OCEAN POSSE BURGEES 🚩 panama 

SY CAVU  🇺🇸 David & Marla – Tartan 37′

MY ALLIANCE   🇺🇸  Rachel – Nordhavn 57′

SY PATHFINDER  x 🇺🇸  J.P. & Nicole

Today’s money shot from Saint Emilion

MY HO’OKIPA 🇺🇸 Lisa & Lucky Chucky – Selene 43′

PORT GRIMAUD  GOLFE DE SAINT TROPEZ
43° 16.145′ N   006°35.3733′ E

SY SMALL WORLD III 🇻🇮 Karen & Daren – Bristol 47.7′ 

TOULON 🇫🇷 FRANCE

43° 06.2966’N   005° 54.9733′ E

Toulon a practical guide
The lay of the land (and sea)
Toulon sits between Cap Sicié to the west and the Giens Peninsula to the east, fronting one of the most sheltered natural harbors in the Mediterranean. Two roadsteads – the Grande Rade (outer) and Petite Rade (inner) – are enclosed by headlands, forts, and breakwaters. The naval arsenal and base dominate the inner harbor; commercial ferries work the outer. For cruising yachts, that geography means protection in most conditions, a web of services ashore, and quick hops to exquisite island anchorages (Porquerolles, Port-Cros) or rugged day sails west toward the calanques of Cassis and Marseille.

The city’s character is maritime to the core: shipyards, ferries, fishing, naval gray, and the hum of a working port balanced by markets, cafés, and beaches along Le Mourillon. If you want a Riviera stop that feels seamanlike, useful, and authentic rather than frilly, Toulon punches above its weight.

Why visit – the Ocean Posse case
• Shelter and seamanship – One of the Med’s best all-weather havens. When the Mistral rakes the Golfe du Lion, Toulon’s double roadstead is a balm.
• Services that matter – Prop shops, riggers, machine and welding, electronics, sailmakers, haul-outs nearby. You can fix real problems here.
• Gateway cruising – East to Saint-Tropez, the Esterel, and onward to the Riviera; west to Bandol, Les Embiez, La Ciotat, and the calanques; south to the Hyères isles for Posidonia-clear anchorages.
• History you can walk – From Vauban’s bastions to Napoleon’s first taste of command, from the WW2 scuttling of the French fleet to the modern carrier strike group, you feel the naval tradition in your boots.
• Ashore value – Markets, provisioning, transport links (TGV, ferries, airport at Toulon-Hyères), beaches, and straightforward costs compared with glitzier neighbors.
• Good crew energy – It’s a working town with real sailors. You’ll find spares, advice, and hands who know which end is forward.

Approaches, traffic, and first impressions
Charts and scale. Approaches are simple in settled weather but busy. Expect fast ferries bound for Corsica, naval traffic (including patrol craft with right of way), pilot boats, and tugs. The outer roadstead is large, marked, and deep with obvious leading marks and lit heads. 

Approaches, traffic, and first impressions
Charts and scale. Approaches are simple in settled weather but busy. Expect fast ferries bound for Corsica, naval traffic (including patrol craft with right of way), pilot boats, and tugs. The outer roadstead is large, marked, and deep with obvious leading marks and lit heads.

Traffic separation and controls.
Keep a sharp watch on AIS and make early, positive alterations to avoid ferry tracks. The navy enforces temporary exclusion zones around moving units and sensitive piers; follow any patrol boat instructions without debate. Drone use is a hard no anywhere near the base.

Wind and sea.
The Mistral (NW) is the main game – strong, dry bursts that lift short, steep chop outside but blow clean over the roadstead. An easterly or southeasterly is the swell-maker; the outer rade remains serviceable, but you’ll prefer inner berths or the lee of Saint-Mandrier, Cap Brun, or the Mourillon mole. Summer sea breezes fill from the S to SE most afternoons.

