SY OKISOLLO ๐บ๐ธ Jeanne & Dan - Island Packet '52
Marina Chiapas MX at sunset and Plenty of room! Weโre hoping to leave early next week!
SY DAWN PATROL ๐บ๐ธ Aney & Laney - Outbound 46
2) OCEAN POSSE CARIBBEAN PARTY @ SHELTER BAY MARINA - RECAP
with over 100 yachts in attendance from 30 countries the festivities carried on well into the night - save the date Jan 31 2026 is confirmed for next year !
A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL OUR SPONSORS
Shelter Bay Marina ยท Panama Yacht Broker ยท Wikus Auto Marine ยท Dutch Marine Services ยท Whally Boats ยท Flor de Caรฑa ยท MBE Rio Hato ยท The Yacht Co Sukimotor SA ยท Centenario Consulting
3) โ CHANGES IN ๐ต๐ซ FRENCH POLYNESIA
Anchoring Restrictions and Registrations:
In recent years, authorities have introduced anchoring regulations in many popular destinations. Yachts are now often required to use designated mooring buoys or dock in marinas. Anchoring is prohibited and in areas such as Papeete, Bora Bora, and Fakarava, and is severely restricted in Moorea, Raiatea, and Huahine. For instance, in Tahiti's Taina area, plans have been made to clear existing anchorages, with proposals to relocate vessels to other zones, some of which lack adequate landing facilities a.m.o.
Starting in June !
- just as the next cruising fleet arrives you need to reserve your anchorage :
Vessels with less than 20 meters in LOA will need utilize a new online system.
As per the AVP up to 1,200 private yachts are in French Polynesia and generate 4 to 5 billion XPF in revenue every year ( ~ 40 M USD)
VISA ALERT !!! IF YOUR LSV HAS THE FOLLOWING MARKINGS You cannot extend your 180-day or 360-day long stay visa forcing you to leave upon it's expiration regardless of weather or cyclonic conditions
5) ... IN THE SPIRIT OF PASSING THROUGH FRENCH POLYNESIA IN 90 DAYS
The OCEAN POSSE is working on creating a hassle free 90 day sail through French Polynesia way point map to traverse French Polynesia and move on to the other 10,000 islands and island nations of the South Pacific - which will minimize the interaction with restricted anchorages and reduce friction for visiting yachts and be in compliance.
The Ocean Posse is also a member of the Association des Voiliers en Polynesie (AVP) We look forward to developing this 90 day plan in conjunction with local knowledge to minimize friction for our member yachts.
6) ZIHUATANEJO ๐ฒ๐ฝ SAIL FEST Feb 9 - 22 2025
Zihuatanejo Sail Fest is an annual event in the pacific coastal town of Zihuatanejo, Mexico. This festival typically takes place in early February and is a celebration of sailing, music, and community.
The event features a variety of activities, including:
Sailing Regattas: Local and visiting sailors participate in races and cruises along the stunning coastline.
Live Music and Entertainment: Performances by local and visiting musicians create a festive atmosphere.
Beach Parties and Barbecues: Great food, drinks, and fun on the beach for locals and tourists alike.
Charity Fundraising: One of the primary goals of Sail Fest is to raise funds for local educational initiatives, helping to improve schools and support children's education in the area.
These bright young students, all scoring 80% or higher in school, come from low-income families and spend half their day at Casa Pacifica. There, they receive extra education in computers, English, ethics, and valuesโplus a hearty meal, all made possible by Por Los Niรฑos. Sailors can sign up to sponsor a child or meet the one theyโre already supporting.
Biosecurity in Australia at a national level is run by DAFF Each one of the states and territories has additional biosecurity and layers of compliance
The Australian Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) are developing biofouling management options for international non-commercial vessels.
DAFF have released a survey to gather information on current biofouling management practices and get your feedback on possible biofouling management options. The survey will be open until 24th February 2025.
DAFF wants to hear from you if you have an opinion on biofouling management options for international non-commercial vessels entering Australia, or have entered Australia on a non-commercial vessel in the last 36 months.
The survey is anonymous and will help inform Australia's biofouling requirements for non-commercial vessels.
