in this weeks fleet update
- Pictures of the Week
- Nicaragua to Mexico Notes on Arrival
- Country Updates
- Vessel Locations
- Severe Weather Alert
- a non-Panama Posse vessel’s actions in Costa Rica during the lock down
- Official Dinghy Dock Petition in Zihuatanejo, MX
- A BIG thank you to our Sponsors
- Sign up for next Panama Posse season
- Send in your fleet updates
- Opt-Out
Much as our ancestors did ages ago, we thrust forward into the unknown.
Pioneers set forth on an uneasy course, just as we are now facing history and
certain adversity while we aim to thrive.
1) Pictures of the Week
The shark ate my tuna…
Sharks 2 Bonzai 0 for tuna dinner while under passage.
Don
BONZAI
Bob & Margie
BLESSED LIFE
Pool under construction at Chiapas Marina
Bill & Lisanne
ROCINANTE
Catch of the week !
Jeffrey & Paula
SEA LARKS
Brian & Tracy
WOODWIND 1
Finding one part on board tearing it all apart aka boat yoga
Nick, Gema & crew
MOIRA
Admiral’s dress code under stay in place orders
Suzanne & Dietmar
Carinthia
2) Nicaragua to Mexico – Arrival
We just wanted to update you, that Happy Dance arrived in Chiapas Mexico at 0700 April 26. We had an easy 3 day passage from Puesta del Sol, and we’re very happy to report that we’ll be going to check into Mexico in the morning!!
One funny note, (at least it’s funny now), is that an email from the US Embassy was sent to my inbox two hours after we left the dock in Nicaragua, advising us that the Nicaraguan government had agreed to let us stay! Timing is everything..ha!
I should also note that in all the confusion while we were figuring out the situation in Nicaragua, the people at Puesta del Sol couldn’t have been nicer. Robert, the owner, was making calls on our behalf, Juanita was keeping us informed, the Navy was friendly, and of course all our fellow cruisers were offering plenty of moral support. Special thanks to Vicki on Taliesin Rose for getting us groceries!
We plan to stay here for the month of May while we fix the prop seal, and wait to see what happens next in Mexico.
All the best,
Sue & Marty
HAPPY DANCE
3) Country Updates
Mexico 13,8421,305†
implemented temperature-screening measures at some of its airports.
Passengers with abnormal temperatures and travel to high-risk areas might be subject to additional health screening.
Several ports have restrictions on movement – clearing in and out of Chiapas and Ensenda is still possible
Guatemala 473 13†
full lock down – no entry permitted – Curfew extended
El Salvador 298 8†
full lock down – no entry permitted
Honduras 627 59†
full lock down – no entry permitted
Nicaragua 13 3†
closed as of this week – no entry permitted
On Wed Apr 22 unofficially
(and not publicly) closed its borders to entry of recreational boats.
From this moment Marina Puesta del Sol will not be able to receive boats.
Costa Rica 695 6†
full lock down – no entry permitted
existing tourist visas have been extended curfew to may 15 th
Panama 5,538 159†
Panama – 14 day quarantine has been obtained by some in internal movements
The Civil Aeronautical Authority (AAC) of Panama extended the suspension of international flights to the country until May 23.
The airports have been closed since the early hours of Monday, March 23, as a sanitary measure due to the advance of the corona-virus. The measure was originally adopted for a month, but this Monday, April 20, the AAC announced that the ban will be extended for an additional month.
The resolution was published in the Official Gazette, and bears the signature of the AAC director, Gustavo Pérez. These actions are based on information provided by the Ministry of Health, regarding the evolution of the coronavirus pandemic in other countries.