Night entries.
Straightforward in good visibility; mind ferry schedules and lit buoys. The harbor’s light clutter can be busy; don’t shortcut around marks and do not stray anywhere near naval quays.
Weather and seasonality – when to time your call

• April–June –
Crisp air, rising temperatures, water warming, wildflowers ashore. Fronts still swing through; Mistral episodes a factor but anchorages are less crowded.
• July–August –
Hot, settled, afternoon sea breezes. Marinas run tight; book ahead. Island anchorages picturesque but regulated, with moorings and Posidonia protections.
• September–October –
Peak for passagemakers. Water’s warm, crowds thin, nights lengthen. Occasional easterly blows and first autumn lows.
• Winter –
Viable for hardy crews. Mistral periods more frequent; Toulon remains a safe bolt-hole with year-round services.

Anchorages – where a skipper actually drops the hook
General anchoring guidance. The harbor is large, but space for yachts is naturally constrained by naval, commercial, and ferry operations. You will often anchor outside the Petite Rade proper, in defined zones of the Grande Rade, or choose nearby coves along Cap Brun and the Giens side when conditions allow. Always avoid Posidonia meadows and respect buoyed prohibitions. Good ground tackle and a tidy, ready-to-run chain locker remain the Ocean Posse way.

In and around the roadstead
• Anse du Creux Saint-Georges – Saint-Mandrier side (lee spots)
43° 4.9501′ N 005° 55.4198′ E
Tucked behind the Saint-Mandrier peninsula, several pockets offer serviceable holding in sand with weed patches. They shine in light to moderate NW–W winds, giving you proximity to yard services and a short dinghy hop to cafés. Watch depths and ferry wakes; roll stoppers help on busy afternoons.

• Cap Brun / Anse Magaud / Anse Méjean
43° 6.4987′ N 005° 58.7709′ E
East of the main port, indented coves under high ground offer clear water and sand tongues between weed. Best in calm or light northwesterlies. Tight quarters in summer and locals know the sand veins by heart; arrive early and dive the set.

• Off Le Mourillon beaches
 / Lido
43° 6.3496′ N 005° 56.4698′ E
Day-stop fair-weather anchoring with quick access to beach promenades and provisions. Swell wraps in during easterlies; not advised overnight when onshore breezes stiffen.
The Hyères islands – day hops with big returns

• Moorings or Marina @ Porquerolles (N side in settled weather, S side in rare calms)
43° 0.1013′ N 006° 11.9198′ E
Water like cut glass, sandy plates between meadows, and park-style mooring regimes in season. The village is sailor-friendly. Expect regulation buoys, ranger boats, and anchoring restrictions over Posidonia that are enforced. Dinghy smartly and stow oars and fuel.

• Port-Cros (National Park)
42° 59.8493′ N 006° 22.2791′ E
Mooring fields predominate; anchoring is highly restricted. Trails, wildlife, and a deep cove aesthetic. When the wind humbles, this is Eden; when it pipes, you’ll be glad you’re secured to stout park tackle.

Westward – character harbors within reach
• Les Embiez
43° 4.5498′ N 005° 46.6198′ E
A classic mariner’s stop: secure marina, good holding outside in settled conditions, and a practical place for a short breather after a Mistral leg.

• Bandol
43° 8.1498′ N 005° 46.0013′ E
Lively, compact, and useful. Marina berths often booked in summer; holding outside is exposed in onshore weather but OK in calm spells.

• Cassis and the Calanques (beyond)
43° 12.6196′ N 005° 22.7796′ E
For the weather window sailors: staggering beauty, tight control, limited permits, and not a place to improvise. Plan, reserve, and carry your best ground tackle.

Marinas, yards, and getting work done
Toulon proper has multiple basins and visitor options, though the naval arsenal dominates the inner waterfront. Civilian marinas on the north and east sides of the Petite Rade serve visiting yachts with the usual Med-moor arrangements. Depths and berthing are friendly to most cruising sizes; larger cats should book in advance for beam. Expect fuel, water, power, Wi-Fi, showers, and laundry. Nearby are chandlers from “bits-and-bobs” up through professional electronics and hydraulics.

Saint-Mandrier & Port Pin Roll
and anchor the peninsula’s service side: a cluster of yards with lifts, hard standing, sail lofts, and riggers who understand real passagemaking loads. If you bent a stanchion, need a cutless bearing, want a custom bow roller, or must chase a gremlin in a genset panel, you can sort it here. Welding and fabrications are part of the local DNA.

