FLEET UPDATE 2022-12-11

PANAMA POSSE 
 
FLEET UPDATE 

December 11, 2022

TOP NEWS

• FEATURED MARITIME AREA 🇧🇿 BELIZE 
• PARTICIPANT WEBSITES, VIDEOS & BLOGS
• NEW ANCHORAGE IN GOOD NAUTICAL 
• STARLINK OFFICIALLY LAUNCHED IN PANAMA 🇵🇦
• BAHAMAS 🇧🇸 SEARCH FOR CALM ANCHORAGES AND FESTIVITIES 
• INTRODUCTORY ZOOM CALL 
• GENNAKERS AND SPINNAKERS AWAY 
• ENTRY INTO BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT 
• EXPIRED FLARES 
• OCEAN POSSE PARTY @ SHELTER BAY PANAMA
• FLOR DE CAÑA SUSTAINABLE COCKTAIL SESSIONS
• HOLIDAY PICTURES OF THE WEEK 
• THE JOURNEY SOUTH 
• THE BARREL OF HOPE

1) PICTURE OF THE WEEK 

Live as it happens… sunset over Loreto… anchored in Puerto Ballandra
Isla Carmen, Baja California Sur 🇲🇽 Mexico 

MV TIDEWALKER 🇨🇦 Alan – Nordhavn 57′

 
2) FEATURED MARITIME AREA 
🇧🇿 BELIZE 

Belize is a nation on the eastern coast of Central America, with a relativly small population of just 400,00 people with the Caribbean Sea shorelines to the east and dense jungle to the west. Offshore, the massive Belize Barrier Reef, dotted with hundreds of low-lying islands called cayes, hosts rich marine life. Belize’s jungle areas are home to Mayan ruins like Caracol, renowned for its towering pyramid; lagoon-side Lamanai; and Altun Ha, just outside Belize City. English is the official language of Belize, but most of the population also speaks a creole patois. Yucatec, Mopán, and Kekchí are spoken by the Maya in Belize.

South Water Caye 🇧🇿 Belize

BELIZE BARRIER REEF 

the second largest barrier reef in the world 
with amazing cruising ground comprised of marine preserves & atolls

• Bacalar Chico Natural Monument 18.141° N 87.863° W
• Half Moon Caye Natural Monument 17.2047° N 87.5364° W
• Blue Hole Natural Monument 17.3160° N 87.5347° W
• South Water Caye Marine Reserve 16°43′08″N 88°08′56″W
• Laughing Bird Caye Natural Park 16°26’36” N 88°11’50″W
• Sapodilla Caye Marine Reserve 16°08′46″N 88°16′52″W
• 16.146°N 88.281°W / 16.146; -88.281

ATOLLS 

• Turneffe Atoll 17.4382° N, 87.8304° W
• Glovers Reef Atoll 16.71729,-87.84885.
• Lighthouse Reef Atoll 17°18′N 87°33′W / 17.300°N 87.550°W / 17.300; -87.550.

MUST SEE: Actun Tunich Muk’nal Cave System >>

Actun Tunichil Muknal (the Cave of the Crystal Sepulchre), known as “ATM” is a cave in Belize, near San Ignacio and a Maya archaeological site that includes skeletons, ceramics, and stoneware. 

https://panamaposse.com/actun-tunichil-muknal

The cave is located a 3 hour drive from Thunderbirds Marine via the Humingbird Highway in the Tapir Mountain Nature Reserve. The main cave system is about 3 mi long and consists of a long river passage for approximately 2 mi which ends at an upstream sump. A series of upper prehistoric passages continues another mile past the sump through massive breakdown boulders and giant rooms.

Many of the Maya artifacts and remains are completely calcified to the cave floor. One artifact, named the “Monkey Pot”, is one of just four of its type found in Central America.

Belize is also home to approximately 118 internationally threatened species 
(32 endangered, 9 critically endangered, and 77 vulnerable), as well as 62 near threatened species. Experiencing Belize’s wide range of biodiversity is unlike anything else on the planet.

CHARTS AND AIDS TO NAVIGATION IN BELIZE

Good Nautical has a collection of 100+ anchorages just for Belize
https://goodnautical.com/gma/belize

Belize tourism has shared their latest charts available for downlaod and printing 
https://panamaposse.com/belize#charts

The Great Blue Hole is a giant marine sinkhole off the coast of Belize. It lies near the center of Lighthouse Reef

Since Chart details are lacking details the Panama Posse has created 8 GIG’s of satellite charts to aid your vessel’s navigation. 

