taiwan.

One of the most generally fascinating parts of the maritime world, the South China Sea and its surrounding coasts and islands are brilliantly described here in this high class publication of Imray Laurie Norie and Wilson in conjunction with the Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation.

The surveying for this pilot has been conducted by a couple sailing a 14 metre yacht. It is the first such “pilot” published since the excellent Cruising Guide to Southeast Asia by Elaine Morgan and Stephen Davies was produced by the same publisher in 1998. Massive changes, particularly political ones, have affected the region since then so a major overhaul was required.

Nevertheless, most of the charms of the area have not been lost since Morgan and Davies surveyed and presented it so well a quarter of a century ago. Your reviewer has covered it extensively, unfortunately by aircraft, ferry, warship and police boat rather than by yacht, and can willingly vouch for the author’s claims. It is a very special part of the world. Its geographic, historical, cultural, culinary, biological and aquatic attractions are endless.

All of the features of the region, both good and bad, are well described here. It is an honest and accurate guide that, hopefully, will entice more people to voyage through the area both commercially and for pleasure.

Author: Jo Winter

Available from Imray Laurie Norie and Wilson, St Ives, Cambridgeshire, UK.

Web: www.imray.com