La Seyne-sur-Mer
across the bay offers additional moorings and yards. The ferry shuttle links you easily to central Toulon if you berth there. It’s a solid alternative when the inner berths are tight or you want a quieter vibe with the same upside of proximity to services.

Hyères (east) and Porquerolles (seasonal)
add visitor berths when you’re staging for the islands. Hyères is city-convenient with big-box provisioning and transport links; Porquerolles’ harbor is charm incarnate but runs on park rhythm – think earlier arrivals and polite patience.

Fuel & gas. Multiple fuel stations serve the basin; plan to approach when ferries are not turning and keep spring lines ready. Butane/propane exchanges are widespread; adapter sets smooth the differences.
Spares and suppliers. Expect to find:
• standing and running rigging shops
• sailmakers who welcome repairs and re-cuts
• prop and shaft specialists (alignments, couplings, seals)
• electronics installers who can debug NMEA backbones and radar overlays
• watermaker service, hydraulics, and stainless fabrication
• dinghy and outboard service
This is one of those ports where “it can be done” is the default answer.

  Plymouth 🇺🇸 MA  

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It’s That Time Again – The Ocean Posse Annual Survey Has Dropped ⚓️

Ahoy Captains and Crew,There’s nothing quite like a good maritime survey to get your day started – a little honesty, a little embarrassment, and a whole lot of truth. We’re excited (yes, really excited) to hear what you really think.

This is your chance to weigh in – anonymously – and help shape the course of the Ocean Posse fleet. No names, no judgments, just your salty insights.Grab a coffee, drop anchor, and take a few minutes to fill it out.
👉

Take the Survey Now 

We’re counting on you – and there might just be a $250 prize at the end of your honesty.Stay informed,
The Ocean Posse Team

⚓ 👉 Each pod = your Route Tattoo :  just drop the emoji in chat to tag yourself and show your season’s cruising vibe.
Extra DIY points for stitching or painting your emoji on this season’s burgee . Your annual membership of $ 349
gives you full support   along any of these routes and your membership gives you full access to resources in 50 + maritime areas !

The Ocean Posse is extremely pet friendly – bring your best friend along !

TEHUANETEPEC  WINDS  🌬️ MEXICO 🇲🇽

 Nature’s Funnel Across Mexico

Original Posse Pods and sailors venturing along Mexico’s southern Pacific coast inevitably become acquainted with a powerful phenomenon: the Tehuantepec winds. These bursts of gale-force air, often called Tehuanos, sweep from the Gulf of Mexico through the Isthmus of Tehuantepec and fan out across the Pacific. They have been feared, respected, and carefully navigated by mariners for centuries. Understanding them is essential for safe passagemaking between southern Mexico and Central America.

Geography – Why They Happen Here
The Isthmus of Tehuantepec is the narrowest stretch of Mexico, where the Sierra Madre ranges dip and form a relatively low gap between the Gulf of Mexico (Atlantic basin) and the Pacific Ocean. Here the landmass measures less than 200 kilometers across. This topographical notch acts like a nozzle: when pressure systems develop over the Gulf, the winds seek a shortcut and pour across the isthmus.

On the Pacific side, the winds spill out through the Gulf of Tehuantepec, a broad bight between Salina Cruz and Puerto Chiapas. With little in the way of natural windbreaks, the air accelerates across the flat coastal plain and races hundreds of miles out to sea. For sailors, it creates a swath of wind and waves that must be crossed with caution.

The Mechanics of the Tehuantepecer
The driver is pressure gradient. High-pressure systems frequently build over the Gulf of Mexico in the winter months. Cold, dense air masses surge southward, piling against the Sierra Madre Oriental. The mountain ranges to the east and west block most of the flow, but at Tehuantepec the land dips, leaving a gap barely 250 meters above sea level. The winds funnel through with force, accelerated by the Venturi effect.
Once released, these winds roar across the Pacific coastline. Near shore, they can exceed 40 to 50 knots in extreme cases. Out at sea, the gale-force belt can extend 200–300 nautical miles offshore. Seas are steep, short, and chaotic, whipped up by the sudden blasts. Swells from the north mix with Pacific cross-seas, creating a dangerous washing machine.