PANAMA POSSE FREE SATELLITE CHARTS

Here is a screen shot of Glovers Reef Atoll in Open CPN with Sat Chart Overlays
donwnload from https://PanamaPosse.com/charts

To clear into Belize visit https://www.sailclear.com 

For details visit https://panamaposse.com/belize

3) FEATURED PARTICIPANT WEBSITES & BLOGS & VIDEOS

 Surviving a HURRICANE…at ANCHOR ! >>

SY BASIK 🇺🇸 Teal, Linh & Emma & Compass – 435 Catamaran’

4) NEW ANCHORAGE IN GOOD NAUTICAL 

We found a new spot to anchor in Playas del Coco 🇨🇷 Costa Rica
N 10 33.495’ W 85 41.610’

Playas Coco NE >>

To take on fuel in Manzanillo we anchored at las Hadas to get access to the fuel dock ( 2 seasons ago ) 

The view at night of Las Hadas aken 2 season’s ago 

Another entry into the biggest fish caught contest 

SY PATHFINDER 🇺🇸 Nicole & Jean-Philippe – Lagoon 39′

5) STARLINK OFFICIALLY
LAUNCHED IN PANAMA 🇵🇦

“The National Authority for Government Innovation (AIG) celebrates the progress of the 100% Digital Coverage program focused on the expansion of connectivity coverage in rural and difficult-to-access areas with the approval of the license application to the company Space Exploration Technologies Corp. through your Starlink system.

The application for the license to the Starlink company, approved by the National Public Services Authority, allows Elon Musk’s company to start operating in Panama, which brings the execution of the connectivity project closer through satellite Internet in schools in hard-to-reach areas.

“We are committed to ensuring that all the inhabitants of the country can take advantage of the benefits of connectivity. In the first phases, we seek to reinforce the digital infrastructure of 1,000 schools located in areas of difficult access, through satellite internet, with the collaboration of the company Space Exploration Technologies Corp. through its Starlink system,” said Luis Oliva, general administrator of the A.I.G.

“This system will allow communities access to Internet service without having to wait for a fiber optic cable or other technology to be brought to them, they simply have to have a device,” added the general administrator of AIG.

6) BAHAMAS 🇧🇸
SEARCH FOR CALM ANCHORAGES 
AND CULTURAL FESTIVITIES 

Highborne Cay anchorage 🇧🇸for the night 
Island visible for ~ 22 miles due to a 300 foot Batelco tower . 

Island Boy Cafe

Sunset at West Bay, New Providence, Bahamas

Kalik is a Bahamian brand of beer. It is made by the Commonwealth Brewery in Nassau. The original Kalik is a lager with 5% alcohol. According to the bottle label the name of Kalik is derived from sound of cowbells heard during the annual Bahamian festival of Junkanoo.

Junkanoo, the New Years’ street carnival of the Bahamas. Members of the community join organised Junkanoo groups, with names such as: “The Valley Boys,” “Saxons,” “Roots,” and “One Family.” The organised groups consist of 500-1000 members. Junkanoo Groups, are divided into three categories for judging : Musicians, Dancers and Costumers. 

They spent months creating elaborate costumes and have perfected dance routines. They also practiced the latest hits on cowbells and goatskin drums. The goal? To join the all-out competition in hopes of getting crowned the best performance on the island. 

SY NO REGRETS 🇺🇸 Lynette & Bruce – Fast Passage 39′

7) THIS SATURDAY DEC 17th
PANAMA POSSE INTRODUCTORY ZOOM CALL 

PANAMA POSSE INTRODUCTORY ZOOM CALL

MEET THE FLEET

Saturday, December 17, 2022
12:00 EDT | 09:00 PDT
 https://us06web.zoom.us/j/88490864374?pwd=VGlIYzcwYmpnNVFtcFlBU1dVOTBWUT09

Meeting ID: 884 9086 4374

Passcode: 991632

Communications Protocol Gestalt 
( share experiences not opinions )

Invitation to all new and prior participants 

• Introductions
• Overview & Mission
• Perks and Discounts 
• Q&A 

Marina Papagayo a full service Port of Entry in Nothern 🇨🇷 Costa Rica

Howler monkeys are found all around Costa Rica, ranging from the Caribbean Coast to the Central Valley to the Osa Peninsula and everywhere in between, including next to 🇨🇷 Marina Papagayo. They tend to travel in the trees, and can be seen in groups as they move from place to place

