OCEAN POSSE 
8
NOTICE OF A RALLY 

🇺🇸  🇲🇽 🇧🇿 🇨🇷 🇳🇮 🇨🇴 🇨🇺 🇪🇨 🇸🇻 🇵🇦 🇩🇴 🇭🇳 🇯🇲 🇧🇸 🇹🇨 🇰🇾 🇬🇹 🇺🇸 

REGISTRATION FOR 

OCEAN POSSE 8

IS NOW OPEN 

https://oceanposse.com/register/panama-posse-24-25/
 

• An unprecedented 102 vessels from 9 Ensigns are already signed up https://oceanposse.com/2024-2025-vessels/
• Join
  the Ocean Posse for perks, live information and discounts at marinas,
  services providers, agents and become part of an intl. forward scouting
  fleet
• Have more fun, reduce your risk and maritime stress
• Save money and save TIME 
• Avoid hard schedules and voyage when the weather is in your favor
• Experience unrivaled camaraderie of the seafaring kind

TESTIMONIALS FROM SEASON 7:

Thank you,, for another year, another chapter well done.

We look forward to the new season, see old friends and new friends to meet.

Aloha, Rick and María Lucía 

SV PILIALOHA 🇺🇸 Rick & Maria - Beneteau 37'

Thank you everyone.  Your friendship is priceless.

SY YO-D-YO 🇺🇸  David & Mary – Hunter 45

’

Lots
of good friends, information, chats, & photos have been exchanged
on this app.  Line has served us well. 🇵🇦😎⛵️🇵🇦 Thank you for
leadership, Dietmar !

SY KNOT RIGHT   🇺🇸  Walt & Jeariene - Beneteau 47′

JUNE 3, 2024

"The difference between one country or the next 
is around 5° on your autopilot  
... keep cruising 'till you find your happy place"

 - Captain Dietmar

TOP NEWS  

• REGISTRATION FOR OCEAN POSSE 8 IS NOW OPEN
• Pictures of the Week
• Save the Date: Upcoming Events
• More Pictures of the Week
• Season 8 Award Nominations for Photo of the Season
• Posse Perk: Sharing Intel: 2023 monthly Atmospheric/lightning maps
• Impromptu Swim Party with locals and cruisers in French Polynesia
• Hurricane and Marine Forecasting Webinars THIS WEEK
• Overland in and around Tahiti with MV CELT
• Good Nautical: Isla Cavada part of Islas Secas
• Meet the Fleet: SV WARRIOR
• Pet Alert for pets travelling to the States from several Central American Countries
• Safety Alert: Top 5 Reasons for boating accidents in 2023  
• MUST SEE: DIQUÍS DELTA PRECOLUMBIAN CHIEFDOM SETTLEMENTS 🇨🇷 COSTA RICA

1)  PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Shimmering crystal clear blue & turquoise waters in the Bahamas

Life is good in the Exumas!

SY FREEDOM 🇺🇸 David & Sheri - Beneteau 55′

Taking a calm early leave of Bocas del Toro & making their way to Shelter Bay

SY CARINTHIA 🇺🇸  Dietmar & Susan - Lagoon 44′

Tender Upgrade....Bravo!

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

2)  MORE EVENTS IN 2024-2025 

 🧭

OCEAN POSSE @ ANNAPOLIS BOAT SHOW

OCTOBER 10-14  ’24   🇺🇸  ANNAPOLIS MD

Come party and meet the cruising fleet at booth VB10 OCT 10-14 2024

Pick up your burgee – drink a coconut full of rum and enjoy the show specials 

WE ARE LOOKING FOR BOOTH VOLUNTEERS - GET AN ALL ACCESS BOAT SHOW BADGE IF YOU WORK THE BOOTH FOR 6 HOURS -  saves  $ 30 x day 

OCEAN POSSE   @TELU TRIBE 

Expect 35,000 sailors and boat show specials 
Please volunteer at the booth and make new friends 