Local fishermen call them Tehuanos. Meteorologists classify them as a type of “gap wind,” akin to the Bora in the Adriatic or the Papagayos further south in Central America.

Seasonality and Frequency
While Tehuantepec winds can occur in any month, they are most common from October through March. This is when cold fronts sweep across North America and push deep into the Gulf of Mexico. Each front can trigger an event lasting anywhere from 24 hours to over a week.

• Peak season – Mid December- February
• Average frequency – 15–20 events per season
• Intensity – Moderate blows of 25–35 knots are common; major gales surpass 50 knots and are often reported by commercial shipping.
By late spring, the trade winds and tropical systems dominate, reducing the frequency of Tehuantepecers. Still, an unseasonable winter front can surprise the unwary sailor even into May.

Historical Context
Long before modern forecasting, mariners feared this stretch of coast. Spanish galleons in the Manila trade took wide offshore routes to avoid being caught. Logbooks describe sudden gales that shredded sails and drove vessels onto a lee shore. Fishing villages along Oaxaca still tell tales of boats lost when the Tehuano descended unexpectedly.
Even today, modern shipping lanes acknowledge the hazard. Bulk carriers and container ships time their crossings with weather windows, sometimes delaying by days to avoid punishing seas.

The Navigator’s Challenge
For Ocean Posse captains heading from Huatulco toward Chiapas or onward to Guatemala and El Salvador, the Tehuantepec crossing is the key tactical passage. It demands planning, patience, and respect.

1. Reading the Weather and wait for port captains visto bueno
Today’s mariners have tools the Spaniards never dreamed of: GRIB files, satellite imagery, NOAA discussions. A Tehuantepec event is almost always forecast with at least 48–72 hours of lead time. Captains watch for cold fronts diving into the Gulf of Mexico and note the associated pressure gradients.

2. The Shoreline Tactic
One tried-and-true method is the one-foot-on-the-beach rule. By hugging the coastline within 1–2 nautical miles, sailors can avoid the worst of the wind fetch. The mountains and coastline offer a measure of protection, keeping seas lower. This coastal route requires constant vigilance, as shoals and fishing gear can be hazards, but it allows yachts to thread through the gale zone with less pounding.

3. The Offshore Gambit
Some captains choose to head 250–300 miles offshore, where the winds, though still strong, have lost some of their violence and the seas have more room to settle into longer-period swells. This tactic is more practical for larger, faster yachts or commercial vessels than for small cruising sailboats.

4. Timing
Most prudent sailors wait in anchorages around Huatulco, Puerto Ángel, or Marina Chahué until a clear weather window appears. Once a lull is forecast, they make their dash across the bight, often sailing day and night to stay ahead of the next blow.

Anchorages and Refuges
• Huatulco Bays – The classic jumping-off point, with several well-sheltered anchorages and a full-service marina.
• Puerto Ángel – Smaller, more rustic, but a traditional waiting spot.
• Puerto Chiapas – The landfall to the southeast, with customs and a secure marina.
Between these ports, options are limited. The flat sandy coast offers few all-weather shelters, and in a gale the lee shore is perilous. That is why timing is everything.

Tehuantepec in Seamanship Lore
Among bluewater sailors, successfully “crossing the Tehuantepec” is a rite of passage. It marks the transition from Mexico into Central America, from the gentle tourist harbors of the Pacific coast into the more rugged, less-traveled cruising grounds further south.
Stories abound of yachts pinned down by sudden blows, or of daring dashes along the beach with surf breaking a few boat lengths to leeward. Veterans recall reefing down hard, spray flying, and hand-steering for hours under gray skies. Yet they also speak of the satisfaction of planning well, catching a safe window, and seeing the volcanoes of Guatemala rise out of the haze as they leave the gulf behind.