8) GENNAKERS AND SPINNAKERS AWAY 

SV AIR BENDER 🇺🇸 Mike & Colleen – Lagoon 42′

9) SY ENJOY 
ENTRY INTO BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT 
AND PANAMA CANAL TRANSIT 

AIS signature with radar overlay – Pacific side Panama Canal

Getting closers to the Caribbean SV Enji

SV ENJOY 🇺🇸 Don & Nina – Lagoon 42

10) PANAMA POSSE SEASON 6 

PANAMA POSSE BENEFITS

• Discounts in sponsorship marinas* with at least 10 % to as much as 50% off in over 70 MARINAS
• Unrivaled camaraderie – make friends of a lifetime – make history
• No crazy schedules to adhere to – go at your own pace
• Save time with quick access to hard to find information – how to check in and out – best practices and latest report from 800+ vessels who have been there before
• Membership access to our ever updating online cruising guide goodnautical.com with 550+ vetted anchorages and detailed clearing in and out procedures – no need to buy expensive cruising guides
• 24/7 live group chat tool (line.me) which works on android and iOS & PC
• GREAT INFO ! Weekly live group calls on Monday @ 16:00 UTC to go over weather logistics and anything else
• Dedicated Panama Canal Agent with real fenders and discount on his fees
• Savings at many chandleries and service providers
• 20% off Predict Wind Pro account
• WESTMARINE PRO Group SILVER DISCOUNT 5 – 25 % off
• Vetted tours, service providers and points of interest ( 200 vessels have participated in the past seasons so a lot of up to date info )
• INFO Weekly email fleet updates and access to prior fleet updates
• “your vessel your crew your responsibility your schedule” so no-one will tell you what to do – no opinions no cliques / we do ask of you to be kind and courteous to each other and help and document any findings
• Impromptu gatherings with fellow participants
• Occasional seminars 
• Partnership with SevenStar Yacht Transport so you Ship your vessel back to Ensenada, MX or Victoria, BC with a discounted rate.
• We respect for your privacy and do not track you
• FREE Charts we got both printable chartlets and satellite chartlets generated for you to use with opencpn ( 160 Gigs +)
• FREE Vessel Tracking with predict wind using automatic methods and manual 
• Pro Discounts at Hertz Mexico and Home Depot Mexico
• 15 % discount at San Diego Marine Exchange 
• Easy upgrade path to Atlantic Posse and South Pacific 

11) EXPIRED FLARES 

The annual firing of the expired flares takes place at the annual kick off event in Marina Puerto de la Navidad 🇲🇽 Mexico 

Every year the particpans during the Kick Off week – fire off expired flares at the Panama Posse Red Flare excercise event.
Based on 3 years of doing this expired Flares have a 50/50% chance of working properly and larger SOLAS flares ( parachute and high projectile ) can completly miss their trajectory hit the water submerge and even head off in a 90 degree angles 💫 – they are almost dangerous !
💥 I CAN NOT RELY ON EXPIRED FLARES TO WORK PROPERLY 💥 

For the Panama Posse route my handgun flares have a very limited range and are best used near busy coastal areas but with it’s short lifespan and short trajectory not all that useful.

High altitude Parachute Red Rocket Flares project a red flare on parachute at 300m (1000f) Burns for 40 seconds at 30,000 candela and is veryeffective – if you want to be found bring a lot of them – we even have a green laserpointer onboard to be found.

Recomended Quantities which sail for extended periods:

6 SOLAS red parachute flares

4 SOLAS red handheld flares

2 SOLAS orange smoke signals

1 GREEN OFFSHORE LASER POINTER – A GOOD TOOL IN REMOTE LOCATIONS 
( outside the US and away from airports ) 

12) OCEAN POSSE PARTY 
@ SHELTER BAY PANAMA

 FRI FEB 03 ‘23
 

PANAMA POSSE MEETS SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE 

Afternoon & Evening of Panama Posse and South Pacific Posse seminars 
Followed by an evening of RUM and MUSIC
Save the date Fri Feb 3rd ’23

 

13) 70+ PANAMA POSSE MARINA SPONSORS 

🇺🇸 Safe Harbor South Bay – Chula Vista, USA

🇲🇽 Marina Coral, Ensenada – Mexico

🇲🇽 IGY Marina Cabo San Lucas – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina Puerto Escondido – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina Palmira Topolobampo – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina y Club de Yates Isla Cortes – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina el Cid – Mazatlan – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta – Mexico