Read here AAC Resolution No. 53 of April 14, 2020.
https://www.gacetaoficial.gob.pa/pdfTemp/29006/78214.pdf
4) Vessel Locations
| NAME | LOCATION | STAY IN PLACE | MOVE ON TO | LOGISTICAL ISSUES | |
| 1 | BAJA FOG | Barra de Navidad, MX | |||
| John & Monique | |||||
| 3 | TALIESIN ROSE | puesta del Sol, Nicaragua | |||
| Victoria & Rowan | |||||
| 4 | THISLDU | Puesta del Sol, Nicaragua | |||
| Garrett & Audrey | |||||
| 5 | LUNA | barra de Navidad, MX | |||
| Bob & Kris | |||||
| 9 | CARINTHIA | barra de Navidad, MX | |||
| Dietmar & Suzanne | |||||
| 10 | SEAGLUB | san jose del cabo | |||
| Chris | |||||
| 12 | JEAN ANNE | Chiapas, MX | |||
| Steve & Chelsea | |||||
| 13 | SINGULARITY | Vista Mar, Panama | undefined future | ||
| Robert & Carol | |||||
| 16 © | ENJOY | in bocas del toro – hanging well | getting a lot of work | ||
| Don & Nina | |||||
| 19 © | KNOT RIGHT | Vista Mar Marina, Panama | separation – nothing | ||
| Walt & Jeariene | |||||
| 20 © | COMPROMISE | Marina Chiapas, Leave boat on the hard | no issues leave | ||
| Ronald & Karen | |||||
| 23 | TOP CIDER | Chiapas, MX | |||
| Chuck & Sharon | |||||
| 25 | HALF MOON | Puesta del Sol, Nicaragua | |||
| Brain & Elizabeth | |||||
| 26 | MADELEINE | vessel in el salvador | |||
| Huibert & Maaike | |||||
| 27 | ANGELIQUE | Florida | |||
| Dan & Angela | |||||
| 29 | DELTA SWIZZLER | Tenecatita – 9 vessels | |||
| Mark & Cindy | |||||
| 30 | FIREFLY | las hadas | |||
| Brenda & Ted | |||||
| 34 | ONE LIFE | barra de Navidad, MX | |||
| Doug & Mary | |||||
| 37 | WISHLIST | las hadas – life copy | |||
| Chris Brenda | |||||
| 40 | AVANT | Shelter Bay, Panama – vessel is in panama – we are in rainy Canada | linton bay marina – are abel to accept vessels and able to update to – | ||
| Rob & Debra | |||||
| 48 © | DENOVO | Boat is Puerto Pensaco. MX – we are in canada | |||
| Andre, Naomi & crew | |||||
| 50 | ANDURIL | Chiapas, MX | |||
| Alice & Greg | |||||
| 51 | GREEN FLASH | California – vista mar in boat | |||
| Bob & Joan | |||||
| 52 | BONZAI | key west florida – cases are climing in mx – all marinas are closed – anchoring out in key west After 1.5 years from leaving California we have now arrived in Key West Florida. As Mexico is escalating into a level three for the virus we recognized things in the US were on the back side of the bell curve and found a weather window. Bonzai utilized an agent that is on staff at Puerto Isla Mujeres Marina and it was worth every penny for efficiency. 450 miles later in 60 hours we are here. |
processed thorugh staff – cbp roam app – ke west maintain social distancing | ||
| Don | |||||
| 54 | STAND DOWN | vista Mar Marina, Panama | |||
| Richard & Nancy | |||||
| 58 | KATHLEEN | barra de Navidad, MX | |||
| Robert & Karen | |||||
| 59 | RAVEN | barra de Navidad, MX | |||
| Neil, Tammy, & Jan | |||||
| 61 © | WILDEST DREAMS | chiapas, MX | |||
| Grant & Michelle | |||||
| 64 | SECRET WATER | la paz, mx | |||
| Annie & Chris & Crew | |||||
| 65 | WOODWIND 1 | paradise village – boat projects – rest down – yacht club does take out – run | |||
| Brian & Tracy | |||||
| 67 | CHIMERA | costa rica | |||
| Dennis & Margaret | |||||
| 69 | ALIZANN | still at red frog marina | remain in place | full lock down – week to week decision – keeping the boat top operational | |
| Martin & Suzanne | |||||
| 70 | FLOATING STONES | bahamas | |||
| Bryan & Cheryl | |||||
| 74 | MAISON DE SANTE | barra de Navidad, MX | |||
| Keenan & Nicole | |||||
| 85 | FOLLOW YOU FOLLOW ME | San Diego | |||
| Allan & Rina | |||||