Wider Oceanographic Impact
The Tehuantepec winds do more than challenge sailors – they shape the Pacific itself. The bursts of cold, dry air cool the ocean surface, promoting upwelling. This brings nutrient-rich waters to the surface, fueling plankton blooms and supporting fisheries. Tuna and other pelagic species thrive in the productive waters downstream of a Tehuano event. In this way, the winds tie local weather to global ecosystems.
Satellite images frequently capture plumes of cool water spreading hundreds of miles southwest, a fingerprint of the winds’ force. Scientists also study their role in generating gap wind jets that influence regional climate patterns across the tropics.

The Human Dimension
For communities in Oaxaca and Chiapas, the winds are both curse and blessing. Fishermen risk their lives when they venture out during a blow, yet the upwelling ensures rich catches in calmer days. The winds have also been harnessed for renewable energy: vast wind farms now span the Isthmus of Tehuantepec, their turbines spinning with relentless force. This region supplies a growing share of Mexico’s clean electricity.
For sailors, though, the human connection remains more primal: the Tehuantepec is a reminder that the sea and wind still dictate our movements. Schedules bend before nature’s timetable.

 Ocean Posse Captains Past Experiences 
1 Do not underestimate Modern yachts can be overwhelmed if caught mid-gulf in full force.
2 Patience is seamanship   Wait for a window; it will come. go see Oaxaca or the Ruta del Cafe  – there is plenty to see in southern Mexico
3 Local knowledge – Harbormasters in Huatulco or Puerto Chiapas know the patterns well.
4 Plan your fuel you may have to motor for 2days  – Light-wind lulls often mean motoring across calm patches.
5 Keep crew rested – The crossing may require two straight days underway, so set a good watch system.

Conclusion – A Wind of Passage
The Tehuantepec winds are not merely a meteorological quirk – they are a crucible of seamanship. To cross them is to align one’s journey with forces greater than ourselves, to study charts, clouds, and forecasts, and to respect the ancient gap where Atlantic meets Pacific.
For Ocean Posse sailors, the Gulf of Tehuantepec is a chapter of the voyage that binds us together. It tests our planning, our nerve, and our respect for nature’s power. And when the gale has passed and the seas calm, we sail on – wiser, humbler, and more deeply attuned to the eternal call of the sea.