Invasive sea creatures (BIO-FOULING) are not allowed in Australia, including the Asian green mussel, black-striped false mussel, Chinese mitten crab, European shore crab, Northern Pacific seastar, brown mussel, Harris' mud crab, and New Zealand green-lipped mussel, all considered "marine pests"
Northern Pacific seastars are not poisonous or dangerous to people or domestic animals when finding Northern Pacific sea stars do not to return them to the water
MEET AND MINGLE WITH THE SOUTH PACIFIC 25โฒ CRUISING FLEET
11) VAVA'U BOATYARD ๐น๐ด TONGA SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE
18ยฐ 38.625โฒ S 173ยฐ 59.7483โฒ W
The island groups of Tonga are are some of the most beautiful in the world. But the lack of secure hurricane/cyclone storage has always meant there was that deadline, when cruisers have to leave this paradise far too soon and seek shelter in Fiji or New Zealand. The BoatYard is a brand new yacht haulage and hard stand facility in Vavaโu, the first in Tonga, and has turned Tonga into a safe year-round cruising destination!
We can offer your members a 10% discount on cyclone season storage and long time hardstand storage.
All visiting yachts will need to submit an Advance Notice of Arrivals form to info@customs.gov.to at least 24 hours prior to arrival.
The island groups of Tonga are are some of the most beautiful in the world. But the lack of secure hurricane/cyclone storage has always meant there was that deadline, when cruisers have to leave this paradise far too soon and seek shelter in Fiji or New Zealand. The BoatYard is a brand new yacht haulage and hard stand facility in Vavaโu, the first in Tonga, and has turned Tonga into a safe year-round cruising destination!
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO - INCREASED OUTBOARD THEFTS IN BOCAS DEL TORO
Use any and all dinghy locks around fuel tanks - outboards and dinghies this can thwart a thief - tie dinghies to a tree !
Stainless Steel tamper resistant Padlocks with a heavy chain
Dinghy and outboard motor thefts are concerns for boaters worldwide including recent data for La Cruz, Mexico !
Preventive Measures
Lift and Lock: When not in use, hoist your dinghy out of the water using a halyard and secure it with a strong lock. This makes it less accessible to potential thieves.
Use Security Devices: Employ theft protection devices such as cables, chains, and locks specifically designed for dinghies and outboard motors. These can deter opportunistic thefts.
Install Tracking Devices: Consider placing a GPS tracker on your dinghy or outboard motor. In the event of theft, this can assist in recovery by providing real-time location data.
Be Vigilant in High-Risk Areas: In regions with known theft issues, remain extra cautious. Always lock your dinghy and outboard, and avoid leaving them unattended for extended periods.
Short-finned pilot whale (Globicephala macrorhynchus) are found in warmer tropical and subtropical waters.
Pilot whales have bulbous, rounded heads with no distinct beak.
They have a dark gray or black body with a lighter patch behind the dorsal fin (sometimes called a โsaddleโ).
Males can grow up to 24 feet (7.3 meters) long and weigh over 3,000 kg (6,600 lbs).
Females are slightly smaller.
Pilot whales are highly social and live in tight-knit pods of 10 to 100 individuals, sometimes more.
They are known for their strong family bonds, and individuals rarely leave their pods.
Like other dolphins, they use echolocation to navigate and hunt.
Pilot whales are very intelligent and show complex communication and cooperation.
Their diet mainly consists of squid and deep-sea fish.
They are deep divers, reaching depths of up to 3,000 feet (900 meters) in search of food.
Unfortunately these whales are one of the most common species involved in mass strandings.
The exact reasons are unclear, but possible causes include navigational errors, sickness, following a distressed pod member, or human disturbances.
Rescuers Save 130 Beached Pilot Whales in Western Australia After Mass Stranding in western Australia
14) GOOD NAUTICAL
FULANGA - LAU GROUP ๐ซ๐ฏ FIJI
APPROACH
โ 19ยฐ 8.9160' S, 178ยฐ 33.9415' W
Stunning atoll in the Lau Group of Fiji. Fulaga is known for its stunning turquoise lagoon, limestone islets, and traditional Fijian villages.
Main Anchorage: Most yachts anchor in the southeast side of the lagoon, near the village of Muana-i-cake. The holding is usually good in sand patches.
Navigation Caution: Entering the lagoon requires careful navigation through a narrow pass with strong currents. Attempt at slack tide with a slight outflow for enhanced rudder response.
Permits & Sevusevu: Visiting yachts must present sevusevu (a traditional kava ceremony) to the village chief before anchoring or exploring.
