1) Bahia del Sol, EL SALVADOR

Toccata remains in Bahia Del Sol, has become a base for inland travel. After trips to Guatemala and Rivera Maya Mexico, the admiral has decided we should do land travel to Nicaragua and Costa Rica before heading for Panama. We will probably not arrive Panama until late March. I have to admit Bahia Del Sol is a great base of operations for Central American land travel. Will also give the Papagayos to soften.

Steven
Marilyn


Steven & Marilyn

TOCCATA

2) Golfito, COSTA RICA

Knot Right left Marina Papagaya CR on Friday 12/21 after refueling, traveled a whole 5 nm to Bahia Hermosa. Anchored, and dinghy to shore for an early dinner with friends who are local in Cocos. With 4 people, dinghy wheels and only a 9.9 HP engine, we were a little slow. It also didnโ€™t help that we choose the wrong wave. Yes we got wet, but didnโ€™t loose the boat. We still had an enjoyable time.

We left the next afternoon to head for Isla Tortuga, After we rounded the corner, we had a beam reach until 10 PM, with the Jib only, we exceeded my theoretical top speed of 8.8, we actually hit 10 at one time. Later that night and the next morning we had a wind and current on the nose. The period was less that 5 seconds, so we did take a beating.

We arrived at Isla Tortuga at 9 AM and motored around to find a go spot to anchor. We wanted to stay away from the human onslaught from the mainland to the island. We found 20 ft at low tide at 9 46.7147n 84 53.8016w. Calm evening, but some rolling in the AM (I think the workers for the party goers are coming ashore and it felt like the wakes of their transports). Did some snorkelling, not very clear. Heading to Golfito at 8 AM on 12/26.

Got to Golfito early, had to motor all the way. Went to the fuel docks (at IGY) and refueled, from there they permitted us to stay while we went to Customs, Immigration and the bank (donโ€™t push it though).

There is also a Super (not so big) Mega for some provisioning. The customs office is 1 KM to SE walking distance, but very humid. Have three copies of everything, but if not he might be helpful to copy some papers. I think there is a copying place across the street. The Immigration is in the other direction about 2 (total 3) KM. Take a cab from customs to Immigration (anywhere $2-4). Immigration and the National Bank (third stop) is the duty free shopping area. If you want to buy anything here, I believe you need to stand in line to purchase a prepaid card of some sort. Didnโ€™t bother because we wanted to hustle out of here. We purchased our wine when we got our provisions at the Supermega half way between Fuel Dock and Customs. The last stop is the port captain, his Zarpe did not list the personnel, so I asked and he gave me a stamped copy of my crew list (not taking any chances). The fuel dock charges for water and trash, but Posse people pay about half of that charge. Heading out to Pedregal Panama tonight 27-Dec at 4 PM, need to get to the mouth of the river just before high tide tomorrow at 7.


Walt & Jeariene

Jeariene
Walt

KNOT RIGHT

Note: Clearing in and Out of Costa Rica while time consuming and paperwork laden has been documented with detailed steps and all exact Lat and long of all government offices inside of Good Nautical

Playas del Coco
Image 111

Here are the links for Playas del Coco
http://www.goodnautical.com/costa-rica/port-of-entry/playas-del-coco

Image 112

and Golfito http://www.goodnautical.com/costa-rica/port-of-entry/golfito

3) The Panama Posse is now 76 vessels strong
Well on our way to the goal of 100 for this season – please help spread the word !