OFFICIAL OCEAN POSSE EVENTS

Thu - Sun October 2025

ANNAPOLIS BOAT SHOW 🇺🇸 MARYLAND USA

ANNAPOLIS, Annapolis Town Dock Booth VB 9

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Tue - Fri October 2025

OCEAN POSSE 🇺🇸 SAN DIEGO BAY 4 DAY CRUISING SEMINARS SERIES @ SAFE HARBOR SOUTH BAY

SAFE HARBOR SOUTH BAY EVENT CENTER, CHULA VISTA, SAN DIEGO, CA

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Sat October 2025

OCEAN POSSE MARINE INSURANCE SEMINAR

ZOOM, ONLINE

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Wed - Sun December 2025

OCEAN POSSE KICK OFF 🇲🇽 BARRA DE NAVIDAD, MEXICO December 3-7 2025

MARINA PUERTO DE LA NAVIDAD, BARRA DE NAVIDAD, MEXICO

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Sun January 2026

FIESTA NAUTICA CLUB DE PESCA CARTAGENA 🇨🇴

CLUB DE PESCA, CARTAGENA COLOMBIA

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Sat January 2026

OCEAN POSSE AT SHELTER BAY 🇵🇦 PANAMA

SHELTER BAY MARINA, FORT SHERMAN, PANAMA

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Thu September 2026

OCEAN POSSE & BEN TAYLOR STREET PARTY @ CANNES 🇫🇷 YACHTING FESTIVAL

TAQUERIA LUPITA, 72 Rue Meynadier, Cannes

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Thu September 2026

GRAND PAVOIS 🇫🇷 La Rochelle – Sep. 24 2025

Gran Pavois La Rochelle, 20 Av. de la Capitainerie, 17000 La Rochelle, France

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Fri September 2027

GRAND PAVOIS 🇫🇷 La Rochelle – Sep. 24 2025

Gran Pavois La Rochelle, 20 Av. de la Capitainerie, 17000 La Rochelle, France

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Sun September 2028

GRAND PAVOIS 🇫🇷 La Rochelle – Sep. 24 2025

Gran Pavois La Rochelle, 20 Av. de la Capitainerie, 17000 La Rochelle, France

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Mon September 2029

GRAND PAVOIS 🇫🇷 La Rochelle – Sep. 24 2025

Gran Pavois La Rochelle, 20 Av. de la Capitainerie, 17000 La Rochelle, France

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Tue September 2030

GRAND PAVOIS 🇫🇷 La Rochelle – Sep. 24 2025

Gran Pavois La Rochelle, 20 Av. de la Capitainerie, 17000 La Rochelle, France

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MUST SEE PALENQUE 🇲🇽  CHIAPAS MEXICO 

Palenque also anciently known as Lakamha “Big Water” , was a Maya city state in southern Mexico that flourished in the 7th century. The Palenque ruins date from ca. 226 BC to ca. 799 AD. After its decline, it was overgrown by the jungle of cedar, mahogany, and sapodilla trees, but has since been excavated and restored with an onsite museum. It is located near the Usumacinta River in the Mexican state of Chiapas resides at 150 meters (490 ft) above sea level.
This site is best visited from Marina Chiapas in Mexico

Palenque is a medium-sized site, smaller than Tikal but it contains some of the finest architecture, sculpture, roof comb and relief carvings that the Mayas produced. Much of the history of Palenque has been reconstructed from reading the hieroglyphic inscriptions on the many monuments; historians now have a long sequence of the ruling dynasty of Palenque in the 5th century and extensive knowledge of the city-state’s rivalry with other states such as Calakmul and Toniná. The most famous ruler of Palenque was K’inich Janaab Pakal, or Pacal the Great, whose tomb has been found and excavated in the Temple of the Inscriptions. On the lid, as in his tomb, Pakal is positioned in an intermediary space, between the heavens—symbolized by the world tree and bird above him—and Xibalba, the Maya underworld. In addition to the remains of Pakal, precious materials such as jade, shells, pearls, and obsidians were discovered inside the sarcophagus.

It is estimated that less than 10% of the total area of the city is explored, leaving more than a thousand structures still covered by jungle.

The first published account of this lost city was in 1567, from a Friar of the Dominican Order Pedro Lorenzo de la Nada. Lorenzo came upon its stone temples, terraces, plazas and architecture, originally decorated with blue- and red-painted stucco but by then long abandoned by the Maya who built it. Lorenzo gave the grand structure the name Palenque, a Spanish word meaning “fortification.” As drought and warfare tore apart the social and political fabric of the Maya the Spanish conquistadors began claiming Maya land for plantations and subjugating Maya people to work on them, many residents of storied stone cities such as Yaxchilan and Palenque fled to the countryside in search of a better life. Ultimately they founded a host of new Maya cultures. Some people, known as the Lacandon Maya, established themselves in the forests around Lake Mensabak in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas. Their descendants still live in this region today. They are the Hach Winik, “the true people” in Yucatec Mayan.

The rulers of Palenque were called the “Holy Lord of Toktahn” or “Holy Lord of Baakal”, and among the king list are several legendary leaders, including Snake Spine and Ch’a Ruler I. The very first named ruler of Palenque is GI, the First Father, said to have been born 3122 BCE, and the Ancestral Goddess said to have been born 3121 BCE.
The dynastic rulers of Palenque begin with Bahlum-Kuk or K’uk Balahm, the Quetzal Jaguar, who took the throne of Palenque in 431 AD.

Lengthy Mayan texts, which researchers have used to translate Maya script.

16th century
The quest to decipher Maya hieroglyphs began with the very Spanish invaders whose rule did so much to wipe out the ancient Maya script. Among them was the conquistador Hernando Cortes, who led massacres in Mexico but who also, some scholars believe, had the famous Dresden Codex—one of just four Maya illustrated books surviving today—shipped back to Spain. Another was Diego de Landa, a friar bent on replacing indigenous with Christian beliefs. In what amounts to a crime against the cultural heritage of humanity, Landa orchestrated the burning in 1562 of hundreds if not thousands of Maya bark-paper books, which he deemed heretical. Yet four years later, Landa wrote a manuscript about the Maya world called “Relation of the Things of Yucatan” (left). Together, this manuscript and the Dresden Codex proved essential in the later decoding of the Maya’s calendar system and their advanced understanding of astronomy and mathematics