🇲🇽 PANAMA POSSE HQ – Marina Puerto de La Navidad – Mexico

🇲🇽 Marina Ixtapa, Ixtapa – Mexico 

🇲🇽 La Marina Acapulco, Acapulco – Mexico

🇲🇽 Vicente’s Moorings, Acapulco – Mexico 

🇲🇽 Marina Chiapas – Mexico

🇬🇹 Marina Pez Vela – Guatemala

🇸🇻 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 

🇨🇷 Marina Bahia Golfito – Costa Rica

🇨🇷 Banana Bay Marina – Costa Rica

🇪🇨 Marina Puerto Amistad – Ecuador

🇵🇦 Buenaventura Marina – Panama 

🇵🇦 PANAMA POSSE PACIFIC HQ Vista Mar Marina – Panama 

🇵🇦 Shelter Bay Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 IGY Red Frog Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Bocas Marina – Panama 

🇵🇦 Linton Bay Marina – Panama 

🇨🇴 ClubNautico Cartagena – Colombia 

🇨🇴 Club de Pesca Marina Cartagena – Colombia 

🇨🇴 Marina Puerto Velero – Colombia

🇨🇴 IGY Marina Santa Marta – Colombia 

🇯🇲 Royal Jamaica Yacht Club – Jamaica 

🇯🇲 Errol Flynn Marina – Jamaica

🇯🇲 Montego Bay Yacht Club –Jamaica 

🇰🇾 The Barcadere Marina –Cayman Islands 

🇭🇳 Barefoot Cay Marina – Roatan – Honduras 

🇭🇳 Fantasy Island Marina – Roatan – Honduras

🇭🇳 Jonesville Point Marina -Roatan – Honduras

🇬🇹 Marina Nana Juana Resort & Boatyard – Guatemala 

🇧🇿 Thunderbirds Marine – Placencia – Belize 

🇲🇽 Marina Makax – Isla Mujeres – Mexico 

🇲🇽 Marina V&V – Quintana Roo – Mexico 

🇲🇽 Marina El Cid – Cancún – Riviera Maya – Mexico

🇨🇺 Marina Marlin Nautica Cayo Largo – Cuba 

🇹🇨 South Bank Marina & Boatyard – Turks and Caicos

🇧🇸 Romora Bay Resort and Marina – Bahamas

🇧🇸 Elizabeth on the Bay Marina – Bahamas 

🇧🇸 Great Harbour Cay Marina – Bahamas

🇧🇸 Blue Marlin Cove Resort & Marina – Bahamas

🇩🇴 Ocean World Marina – Dominican Republic

🇩🇴 Marina Puerto Bahia – Dominican Republic

🇺🇸 Marathon Marina – Marathon Keys 

🇺🇸 Pier 66 Hotel & Marina – Ft. Lauderdale, USA

🇺🇸 IGY Marina at Ortega Landing – Jacksonville, FL , USA 

🇺🇸 Oasis Marinas at Fernandina Harbor Marina – FL , USA

🇺🇸 Morningstar Marinas Golden Isles St. Simons Isl. – Georgia, USA

🇺🇸 Windmill Harbour Marina – Hilton Head South Carolina , USA

🇺🇸 Coffee Bluff Marina – Savannah Georgia , USA

🇺🇸 Hazzard Marine – Gerogetown, North Carolina , USA

🇺🇸 Holden Beach – Town Dock, North Carolina , USA 

🇺🇸 Portside Marina – Morehead City, North Carolina USA

🇺🇸 Tideawater Yacht Marina – Portsmouth, USA

🇺🇸 Ocean Yacht Marina, Portsmouth, USA

🇺🇸 Yorktown Riverwalk Landing – Virginia USA

🇺🇸 Regatta Point Marina – Deltaville, Virginia USA 

🇺🇸 Regent Point Marina – Topping, Virginia USA 

MARINA PAPAGAYO 🇧🇸 COSTA RICA

14) FLOR DE CAÑA
SUSTAINABLE COCKTAIL SESSIONS

WATERMELON FLOR DAIQUIRI & FLOR

Flor de Caña Rum Bar: Sustainable and Natural

15) PANAMA POSSE SPONSORS 

• PREDICT WIND
• SEVENSTAR YACHT TRANSPORT
• HOME DEPOT PRO MEXICO
• HERTZ RENTAL CARS MEXICO
• YACHT AGENTS GALAPAGOS 
• FLOR DE CAÑA
• SAFE HARBOR SOUTH BAY MARINA EVENT CENTER
• WESTMARINE PRO
• SAILMAIL 
• CHRIS PARKER – MARINE WEATHER CENTER
• SAN DIEGO MARINE EXCHANGE
• DOWNWIND MARINE 