OCEAN POSSE 🇺🇸 SAN DIEGO CALIFORNIA 
CRUISERS SEMINARS SERIES  
OCTOBER 23-25 '24

https://oceanposse.com/events/san-diego-seminar-series/

$ 45 per person x day 
 FREE FOR OCEAN ° PANAMA ° SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE 

@ SAFE HARBOR SOUTH BAY ° EVENT CENTER  

FULL ITINERARY OF THESE COMPREHENSIVE 

CRUISING SEMINARS :

WEDNESDAY OCTOBER 23rd, 2024 ● SEMINARS

09:00 - Cruising down Pacific Mexico

10:00 - Water Makers + Plumbing in Paradise 

Brought to you by Richard Boren
of Cruise RO Watermakers 

11:30 - Diesel Engines  & Generators and preventative Maintenance

12:30 LUNCH -  Open CPN – installation and integration (PC + MAC )

14:00 - Rigging 101 Standing and Running

15:30 - Weather Weather Weather – planning – routing – underway

16:30 - Crew the good the bad and the ugly

17:00 - Destination Costa Rica and Nicaragua

 THURSDAY OCTOBER 24th, 2023 ● SEMINARS

09:00 - South Pacific  – French Polynesia – Cook Islands – Tonga &  Fiji

10:00 - Safety Security and Emergencies  outside the US and what to expect

11:00 - Electrical Systems – Batteries, Chargers, Alternators, Solar Panels

12:30 LUNCH - Cruising in Panama + the Panama Canal 
SAN BLAS | PERLAS | BOCAS | CHIRIQUI

14:00 - Where and how and who to repair boats outside the US

15:30 - The tropics – Refrigeration, AC, Shading,  Airflow + other ways to stay cool

17:00 - Destination Colombia, Jamaica & Bay of Islands Honduras Roatan

FRIDAY OCTOBER 28th, 2023 ● SEMINARS + PARTY

09:00 - Destination Belize & Rio Dulce Guatemala

10:00 - Communications onboard, underway and on shore south of the border

11:30 -  The fundamentals of wires, connectors and fuse

12:30 LUNCH - Open CPN – Satellite Charts – Use Cases and Satellite Chart creation

14:00 - Chart Accuracy, Navigation Trips and Tricks & Tracking

15:30 - Provisioning, Propane and Fuel – where to replenish

17:00 – 21:00  OCEAN POSSE PPPPARTY

$ 45 per person x day 
 FREE FOR OCEAN ° PANAMA ° SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE

3) MORE PICTURES THIS WEEK

Approaching Islas Secas, Pacific 🇵🇦  Panama

MY TIDINGS OF JOY 🇺🇸 Jeff & Joy - DeFever 52′

Moonrise in Bocas 🇵🇦 

MY SUNDOWNER 🇺🇸 Jeffrey & Lynn - Californian 50'

Sunset over Miami 🇺🇸 Florida

SY COURAGE 🇺🇸 John & Kristine – Tartan 4100

4) SEASON 8 

FIRST PHOTO AWARD NOMINATIONS

Pelicans flying over a double rainbow

MY TIDINGS OF JOY 🇺🇸 Jeff & Joy - DeFever 52′

Cocos floats in front of an amazing sky San Blas 🇵🇦 Panama 

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

Flor de Caña sponsors the OCEAN Posse 

ANNUAL AWARDS INCLUDE:

• BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT*
• PICTURE OF THE YEAR
• YODA OF THE YEAR
• SPEEDY AWARD – SEVENSTAR AWARD
• THE CAPTAIN RON AWARD
• MOST UNWELCOME VISITOR ONBOARD
• HIGHEST WIND RECORDED
• SPIRIT OF EXPLORATION
• GALLEY GOD(ESS)
• GOOD SAMARITAN OF THE YEAR
• BOAT YOGA POSE OF THE YEAR
• COURAGE AWARD

Nominate yourself, a crew member, or another boat   

SUBMIT ENTRIES ON THE LINE AP OR EMAIL TO EDITOR@PANAMAPOSSE.COM

Share the adventure

5) ACTIVE SEASON 8 BEGINS ...