Panama Posse 2019

4) Here are the latest check ins from thePanama Posse 18-19 LINE Group Members

SPREZZATURA – Huatulco, MX

FOOTLOOSE – Leaving Acapulco, MX

WINE N DOWN – Approaching Bahia del Sol, El Salvador

KNOT RIGHT – Checking out of Golfito, Costa Rica

EPIPHANY – Heading south from Barra de Navidad, MX – see long line alert below 

SANS CLES – Chiapas, MX  – reporting plenty of room in the Marina

SLOW DANCER – Marina Vallarta, MX – discount confirmed but only pablo@marina-vallarta.com.mx has the info
MARIAH – La Paz

LIQUID – Barra de Navidad, MX

COQUETTE – Leaving Acapulco, MX

NILAYA – Leaving Puerto Vallarta
MAI TAI – Mazatlan heading to PV by the 26th and Barra after New Years
MADELEINE – Leaving Acapulco

AVANT – Bahia del Sol, El Salvador

FLOATING STONES – Barra de Navidad, MX
PARADISEA – Leaving Zihuatanejo for Acapulco, MX
FIREFLY – Barra de Navidad, MX
SEAGLUB – Barra de Navidad, MX

XENIA – Las Perlas, Panama

CARINTHIA – Vista Mar Marina, Panama

LINE


FLEET CHECK IN and MORNING NET on MONDAY’S at 16:00 UTC via LINE 5) Huatulco Marine Park & Tehuantepec, MX


We are currently (Fri Dec 28th, 4.30 pm) in Chachacual Cove (La India), Huatulco.
How beautiful it is here! We were thinking of crossing the Gulf of Tehuantepec starting on Sunday Dec 30th.

T
            pec

We based our decision on Saildocs and Windy. Can you confirm Chris if that is a good time? If you please would answer in Sailmail as well as in Line that would be great. Both SSB and internet via Telcel are difficult here. We are sometimes successfull with one, and sometimes with the other system. We left Acapulco Sunday dec 23rd. Had a beautiful trip to Huatulco. 1/3 was sailing. Nights with full moon. Calm weather. Beautiful coast. Dec 25th we arrived in Puerto Sacrificios (San Agustin), Anchored 15 41.36 N 96 13.98 W in 9.6 meter, good holding, sand. Beautiful bay, much tourism during the day, restless water. Maybe not so nice for monohulls. Tried to reach the beach by dinghy, but too much swell, was no success. We left today for Chachacual, also very very beautiful and much quieter. More protected. All tourists left at 3 pm. Anchored at 15 42.61 N 96 12.18 W, in 7.1 meter. Sand, good holding.

Thanks,

Maaike & Huib

Maaike
Huib

MADELEINE

5) Long Line alert – Mexico

Long Line at 19ยฐ 04.435′ N,  104ยฐ 42.369 W

LONG LINE ALERT


EPIPHANY

George
Suzanne

George & Suzanne

6) Fuel in Huatulco, MX

Chahue Marina Fuel Dock
Chahue Marina Fuel Dock

Due to the silting of the channel Marina Chahue is closed until further notice –


But you can use your dinghy to get it from the marina or approach the
commercial fuel dock in the next bay with lot’s of fenders.

The location below has the working fuel dock




Eric

Eric

SPREZZATURA

7) Bahia del Sol – EL SALVADOR
Picture of the Week from El Salvador Rally – FISH VISCOUS exiting over the bar

Bahia del Sol โ€“ EL SALVADOR


Doug & Nancy

Doug
Nancy

FISH VICIOUS 






8)  The Panama Posse 2018-2019 burgees are flying –
please take pictures for next weeks update of your new years celebrations !

SIMPLIFY โ€“ Robert

SIMPLIFY – Robert

HALF MOON – Elizabeth & ?

Andrรฉ-Philippe & Sylvie

CHARLY – Andrรฉ-Philippe & Sylvie

Bryan & Stephanie

ARGUS – Bryan & Stephanie

Mattias and Regina of JASINA after a delightful Christmas dinner prepared by Patrice of SONOMARA aboard FOOTLOOSE with PARADISEA

Mattias and Regina of JASINA after a delightful Christmas dinner prepared by
Patrice of SONOMARA aboard FOOTLOOSE with PARADISEA






Image 123

9) CROSSROADS ( from last season )
SAFETY/SECURITY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
(Diane last season actually called every number)

U.S. COAST GUARD RESCUE COORDINATION CENTER
    Rescue Coordination Center:  (510) 437-3701.  This is the number for group receiving EPIRB emergency beacon distress signals.  They will coordinate with local country Coast Guards if boater is outside of the U.S. and they have translators, as the numbers at the local country Coast Guards in Central America will speak Spanish.  They said it would be ok to call them in emergency.