| 88 © | SEA LARKS | Chiapas – fleet start moving – en route to | |||
| Jeffrey & Paula | |||||
| 95 | WAVE DANCER | costa rica | |||
| Vladimir & Galinda | |||||
| 96 | MALOLO | in manzanillo – las hadas from ixtapa | |||
| Matt & Britt | |||||
| 99 | HO’OKIPA | Barra de Navidad, MX | until further notice all good | ||
| Lisa & Lucky | |||||
| 100 | VOLARE | Barra de Navidad, MX | |||
| Jessica & Adam | |||||
| 109 | JOY | Barra de Navidad, MX | |||
| Jeff & Roxanne | |||||
| 117 | PILIALOHA | maina chahue with a care taker – we are in hawai | |||
| Rick & Maria | |||||
| 121 | ANKYRIOS | barra de Navidad, MX | |||
| Dennis, Brandy & Crew | |||||
| 124 © | INDEPENDENCE | raotan barefoot key marina went way for the hotel – west end – smoky – | serious – sneaking in – still on lock-down – people are hanging low | ||
| Larry & Jamie | |||||
| 125 | LILY ROWAN | marina chahue | |||
| Jim & Zyanya | |||||
| 129 © | NESHUMA | on the hard at mazatlan marina | |||
| Carl & Cynthia | |||||
| 131 | MAR Y SOL | Marina Vallarta, MX | |||
| Bob & Marisol | |||||
| 138 | BLESSED LIFE | doing great at marina pez vela – weather rain – contract end of fall | tip with the boat bond – | ||
| Bob and Margie | |||||
| 143 © | SEA GLASS | panama | |||
| Chris | |||||
| 149 © | MOIRA | in bahia ballena – weeks and weeks – plan is weathe r- may to hawai | |||
| Nick, Gema & crew | |||||
| 152 © | SUSIMI | Barra de Navidad, MX | |||
| Paul & Hazel | |||||
| 157 | SOL GOOD | boat is in vitsta mar – cornado panama | all | ||
| Jeff | |||||
| 161 © | SPREZZATURA | Curfew expanded to the end of may sat and Sunday closed down | |||
| Eric | |||||
| 171 | GenM | in marina la paz – maintence – all on lock down | canal not go out after 10 PM – | ||
| Marvin and Laurie | |||||
| 176 | REEF DANCER | staying put for the foreseable | duffy is very quiet … | ||
| Jerry & Debra | |||||
| 178 | Happy Dance | Chiapas, MX | |||
5) Severe Weather Alert
…EARLY TROPICAL DEPRESSION FORMS IN THE EASTERN PACIFIC…
NHC is issuing advisories on newly formed Tropical Depression One-E, centered as of 8 a.m. PDT over the open waters of the eastern North Pacific Ocean about 730 miles (1175 km) southwest of the southern tip of Baja California.
This marks the earliest formation of a tropical cyclone in the eastern North Pacific basin since the satellite era began in 1966.
The depression is moving toward the northwest near 7 mph (11 km/h). This general motion is expected for the next day or so, followed by a turn toward the west on Sunday.
Maximum sustained winds are near 35 mph (55 km/h) with higher gusts. Little change in strength is anticipated today. The system is forecast to become a remnant low by late Sunday. It is not a threat to land.
The next advisory will be issued by NHC at 2 p.m. PDT – https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/#One-E
Rob & Debra
AVANT
6) a non-Panama Posse vessel’s actions in Costa Rica during the lock down
… based on your recent lock down update we spotted a boat named Malolo and his owner /captain Rick Appel. (not Panama-Posse)
…this boat showed up here right before Samana Santa (Easter) directly from Panama.
Borders closed and he landed on our fuel dock. No zarpe no nothing totally illegal in every way.
The agencies and Peninsula management went nuts because Panama is considered a Covid 19 hot spot and the border is closed to prevent these arrivals.
He basically showed up and said I don’t care what you have to do,
I am out of fuel and on my way to California. If you have to arrest me then go ahead and arrest me.