Get your Homedepot pro discount in Mexico
Request to be added to the pro discount list here >>

16) SIGN UP FOR FREE VESSEL
TRACKING COURTESY OF PREDICT WIND 

Tracking is voluntary, free and easy. Plus you get to see where your peers are and see where vessels have bee

Portobelo 🇵🇦 Panama 

17 ) HOLIDAY PICTURES OF THE WEEK 

Pasagada’s Crew

SY PASARGADA 🇺🇸 Nojan & Rachel – Hallberg-Rassy 36′

18) THE JOURNEY SOUTH 

ROCHAMBEAU pursed lip contest ?

Careyes Anchorage in full glory

It’s turtle season along Central Mexico’s Pacific Coast 

SY ROCHAMBEAU 🇺🇸 Rolf & Beverly – Lagoon 39′

19) THE BARREL OF HOPE

The barrel has arrived in Cabo San Lucas – please coordinate with Maison de Sante to paint your name and send your message of goodness .

YACHT SIGNED ON TO THE BARREL THUSFAR 

• Maison de Santé
• Enjoy
• We|Sail Va
• Yahtzee
• Edelweiss
• Calico Skies
• Jupiter 2
• Green Flash
• Knot Right
• Long Windid
• daMMAD Cat
• Freedom
• It’s about Time
• Rochambeau
• Myla
• Solmate
• Queso Grande II
• Epsilon
• Synchronicity
• White Wings
• Flite Deck
• Serenity
• Ilohale
• One Life
• Exhibitionism

THE BARREL IS A SYMBOL TO BE PASSED FROM VESSEL TO VESSEL WITH A MESSAGE OF FINDING LONG TERM SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS

Track the barrel here >>

SY MAISON DE SANTÉ 🇺🇸 Keenan & Nicole –  Cal 46′

20) SEVENSTAR YACHT TRANSPORT

 SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

More info on Sevenstar™s services can be found on 
https://www.sevenstar-yacht-transport.com/

Who is Sevenstar Yacht Transport?

Sevenstar is the world’s leading provider of yacht shipping services on a lift-on, lift-off basis.

For a quote with the Panama Posse discount please contact 
Kris Caren  kris@sevenstar-usa.com sevenstar-usa.com

21) PANAMA CANAL AGENT 
CENTENARIO CONSULTING ERICK GALVEZ

To arrange for transit with the Panama Canal Authority please contact Eric Galvez our dedicated Panama Canal agent and sponsor of the Panama Posse and the Pacific Posse

Erick Gálvez

info@centenarioconsulting.com

www.centenarioconsulting.com

Cellphone +507 6676-1376

WhatsApp +507 6676-1376

22) STRATEGIC PARTNERS

 

SEVEN SEAS CRUISING ASSOCIATION

Vicente’s Moorings – Acapulco – Mexico

Park Avenue Villas – San Juan del Sur – Nicaragua

Coconutz – Playa Cocos – Costa Rica

Abernathy – Chandlery – Panama

Pacific Posse 

Atlantic Posse

Advertising Partners – Las Vegas

Safe-Esteem.com – Delaware

Since 2019 Abernathy Panama extends a discount of up to 10 % to the Panama Posse

WE NEED YOUR TO HELP – JOIN THE POSSE FOR REAL

• HAVE AN IDEA ? 
• SUGGESTIONS ? 
• WANT TO HELP ? 
• CAN YOU HELP WITH GOOD NAUTICAL ?
• PROGRAMMING SKILLS ?
• CAN YOU NEGOTIATE ?
• SALES ?
• LIKE DETAILS ?
• PROJECT MANAGEMENT ? 
• PARTY PLANNING ? 
• DOCUMENTING ?
• ORGANIZING ?
• SPEAK FLUENT FRENCH ? 

We can always improve – so if anything peaks your interest please email registration@panamaposse.com 

DIVING @ ISLA MUJERES 🇲🇽 MEXICO 

WE OPERATE UNDER INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW

YOUR VESSEL YOUR CREW YOUR RESPONSIBILITY 

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 @ 9811 W Charleston blvd 2262 Summerlin LV NV 89117 USA

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