 when the last hurricane blows through - for now we hunker down and mend the vessels and avoid taking risks

"POSTCARD" FROM 🇻🇪  VENEZUELA 
https://oceanposse.com/los-roques 

MY OUTVENTURE  🇵🇦 Jurgen & Iris - Lagoon 43 PC’

6) POSSE PERK: SHARING INTEL

FOR THOSE IN OR HEADING TO PANAMA

LAST YEARS MONTHLY ATMOSPHERIC/LIGHTNING MAPS

A note from SY MAISON DE SANTÉ:

(This week) marks the beginning of hurricane season in the Atlantic.
Wishing everyone the best as we find safe (and hopefully beautiful)
spots to tuck away in. It’s been a great season and looking forward to
the next one 💕

For
those on the Atlantic Side of the Canal this link has last years
monthly atmospheric and lightning maps as a reference for what one could
expect:

https://www.imhpa.gob.pa/uploads/documentos/Mapas_Descargas_Atmosfericas_20231394008492.pdf

Beautiful Sunset

SY MAISON DE SANTÉ 🇺🇸 Nicole & Keenan -  Cal 46'

Thank you for Sharing your LOVE of the water !

 7) SHARING YOUR ADVENTURES  
is the heart and soul of the Ocean Posse 

Please
share pictures of your adventures, your award entries/nominations, your
breathtaking sunsets, and picturesque anchorages on our group
communications platform for others to enjoy in real time and/or email
Maurisa at editor@panamaposse.com
to share in the upcoming newsletter.  Maurisa is a sailor among
us.  She is part of the Ocean Posse crew and enjoys writing fun and
helpful updates to the Ocean Posse. 

Impromptu Swim Party 🇵🇫 French Polynesia

SV WARRIOR shares:

We
anchored very close to the beach where all the kids play.  We had
2' under keel at low tide.  Because we were so close one of the
older boys swam up and said 'hello'.  We chatted for a bit and I
offered for him to come aboard.  He did. Chatted a bit more (his
broken English and our non-existent French).  I motioned that he
(could) jump off the roof which he immediately did.  The other kids
saw this and started coming over.  He asked politely if his
friends could also jump.  Then there were 6-8 kids on board.
Then, apparently, all the kids in town heard and by the end of it
32 kids and 3 different boats participated.  We handed out a bunch
of cookies and water.  It was very unplanned and wonderful.

SY WARRIOR 🇺🇸 Dave & Beth – Leopard 45'

Thank you for Sharing the spontaneous swim party !

8) TWO  WEBINARS THIS WEEK

HURRICANE 🌀 MARINE FORECASTING

 Provided by the National Hurricane Center

This just in from the NHC:

“Dear Blue Water Mariners,

Please
join us for our two free Webinars on Hurricane and Marine Forecasting
provided by the National Hurricane Center. These webinars are intended
for mariners that operate over the open ocean:

1. “Hurricane Analysis and Prediction”

• 2-3 PM EDT, Wednesday, June 5th

Mr. Dan Brown

Branch Chief, Hurricane Specialist Unit

Register here https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/2357088386986818390

2. “Wind and Wave Forecasting”

• 2-3 PM EDT, Thursday, June 6th

Dr. Chris Landsea

Chief, Tropical Analysis & Forecast Branch

Register here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/8372090984291220832

9) MARINA VALLARTA 🇲🇽 BANDERAS BAY 

SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE 

A CENTRAL AMERICAN RALLY

20°39.8083 ‘N  105°15.085’ W

Good
afternoon, a pleasure to greet you, the discount for members registered
in OCEAN POSSE we have authorized for said agreement, it is 15% off our
current rates provided we have space.

If I can support you in anything else please let us know

Without further ado, for the moment I bid you farewell, wishing you an excellent day.

Regards!

Dania Medrano

Paseo de la Marina S/N Interior 3

Colonia Marina Vallarta.

Teléfono (322) 221-02-75.

e-mail: dmedrano@marina-vallarta.com.mx

e-mail: info@marina-vallarta.com.mx

Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, México.