CENTRAL AMERICA COUNTRY COAST GUARD CONTACT NUMBERS
    These numbers were given to me by the U.S. Coast Guard Rescue Coordination Center.  The individuals from these local Coast Guards will speak Spanish when you call them.  If you cannot communicate with them, the Rescue Coordination Center can call them, but that will take more time.
 
  El Salvadore Coast Guard:  (505) 22500210,   Extension 5103
    Nicaragua Coast Guard:      (504)22342507
    Costa Rica Coast Guard:      (506) 22314924
    Panama Coast Guard:           (507) 60451197

CALIFORNIA COAST GUARD OFFICES WHO COULD BE  called if you cannot reach rescue coordination center, however the local coast guards will likely just go through the Rescue Center:
    Coast Guard Sector LA/Long Beach:  310 521-3815
    Channel Islands office:  805 985-9822

VHF EMERGENCY CHANNEL FOR MAYDAY: 16

U.S. COAST GUARD EMERGENCY SSB CHANNELS
MHZ                     UTC time
4.125        2300-11
6.125        24 hr.
8.290        24 hr.
12.290        1100-2300


HAM SSB NETS

World wide emergency Ham net:  14.313    24 hr.
Pacific Seafares Net 14300 @ 0300 UTC 
Central America Ham net:  7.083   UTC time 1300

CENTRAL AMERICA EMBASSY CONTACT INFORMATION.  Go to www.usembassy.gov/ for further information.  For Central America embassies, emergency number is +1-202-501-4444, and press โ€œ0โ€,  from 8 a.m. โ€“ 5 p.m. EST.  When dialing embassy numbers below probably start with โ€œ +โ€ depending on phone service.   

    COSTA RICA
    +506 2519 2000
    Calle 98 Via 104, Pavas,     San Jose, Costa Rico

    EL SALVADOR
    +503 2501 2999
    Final Blvd. Santa Elena,     Antiguo Cuseatlan, La Libertad,     San Salvador   

    GUATEMALA
    +502 2326 4000
    Avenida Reforma 7-01, Zona 10, Guatemala Cuidad, Guatemala

    HONDURAS
    +504 2238 5114 (after hours X4100)
    +504 2236 9320 (per embassy website, but not communications received:  011-504 2236 9320)
    Avenida La Paz,     Tegucigalpa MDC, Honduras

    MEXICO
    +52 55 5080-2000
    Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtenoc,     06500 Mexico, DF

    NICARGUA
    +505 2252-7100
    Kilometer 5.5 Carreter Sur, Managua, Nicagagua

    PANAMA
    +507 317 5000
    Bldg 783, Demetrio Basilio Lakas Ave, Clayton, Panama

REPORT U.S. CITIZEN MISSING ABROAD:  1-888-407-4747

GLOBAL MARINE DISTRESS SAFETY SYSTEM:      1-888-407-4747, press โ€œ0โ€ for overseas citizen emergency services.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MARITIME ADMINISTATION, OFFICE OF MARITIME SECURITY. 

They provide information on piracy and safety and security, and you can sign up for alerts by going online.
    Emergency:  1-202-501-4444 (8-8 EST, M-F)

Stan & Diane  (we wish you a speedy recovery Diane)


Diane
Stan




10) HAPPY NEW YEAR !!!!
Please reply to this email with any 
updates
and we’ll include it in the next Fleet Updates.
Please take pictures of your new years celebrations.

Dietmar & Suzanne
SV Carinthia


11) Opt-out from Fleet Updates simply reply with “REMOVE