CHARTER · MALAYSIA

Chartering a boat in Malaysia: licence, rules and safety

Last verified: 14 October 2026

EMERGENCY AT SEACall 999 and ask for the Coastguard. MAYDAY on VHF 16 · DSC 70.

Season and weather

Southwest Monsoon from late May to September; Northeast Monsoon from November to March. The Northeast Monsoon is the main rainy season and brings strong winds and rough seas in the South China Sea, with heavy rain on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, west Sarawak and east Sabah.

Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) · Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) ▾

met.gov.my (2026-10-14): “The weather in Malaysia is characterized by two monsoon regimes, namely the Southwest Monsoon that starts from late May to September, and the Northeast Monsoon from November to March.”

met.gov.my (2026-10-14): “producing strong winds and rough seas in the South China Sea as well as heavy rain on the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia, west of Sarawak and east of Sabah.”

Forecast: MetMalaysia publishes a Marine Forecast for Shipping by sea area (e.g. Northern and Southern Straits of Melaka, Samui, Tioman, Labuan, Sulu) and issues Strong Wind & Rough Seas warnings. The first warning level (winds 40–50 km/h and/or waves up to 3.5 m) is classed as dangerous to small craft and all recreational activities and water sports.

Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) · Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) · Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) ▾

met.gov.my (2026-10-14): “Marine Forecast for Shipping”

met.gov.my (2026-10-14): “Strong winds with wind speeds from 40-50 kmph and/or rough seas with wave heights of up to 3.5 meters.”

met.gov.my (2026-10-14): “Dangerous to small crafts.”

Hazards and warnings

Kidnapping threat: the UK advises against all but essential travel to the islands and dive sites off eastern Sabah from Sandakan to Tawau, including Lankayan Island (the Sabah mainland is not included).

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾

gov.uk (2026-10-14): “advises against all but essential travel to all islands and dive sites off the coast of eastern Sabah from Sandakan to Tawau, including Lankayan Island, due to the threat of kidnapping. This does not apply to the mainland of Sabah.”

Piracy and attacks on ships occur, particularly in the Strait of Malacca and between Sabah and the southern Philippines.

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾

gov.uk (2026-10-14): “There have been attacks against ships in and around Malaysian waters, particularly in the Strait of Malacca and the waters between Sabah and the southern Philippines.”

Squall lines are often seen during the Southwest Monsoon along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and East Malaysian coasts facing the South China Sea.

Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) ▾

met.gov.my (2026-10-14): “Storm lines are often seen during the Southwest monsoon along the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia and the coastal areas of East Malaysia facing the South China Sea.”

The wrecks of HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales off Kuantan are protected places: look, don't touch, and use only operators licensed for the wreck site.

UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ▾

gov.uk (2026-10-14): “The diving sites of HMS Repulse and HMS Prince of Wales, which lie in international waters off Kuantan, have been declared ‘protected places’ under the Protection of Military Remains Act 1986. Only dive there on a ‘look not touch’ basis.”

On the radio

MRCC Putrajaya keeps a 24-hour watch on VHF Ch 16 (156.800 MHz), DSC Ch 70 (156.525 MHz) and 2182 kHz.

Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia (AIP Malaysia, GEN 3.6, Table 3: Distress Frequency Guard) ▾

aip.caam.gov.my (2026-10-14): “156.800 MHz (Channel 16) 156.525 MHz (Channel 70) 2182 KHz 24 Hours MRCC Putrajaya”

Charter bases in Malaysia

Langkawi Penang

Before you sail

All rescue numbers for Malaysia Print an emergency card Person overboard: what to do Engine failure: what to do when you lose power Thunderstorms, lightning and squalls on the water: what to do Ran aground? What to do

Frequently asked

When is the best time to sail in Malaysia, and when is storm season?

What is the emergency number at sea in Malaysia?

Call 999 and ask for the Coastguard. On the radio: MAYDAY on VHF channel 16, or a DSC distress alert on channel 70.

Other charter countries

Every line above is a plain-English summary of an official source — open “▾” for the exact wording. Rules change: confirm with your charter company and the local authority.