SERVICES

Marina
Vallarta offers state of the art facilities and high quality services
within the entire complex.With more than 354 slips ,the marina stands
out for the quality services it offers.

• Complete Yacht Services
• Fuel Dock
• Chandleries
• Shopping Centers
• Restaurants
• Hotels
• Traditional Mexican market on Thursdays

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON SERVICE PROVIDERS:

https://panamaposse.com/marina-vallarta

10) MV CELT GOES OVERLAND 

ON THE ISLAND OF TAHITI 🇵🇫 FP

Sunset in Tahiti, French Polynesia

Polynesian monuments

Undersea mural

After sailing across the Pacific from Panama and being on anchor since January 2024, the crew of MV CELT arrived in Papeete Marina on the French Polynesian island of Tahiti.  "Having been on anchorages since January, it was a welcome feeling to be in a city again and without an anchor alarm! "

They decided to rent a car and drive around the whole island.  

"We
saw the waterfalls, the black coral beaches and Teahupoo, the area
where the Olympic surfing will be held. We went shopping to Carrefour
and wow it’s nice to have choices again! We said goodbye to some sailing
friends who are headed to Australia, Guy on Mahaba and Myles and Gabby
on Breeze. We met some new friends from Dublin,Aodan and Richie and
their 14 year old Springer Jake on the sailboat Why Knot (and went to
some happy hours at Meherios)"

Sweet water Waterfall

MV CELT crew stretching their land legs in the mountains

Great place for refreshments in Tahiti

Nice slip to break away from the boat for some overland travels

MV CELT 🇺🇸 Gerry & Angela - Nordhavn 43′

11) GOOD NAUTICAL:

ISLA CAVADA 

(PART OF ISLAS SECAS)

07° 59.6160' N   082° 1.9220' W

Isla
Cavada is part of the Islas Secas island group in western Panama.
The island group is about 25 nm northwest of Isla Coiba.
Anchor over sand in multiple places on the east side of the
Island.  Great snorkeling and beautiful sand beaches.  There
is a resort that owns one of the islands.  

https://goodnautical.com/panama/anchorage/isla-cavada

Sunrise from Isla Cavada

MV SUMMERBREEZE on the move; departing Isla Cavada

MV SUMMERBREEZE 🇺🇸 Kurtis - Bestway 46'

12) PIER SIXTY-SIX MARINA 🇺🇸 

FT. LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA  USA

26°06.1666′ N 080°07.0033′ W

https://panamaposse.com/pier-sixty-six-marina

We are excited to welcome the Ocean Posse and look forward to your arrival !

Pier
Sixty-Six Marina is the closest marina to the Port Everglades inlet and
in the center of the marine world of Fort Lauderdale.

As
a special recognition we will offer a discounted fuel rate reserved for
annual dock holders of $ 2.85 vs $ 3.57 x gallon ( 07/01/2021) and an
exclusive welcome gift.

We also offer the lowest slip rates in the area.

We  look forward to meeting all the participants of the Ocean Posse

MEGAN LAGASSE

 Marine Director

Pier Sixty-Six Marina

2301 SE 17th Street

Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316

CONTACT:

p +1 954.728.3578

c +1 978.270.8508

INFO@66MARINA.COM

WWW.66marina.com

AMENITIES

• FUEL  Marine Diesel and Rec90
• WATER  Potable  Broward County Water meets exceeded all federal Safe Drinking Water Act standards
• SHORE POWER  ( 125V 30/50  125/220V 50    no 230v
• WIFI  Newly updated 1 gig up and down
• PET FRIENDLY
• RUBBISH / RECYCLING   Rubbish /  Recyling from 4Ocean
• LOCAL PARKING
• TOILETS  ( no showers during construction phase )
• LAUNDRY Dryclean USA pick up and drop off
• RESTAURANTS which are a  2 min dinghy ride away and have patrons docks
• 15 Street Disheries
• Southport Rawbar
• Boatyard Restaurant

PROVISIONING

• PUBLIX
• Winndixie  

PHARMACY

• Walgreens

13) POSSE SPONSOR: 