15) MEET THE FLEET
We are Lizzy and Steve on NOT ALL THERE (we call our dinghy "definitely"), a Lagoon 421. We retired and sold everything in Alberta, Canada in 2017, moved down to Florida, bought Not All There (NAT), learned to sail, and set off in 2018. We've have been living aboard fulltime ever since. We came through the canal during COVID, and not being able to get to FP, we followed the suggestion to come to the Sea of Cortez, and we have spent the past four summers here. Now it is time to move on, and we are hard at work in LaPaz getting all the last minute details seen to before we set off. It is good to be here, and we hope to meet at least some of you as time goes on.
16) BENEFITS OF JOINING THE OCEAN POSSE THE GESTALT COMMUNICATIONS PROTOCOL
Speak from your own experiences rather than giving advice or opinions
Use โIโ statements instead of โYouโ statements โ
IE: We sailed from A to B and โฆ this is what happened to us
DONโT: โyou should sail from A to B and you could do this โฆ โ
Donโt speak in generalities be specific share a relevant past experience โ both good and bad.
โ๏ธ Up to date and verified information by fellow yachts โ๏ธ
๐ Communications focused on facts, not opinions or unsolicited advice โ๏ธ
๐ฐ Save real money at 70+ Marinas with discounts * โ๏ธ
๐ฐ๏ธ Free vessel and fleet tracking courtesy of Predict Wind โ
๐ฉ Free Burgee โ๏ธ
๐ฐ Save with service providers and chandleries โ๏ธ
๐ต๏ธ dedicated, experienced and discounted Canal and clearing in agents โ๏ธ
๐บ๏ธ Free aid to navigation 150 Gb OpenCPN satellite charts (mac/pc/android) โ๏ธ
๐ฐ Save Money on parts with a Westmarine Pro Discount โ๏ธ
๐ฐ Save Money with a Predict Wind Pro Discount โ๏ธ
๐บ๏ธ Free Printable Reference Charts emergency backup to your electronics โ๏ธ
๐น Free Video Seminars on destinations from those who are there โ๏ธ
๐ฉ๏ธ Top weather routing avail by Marine Weather Center Chris Parker โ๏ธ
โต Community of voyagers all are welcome, kids, single-handers, pets โ๏ธ
โ Peer support in emergencies with escalation procedures โ๏ธ
๐ Fleet Updates via email โ free โ๏ธ
๐ Fun Award Categories โ๏ธ
๐ Free access to GOOD NAUTICAL Anchorage reports โ๏ธ
โ๏ธ Free Weekly live calls on Mondays via dedicated LINE.me group โ๏ธ
๐ฌ Free 24/7 LINE group channel โ๏ธ
๐ Benefit from the latest information and prior experience participants โ๏ธ
๐ญ Be part of a fleet of sensor for those who come behind you or meet โ๏ธ
๐ท Always priority traffic โ for participants by participants โ๏ธ
(* as long as you do not have prior contracts or reservations in place and subject to a marinaโs availability )
Boat How To is an online platform that provides educational resources on boat electrics, systems, and maintenance. They offer courses, guides, and technical advice for boat owners and DIY enthusiasts.
Boat How To supports Ocean Posse by providing discounts, technical guidance, and technical resources to participants.
18) YACHT PORT CARTAGENA ๐ช๐ธ SPAIN SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE
37ยฐ 35.7733โฒ N 000ยฐ58.6633โฒ W
19) ARE YOU EXPERIENCED ?
Every year, the historic city of Cartagena, Spain, transforms into a battleground where the past roars back to life in one of the most spectacular historical reenactments in the worldโthe Fiestas de Carthagineses y Romanos!
This epic festival, held every September, plunges visitors into the heart of the Second Punic War (218โ201 BC), when the mighty Carthaginian general Hannibal Barca and his warriors clashed with the rising power of Rome over control of the Iberian Peninsula. The city, once a crucial Carthaginian stronghold known as Qart Hadasht, fell to the Roman general Scipio Africanus in a dramatic siege in 209 BCโan event that changed the course of history.
The Festival Experience
For ten electrifying days, Cartagena is split into two rival factions: the Carthaginians and the Romans. Thousands of costumed participants march through the streets in formation, donning detailed armor, flowing togas, and fierce war paint. The air vibrates with the clash of swords, the beat of war drums, and the cheers of the crowd.
Key Events You Canโt Miss:
๐ฅ Hannibalโs Oath โ Witness the legendary general swear an unbreakable vow before the gods to conquer Rome, setting the stage for the coming battles.
โ๏ธ Naval Landings & Skirmishes โ The Carthaginians storm the beaches, preparing for war, while Roman legions drill in the streets.
๐ The Grand Roman Victory โ A stunning reenactment of the siege and capture of Qart Hadasht, where Scipio's disciplined legions overwhelm the cityโs defenses.