1832
Counting
Actual decipherment began with an eccentric European genius named Constantine Rafinesque, who boasted of having dabbled in more than a dozen professions, from archeology to zoology. His insatiable thirst for knowledge had led Rafinesque to a reproduction of just five pages of the Dresden Codex, from which he was able to crack the Maya’s system of counting. In 1832, Rafinesque declared in his newsletter, the Atlantic Journal and Friend of Knowledge, that the dots and bars seen in Maya glyphs (like these at left, from the Dresden Codex) represented simple numbers—a dot equaled one and a bar five. Later findings proved him right and also revealed that the Maya even had a symbol for zero, which appeared on Mesoamerican carvings as early as 36 B.C. (Zero didn’t appear in Western Europe until the 12th century.)

1881
Photo documentation
Britain’s Alfred Maudslay was a respected diplomat, but he would be best remembered for his work as an amateur Mayanist. Fascinated by scholars’ writings on the Maya and by new advancements in photography, Maudslay set out to create as complete a record as possible of the civilization’s architecture and art. Using a large-format, glass-plate camera, he captured highly detailed images of Maya sites, including clear close-ups of the glyphs (left). He also prepared papier-mâché casts of several carvings from which accurate drawings were later made. Maudslay had effectively given Maya studies its first systematic corpus, or body, of inscriptions. This helped make further decipherments possible, in part by bringing glyphs to scholars who had limited access to the few surviving Maya texts.

1952
The sounds of the glyphs
While glyph studies languished in the West, a Russian linguist in Moscow was making his own groundbreaking discoveries. In 1952, Yuri Knorosov (left) postulated that the individual symbols in Maya glyphs stood for phonetic sounds, much like English letters do. Knorosov knew that Maya had too many glyphs to be a true alphabet but too few for each glyph to symbolize an entire word. (Maya’s 800-plus glyphs compare to the several thousand characters of Chinese, for example.) He determined that written Maya, like Egyptian hieroglyphics, contained a combination of these elements. Because “west,” in spoken Maya, is “chik’in,” and “k’in” is the word for sun, the hand represents the syllable “chi,” as Knorosov concluded. Fortunately, American scholars Michael and Sophie Coe began publishing Knorosov’s papers in the U.S. in the late 1950s. Otherwise, his important (though incomplete) findings might have been inaccessible to Western scholars until the end of the Cold War.

Tombraiders

Scientific debt is owned to the famed Mexican archaeologist Alberto Lhuillier, who in 1952 removed a stone inside the Temple of Inscriptions and found the burial tomb of Pakal the Great. This has since become one of the most extensively studied archaeological sites in the Americas.

How to get there

Leave your vessel at Marina Chiapas on the Pacific coast ( entry and exit in Puerto Madero South Western Mexico) and drive to this site with a shared guided tour – or if you are adventurous drive yourself though Zapatista territory. Although the EZLN is still active and maintains a few strongholds in Chiapas, things are relatively peaceful and there is no threat to tourists. Travelers are advised to respect any roadblocks they may come across in rural areas which may require payment of an unofficial road tax. Get to the site early int he day before most day tourist show up and head to the Museum at mid day to avoid the crowds and chachki vendors inside the park which amass around 11 AM.

OCEAN  POSSE PANAMA 🇵🇦 CANAL AGENTS 

info@centenarioconsulting.com
www.centenarioconsulting.com
Cellphone +507 6676-1376
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Tucked in the heart of Panama City’s Casco Antiguo, the Panama Canal Museum is more than just a building filled with artifacts, it is a living chronicle of one of the greatest feats of maritime engineering. Housed in a stately colonial structure dating back to 1874, the museum occupies what was once the headquarters of the French canal company. From this very place, early visions of a sea-to-sea passage began to take shape, eventually culminating in the canal that redefined global shipping and ocean voyaging.