LATITUDES AND ATTITUDES

Latitudes
and Attitudes & OCEAN POSSE The #1 Cruising Lifestyle publication
on the planet just keeps getting bigger and better! Incredible
destination articles and features by the cruisers themselves, including
how-to’s, DIY and exciting new products! OCEAN POSSE PARTICIPANTS
RECEIVE  $5.00 off per subscription   Hello, Please use the
coupon code upon checkout : panamaposse Subscribe Now to the Lats &
Atts Online Magazine ! >>   Access all 4 Digital Issues for
only $14.99-5 = $ 9.99 /year ! (That’s only $2.49 per issue!)

All OCEAN POSSE subscribers receive:

10% off at the Lats & Atts Store

Download the digital magazine for easy offline access!

Invitation to Cruisers Parties

 OCEAN POSSE HAS A SPECIAL SUBSCRIPTION DEAL  

14) MEET THE FLEET  

SY WARRIOR

Dave, Beth and Landon (G16)

Dave,
Beth and Landon (G16) have been sailing Warrior from Fort Lauderdale
since last March on their 2021 Leopard 45.  Prior to that they
experienced tragedy in 2022 when their brand new 2022 Fountaine Pajot 42
Astrea burned and sank, killing their two dogs in Georgetown, Bahamas.
Not to be knocked down, these Warriors got back up quickly and are
now currently in the Marquesas and departing soon for the Tuamotus.
They aim to be in New Zealand or Australia by end of October.
You can follow them on their instagram @sailinglifewarriors.

SV WARRIOR 🇺🇸 Dave, Beth, & Landon - Leopard 45

15) POSSE SWAG

16)  PET ALERT:

NEW RULES FOR HIGH RISK COUNTRIES 
GETTING YOUR PETS INTO THE USA WILL BECOME CONSIDERABLY MORE DIFFICULT FROM THESE COUNTRIES 

https://www.cdc.gov/importation/bringing-an-animal-into-the-united-states/dogs-entering-us-after-august-1.html#requirements

🇧🇿 BELIZE
🇨🇴 COLOMBIA
🇨🇺 CUBA
🇩🇴 DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
🇪🇨 ECUADOR 
🇸🇻 EL SALVADOR
🇬🇹 GUATEMALA
🇭🇹 HAITI
🇭🇳 HONDURAS
🇻🇪 VENEZUELA 

and many other countries, for a complete list of countries here >>

Requirements
for foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a country with high risk
of dog rabies within 6 months before entry 
CHECK THE THE LIST & LINK ABOVE  

Dogs,
including service dogs, that have been in a country at high-risk for
dog rabies within the 6 months before entry and do not have appropriate
documentation of current U.S.-issued rabies vaccine must:

•     Meet all requirements in the “All Dogs” section
•     Have a complete Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination and Microchip form
• 
  Ensure the dog is microchipped with an
  International Organization for Standardization (ISO)-compatible
  microchip before receiving the rabies vaccination and the number is
  recorded on the veterinary documents or the vaccine will not be
  considered valid
•         Verify the dog is at least 12 weeks (84 days) of age when vaccinated against rabies
• 
  The dog must have a valid (i.e., non-expired)
  rabies vaccination. If it’s the dog’s first vaccination or if the dog’s
  vaccination coverage has lapsed, the vaccine must be administered at
  least 28 days before arrival to the United States.
• 
  The Certification of Foreign Rabies Vaccination
  and Microchip form must be completed by your veterinarian AND endorsed
  by an official veterinarian in the exporting country.
• 
  Have a valid rabies serology titer (titer not required if dog
  has reservation for 28-day quarantine at a CDC-registered animal care
  facility)
• 
  The blood sample for the rabies serology titer
  must have been drawn at least 30 days after the dog’s first valid rabies
  vaccination and at least 28 days before entry to the U.S.
• 
  Dogs with a history of multiple valid rabies
  vaccinations administered after the microchip was placed may have the
  sample for the rabies serology titer drawn at any time after a rabies
  booster vaccination as long as the dog’s first vaccine was given at
  least 30 days before the blood sample was drawn and there has been no
  lapse in vaccine coverage. If a lapse occurs, the sample must be drawn
  at least 30 days after the valid booster vaccination was administered.
• 
  The sample must be sent to a CDC-approved rabies
  serology laboratory. If there is no CDC-approved laboratory in your
  country, your veterinarian may draw the sample and send it
  internationally to a CDC-approved laboratory.
•         Passing results must be obtained in order for a serology to be valid.
• 
  Rabies serology titer results will be considered
  valid for the life of the dog as long as the dog’s rabies vaccination
  coverage does not lapse. If a lapse occurs, a new rabies serology titer
  will be required and that sample must be drawn at least 30 days after
  the new vaccination was administered.
• 
  If the dog does not have a valid rabies serology
  titer, it will be required to be quarantined at a CDC-registered animal
  care facility for 28 days after the dog is revaccinated by the
  facility’s veterinarian.
• 
  Have a reservation at a CDC-registered animal care facility for
  examination and revaccination (and quarantine if the dog does not have a
  valid rabies serology titer)
• 
  All foreign-vaccinated dogs that have been in a
  high-risk country in the previous 6 months must have a reservation for
  examination, verification of age, documents, and microchip number, and
  administration of a rabies booster vaccination at a CDC-registered
  animal care facility immediately upon arrival in the United States.
• 
  Dogs that do not have a valid rabies serology
  titer must also have a reservation for quarantine. Dogs will be
  quarantined at the facility for 28 days at the importer’s expense after
  being revaccinated by the facility’s veterinarian.
• 
  All CDC-registered animal care facility expenses,
  including exam, revaccination, and quarantine (if required), are the
  responsibility of the importer.
•         The facility will need copies of all required documents prior to confirming your reservation.
• 
  Ensure the dog meets any facility-specific
  requirements (contact facility for additional information).
• 
  If after arrival the CDC-registered animal care
  facility determines that your documents are not valid or the dog’s
  microchip number, age, or description does not match the paperwork
  provided, the dog may be denied entry and returned to the country of
  departure at your expense.
• 
  Dogs that have evidence of illness or are not
  healthy will be required to have testing to confirm they do not have
  contagious diseases before they will be eligible for release, which may
  extend the required quarantine period beyond 28 days. Any required
  testing or extended stay in quarantine will be at the importer’s
  expense, so please ensure dogs are healthy upon arrival (including no
  evidence of fleas, ticks, or skin diseases).
• 
  Have an international flight that arrives directly at the
  airport with the CDC-registered animal care facility where the dog has a
  reservation
• 
  Dogs must arrive to the U.S. at the airport where
  the CDC-registered animal care facility is located. This must be the
  location where the dog has a reservation.
•         This must also be the airport listed on the CDC Dog Import Form
• 
  Domestic flights or other forms of travel to other
  locations in the U.S. are not permitted until after the dog receives
  required follow-up services at the CDC-registered animal care facility
  and is cleared for entry.
• 
  SERVICE DOGS ARRIVING BY SEA: Service dogs, as defined in 14 CFR
  382.3, may arrive by sea if they meet the requirements in the “All
  Dogs” section, have a complete Certification of Foreign Rabies
  Vaccination and Microchip form and a valid rabies serology titer, and
  are traveling with their handler. Emotional support animals are not
  service animals under this definition.

17)  SAFETY ALERT:

US COAST GUARD SHARES

TOP FIVE REASONS FOR BOAT ACCIDENTS

Boat negotiating opposing waves.

The US Coast Guard released statistics on 2023 boating accidents.  

According
to an article released on maritime industry news out of the UK, "The
top five primary contributing factors in accidents were operator
inattention, improper lookout, operator inexperience, excessive speed,
and machinery failure.  However, alcohol continued to be the
leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents in 2023,
accounting for 79 deaths, or 17 per cent of total fatalities."

The
article goes on to outline the crafts involved in most accidents, the
level of (in)experience contributing to most accidents, and suggests
better practices to avoid accidents.