๐ Massive Night Celebrations โ Fireworks, feasts, and wild parties spill into the streets as the victors revel in their triumph.
The Fiestas de Carthagineses y Romanos is more than just a reenactmentโitโs a time machine, a thrilling spectacle, and a city-wide party all rolled into one. If you have ever dreamed of standing on an ancient battlefield, feeling the rush of history beneath your feet, Cartagena is calling. Will you fight for Carthage, or will you march with the Roman legions? Choose your side, and relive history! ๐น๐ฅ๐
FOOTNOTE We are planning our 2nd Ocean Posse party in Cartagena Spain in September so you can experience both a massive reenactment battle and a Ocean Posse yacht fest ...beats running with the bulls as a sailor. Want to visit Spain and hang out with fellow sailors ... come join us and witness historic settings. YES THERE WILL BE FLOR DE CANA RUM !
20) BOATFIX โ๏ธ OCEAN POSSE
Backed by our VIP 24/7 customer service and mechanical helpline, Boat Fix is the only global recreational GPS tracking device and monitoring service in the marine industry where clientโs boats are watched around-the-clock by our Connecticut-based Monitoring and Control center to ensure a safe, secure and stress-free boating experience.
Key Features:
GPS Tracking and Alarm Monitoring:
With an industry-winning app, Boat Fix allows the boater to remotely and independently monitor and track their boat from the palm of their hand and receive important notifications on battery voltage, high water alarms and theft prevention/unauthorized use. NOAA charting and weather alerts, high and low battery voltage alarm monitoring and theft prevention give boaters piece of mind!
24/7 Mechanical and Customer Support:
Open around-the-clock, with a simple tap of the button on our app, boaters can call in with questions and mechanical issues 24/7. We answer every call, in seconds, every time!
Insurance Discounts:
Those with the Boat Fix service may have the opportunity to save on their insurance premiums which helps pay for the device and monitoring. Ask about our insurance partners!
Performance Reports:
A monthly performance report right to your email gives you important data on engine hours, miles traveled, trips, average distance, average speed, battery voltage, etc.
The cityโs main plaza, Central Park, is dominated by the colorful, neoclassical facade of the Cathedral of Granada, originally dating to 1583.
It was also where American William Walker attempted to take control of Central America as a ruling president. One of his generals, Charles Frederick Henningsen, set the city ablaze before escaping, destroying much of the ancient city and leaving printed the words โHere was Granadaโ.
Agriculture around Granada is reflected by dry forests and humid forests which grow on the sides of the nearby 1,344 meter high Mombacho volcano. The volcano is also home to a wide array of wildlife. The lake is also home to many creatures, both marine and freshwater creatures. It is the only freshwater lake in the world where sharks live.
FRESH WATER SHARKS !!!
The Midas cichlid, native to the San Juan River basin in Nicaragua and Costar Rica, is now recognized as a species complex with dozens of species, most or all of them inhabiting extremely reduced ranges. Fishing in the lake is plentiful and fishermen regularly catch guapote and mojarras, as well as sardines.
ONE OF THE MANY MUST SEE'S ALONG THE OCEAN POSSE ROUTES
22) GETTING BACK TO YOUR VESSEL AT NIGHT
navigating your dinghy at night has pitfalls and risks
getting back to your vessel at night can be challenging
IF THIS IS YOUR YACHT
when motoring at night obstacles are the biggest threat to get back - unused mooring balls - anchored vessels without lights - shallows, rocks, sandbars and reefs - other dinghies - or dinghies tied to the transom of anchored yachts - bridles or anchor chains extending out into your path
Looking at he reflection of anchor lights on the water in our path we can identify obstacles - keeping our eyes on the reflections of straight ahead anchor light on the water to identify possible obstructions -
we slow down at night
to avoid hitting obstacles
avoid running at full speed a
try not wake fellow mariners sleeping in their yachts
There are crocodiles in the canal! The freshwater sections of the Panama Canal, particularly Gatun Lake, are home to American crocodiles. These crocs have been spotted swimming near ships, lurking around locks, and even basking on the canalโs banks. Despite the heavy ship traffic, they thrive in the canalโs ecosystem. So, while captains worry about navigating tight locks, they might also have a few prehistoric spectators watching from the water!
PANAMA POSSE CANAL AGENTS
To arrange for transit with the Panama Canal Authority please contact our dedicated Panama Canal agents and sponsors of the Panama Posse and the Pacific Posse
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