For visiting sailors and adventurers, the museum offers a rare opportunity to step ashore and absorb the full scale of the waterway’s history. Exhibits span from the 16th century, when Spanish navigators first dreamed of a shortcut between oceans, to the French effort under Ferdinand de Lesseps, to the eventual triumph of the U.S.-led construction and Panama’s stewardship after 1999.

Inside, carefully curated displays bring the canal’s story to life. Nautical maps, surveying tools, ship models, and archival photographs illustrate the enormity of the undertaking. A highlight for mariners is the section devoted to the mechanics of the locks – complete with scale models that show how ships are raised and lowered through the Gatun, Pedro Miguel, and Miraflores locks. Standing before these displays, one gains a deeper appreciation for the precision that makes each transit possible.

Equally compelling is the human story. The museum honors the thousands of workers, many of them from the Caribbean and beyond, who labored under grueling conditions to carve the canal through the Isthmus. Their sacrifices, alongside breakthroughs in tropical medicine and engineering, remind every seafarer that the canal is not only a passage for ships but also a monument to endurance and innovation.

The museum also provides a window into Panama’s modern role as guardian of this global crossroads. Interactive exhibits explain the 1977 Torrijos–Carter Treaties, the handover of canal operations in 1999, and Panama’s ongoing investment in its expansion, including the third-lane locks inaugurated in 2016. For yacht captains plotting their own transit, these insights add context to the procedures and fees encountered at Balboa or Colón.

Beyond the exhibits, the museum’s location in Casco Antiguo makes it a destination in itself. After an afternoon inside, sailors can step out onto cobbled streets lined with cafés, plazas, and colonial facades overlooking the Pacific. It is a fitting reminder that the canal is not just a passageway of steel and water, but a cultural artery linking continents and peoples.

For Ocean Posse crews and all who answer the call of the sea, a visit to the Panama Canal Museum is a rite of passage. It anchors the modern transit experience in centuries of maritime dreams and toil. Standing amid its galleries, one feels the weight of history – and the thrill of joining a line of navigators stretching from Balboa to today’s circumnavigators.

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Tidbits

OCEAN POSSE SAILING VESSEL PAWPAW  IS FOR SALE 

MEXICAN T.I.P. 

An uncancelled Mexican TIP (Temporary Import Permit) tied to a non mexican vessel is a common and sometimes messy issue. Since TIPs are issued to both the vessel and the owner, if a prior owner failed to cancel it when leaving Mexico, the boat will still appear as “in Mexico” in Banjercito’s system. Here’s what you can do:

1. Confirm the TIP status

Contact Banjercito (the issuing authority) with the vessel’s HIN, documentation/registration number, and old TIP number (if available).

They can verify whether the TIP is still active.

2. If the prior owner is reachable

Ask them to formally cancel it.

Cancellation normally requires showing the vessel at a Mexican port of entry, but sometimes Banjercito will accept:
A notarized letter from the prior owner requesting cancellation.
Copies of the original TIP, proof of sale, and current registration.

This is the cleanest and fastest path.

3. If the prior owner is not cooperative or unavailable

You’ll need to apply for cancellation through Mexican Customs (SAT/Aduana):
Provide your bill of sale or proof of ownership transfer.
Show that the vessel is currently in the U.S. (photos, marina invoice, or Coast Guard documentation with U.S. location).
Submit a request to SAT for TIP cancellation due to change of ownership outside Mexico.
Often this requires help from a Mexican maritime agent who knows the local Aduana office.

4. If you bring the vessel back to Mexico without clearing it up

You risk being denied entry, fined, or in worst cases having the boat impounded until the matter is resolved.

Clearing this up before re-entry is strongly advised.
Contact Eco Naviera who for a fee will try to help you

5. Practical path forward

Step 1: Email or call Banjercito (they have English speakers) with vessel details.

Step 2: If they confirm the TIP is active, try to get the prior owner to cancel it.

Step 3: If not possible, prepare documentation (bill of sale, U.S. registration, photos of vessel outside Mexico) and work with a Mexican agent to file a cancellation request with SAT/Aduana.

⚓ Tip from cruisers:
Sometimes a new TIP will be denied until the old one is cleared. Starting the cancellation process before sailing south saves weeks of delay and headaches

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