While
the top 5 reasons may seem obvious, complacency is perpetual risk on
the water and this Safety Reminder is intended to continue to keep
mariners vigilant and safe on the water.

https://marineindustrynews.co.uk 

18)  MUST SEE: 

DIQUÍS DELTA PRECOLUMBIAN 

CHIEFDOM SETTLEMENTS 🇨🇷 COSTA RICA

Located
in the Diquís Delta in southern Costa Rica these Chiefdom settlements
illustrate a collection of unique stone spheres of the
Precolumbian period. The four sites represent different settlement
structures of chiefdom societies (500-1500 CE) containing artificial
mounds, paved areas and burial sites. Diquís stone spheres, which are
rare in their perfection of large-sized (up to 2.57m diameter) spherical
structures .

Stone
Spheres of the Diquís illustrate the physical evidence of the complex
political, social and productive structures of the Precolumbian
hierarchical societies. The chiefdoms which inhabited the Diquís Delta
created hierarchical settlements expressing the division of different
levels of power centers.

Stone spheres

The
four property components contribute specific elements which allow for
the understanding of the chiefdom settlement structures. Finca 6 is the
only site retaining stone spheres in linear arrangements, Batambal is
the only chiefdom settlement visible from a far distance, El Silencio
contains the largest single stone sphere ever found, and Grijalba-2 site
is unique for its use of limestone and its distinctive characteristics
as a subordinate centre, as opposed to the Finca 6 site, which was
likely a principal center.

Archaeological
sites with sets of stone spheres have been affected for decades and
individual spheres have been removed, altered or destroyed causing a
great loss of the Costa Rican cultural heritage. For many years,
archaeological investigations were scarce, but since the early 1990s,
investigations began to progressively fill information gaps.

Careful excavation of a Pre-Columbian Stone Sphere in Costa Rica

They
appear to have been made by hammering natural boulders with other
rocks, then polishing with sand. The degree of finishing and precision
of working varies considerably. The gabbro came from sites in the hills,
several kilometers away from where the finished spheres are found,
though some unfinished spheres remain in the hills. They are used for
decoration.

Since
2005, the National Museum of Costa Rica has developed the project
“Archaeological Investigations in Sites with Stone Spheres, Delta del
Diquís” aimed at studying the pre-Columbian occupation of the delta,
focusing particularly on archaeological sites with the presence of stone
spheres. At the same time trying to contribute to the discussion of
various issues of regional relevance such as the emergence of rank
societies and their particularities, in light of local developments
proposed from the genetics and linguistics of current indigenous groups.

The
regional and medium-term focus of this study has allowed a growing
accumulation of information on different periods of occupation and
establish the great potential of knowledge despite decades of
agricultural work. The activities have combined inspection, evaluation
and partial excavation of various settlements.

The
spheres were discovered in the 1930s as the United Fruit Company was
clearing the jungle for banana plantations.[4] Workmen pushed them aside
with bulldozers and heavy equipment, damaging some spheres.
Additionally, inspired by stories of hidden gold, workmen began to drill
holes into the spheres and blow them open with sticks of dynamite.
Several of the spheres were destroyed before authorities intervened.
Some of the dynamited spheres have been reassembled and are currently on
display at the National Museum of Costa Rica in San José. The
collection at the National Museum of Costa Rica is made up of six of the
spheres.  A lot of the spheres also ended up as lawn decorations
for many Tico citizens

The
spheres were discovered in the 1930s as the United Fruit Company was
clearing the jungle for banana plantations.[4] Workmen pushed them aside
with bulldozers and heavy equipment, damaging some spheres.
Additionally, inspired by stories of hidden gold, workmen began to drill
holes into the spheres and blow them open with sticks of dynamite.
Several of the spheres were destroyed before authorities intervened.
Some of the dynamited spheres have been reassembled and are currently on
display at the National Museum of Costa Rica in San José. The
collection at the National Museum of Costa Rica is made up of six of the
spheres.  A lot of the spheres also ended up as lawn decorations
for many Tico citizens