…. to say this was a complete fiasco is an understatement. It took our lawyers and all of the agencies working
overtime to workout a solution for this idiot. In the end Immigration, the health ministry, the Port Captain and
Aduana all agreed the best solution was to sell him the fuel and send him away.
We had to suit up one of our guys in haz mat gear to pump the fuel.
… still dealing with the fall-out from this as we still could be fined for allowing the boat into the marina.
This has placed our concession at risk because this was ultimately considered a Health Ministry violation and they have a lot of power in Costa Rica.
The issue is, we didn’t allow him to come in. No radio call no nothing he just charged in and dropped lines before my guys could get to the
end of the fuel dock placing the marina, our staff and fellow mariners at risk.
Marina Papagayo
7) Official Dinghy Dock Petition in Zihuatanejo, MX
In 2019 we officially petitioned Zihuatanejo to put in a dinghy dock – this was 14 months ago.
While cruising is severely impacted by the C19 virus our petition still stands.
If you know of any other locations you wish to have a dinghy dock please let us know
DINGHY DOCK
– Well maintained stable floating dock to adjust to tides and water levels protected from waves
– Handrails from shore to the Dinghy Dock with non skid surface on the plank – Small strong galvanized marlin cleats with ability to run chain through
– Long Painters on Each Dinghy & Dipping the Eye Use only one line. Do not tie bow and stern.
– Ability to lock dinghy to dock with a long chain and padlock
– Do not lock out other dinghies – Throw-able Life ring with floating line – No fishing allowed / No Swimming / No fish cleaning – Well lighted area with 24/7 video surveillance – Guarded or in “shouting” range of authorities – In cellphone and VHF rage of the main anchorage
– Nearby road to hail taxis, buses or uber and walking distance to town – Ability to load and unload packages and provisions
– Establish a No Wake Zone
– Potable water spigot to take on fresh water / wash dingy
– Trashcan
– Message Board for relevant announcements
– Do not lift engine up to avoid damage to other dinghies
8) A BIG thank you to our Sponsors
Official Panama Posse Sponsors, Partners and Ambassadors
- Marina Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta – Mexico
- Marina Puerto de La Navidad – Barra de Navidad – Mexico
- Marina Ixtapa, Ixtapa – Mexico
- La Marina Acapulco, Acapulco – Mexico
- Marina Chiapas – Mexico
- Marina Bahia del Sol – El Salvador
- La Palma Moorings – Bahia del Sol, El Salvador
- Marina Puesta del Sol – Nicaragua
- Marina Papagayo – Costa Rica
- Marina Pez Vela – Costa Rica
- Banana Bay Marina – Costa Rica
- Vista Mar Marina – Panama
- Shelter Bay Marina – Panama
- Red Frog Marina – Panama
- Bocas Marina – Panama
Official Panama Canal Agent
Official Panama Posse Ambassadors
- Jaime Figueroa Navarro – Panama
- Bill & Jean – El Salvador Rally, El Salvador
- Ralph Hewitt – Nicaragua
Panama Posse Partners
- Vicente’s Moorings – Acapulco – Mexico
- Discover Tours Chiapas – Mexico
- Park Avenue Villas – San Juan del Sur – Nicaragua
- Coconutz – Annual Papagayo Victory Party – Playa Cocos – Costa Rica
- Abernathy – Chandlery – Panama
- Advertising Partners – Las Vegas
- Safe-Esteem.com – Delaware
9) The 2020-2021 Panama Posse is forming
and 38 vessels have signed up already.
This season will end on June 1st – Line group will stay open – but not monitored
and we may continue the Saturday extraordinary calls for another few months.
Our goal is to expand the Panama Posse route in 2021 with a northbound
leg from Panama to the Keys in the Caribbean a.m.o. stay tuned for details.
To sign up for next Panama Posse season – please reply with – “sign me up”.
9) Please reply to this email with any
updates and we’ll include it in the next Fleet Updates
Dietmar & Suzanne
SV Carinthia
10) opt-out from the Fleet Updates simply reply with “REMOVE“
[…] 2020-04-26 >> […]