FLEET UPDATES

PANAMA POSSE 
 
FLEET UPDATE 

MARCH 9, 2024

“You see yourself as a shipwreck, but we see your treasure glowing inside, beneath the oceans in your eyes.”

― Curtis Tyrone Jones 

TOP NEWS  

• April 6 2024  🇧🇿 BELIZE YACHT FEST
• Season 7 Award Entries:  Most Unwanted Guest Entry
• EXCLUSIVE LOW POWER AC PRODUCT DEMO   
• Careening in Costa Rica 🇨🇷
• Canal Crossing Report 🇵🇦
• Posse Perk: Sharing Intel on Chart Accuracy
• Water Maker Membrane Care
• Good Nautical: Isla Tigre Gulfo Fonseca 🇭🇳 
• Meet the Fleet: SY PINTA

• BAHIA EL SOL 🇸🇻 EL SALVADOR ⚠️DO NOT ENTER UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

• MUST SEE: Cocos Island, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
• Join the South Pacific Posse 
• Join the Atlantic  Posse 

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

271 Yachts are signed up - JOIN YOUR POSSE 

1)  PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Beach view from Red Frog Marina, Bocas del Toro 🇵🇦 Panama 

SY RAMBLE ON ROSE 🇺🇸 Don & Rosalind – Caliber 40’

 

 

Live on the water, Play on the water

....and watch the sunset over the water.

SY BOUNDLESS  🇺🇸  Daniel & Naiby - Shannon 43′

2) SAVE THE DATE : 

PANAMA POSSE 🇧🇿 BELIZE YACHT FEST 

@ PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB

Saturday April 6, 2024

16:00 – 21:30

16° 30.471’N 088° 21.7216′ W

PANAMA POSSE 🇧🇿 BELIZE YACHT FEST 
@ PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB

BELIZE PLACENCIA YACHT FEST 🇧🇿 Placencia Yacht Club

Saturday April 6, 2024

16:00 – 21:30

Placencia Yacht Club

16° 30.471’N 088° 21.7216′ W

>> RSVP HERE <<

https://oceanposse.com/events/belize-placencia-yacht-fest/

CONTACT

 Beat,  Caroline, dogs & Heyson Garcia - 
YES PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB IS UBER DOG FRIENDLY 

We,
Caroline Imfeld and Beat Rettich are running this place since January
2021. We moved from Switzerland to Belize in 2019 and found this
treasure while looking for a dock for our yacht.

Simplicity on a high level is our aim and to make our guests happy.

 FOR RESERVATIONS AND MOORINGS @ PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB

info@clearwaterexploring.com

www.placencia-yacht-club.com

T: +501 639 8555

Whatsapp   +41 78 605 5181

VHF 68

SAFE APPROACH 

SAVE APPROACH   @ 16° 29.9333′ N 088° 20.9266' W

3)  EXCLUSIVE LOW POWER 
12 VDC AC PRODUCT DEMO 
FOR THE OCEAN POSSE 

There
is a special product demo this week with a company we met at the
Annapolis Boat show it's a small AC unit which runs on 12 V - we are
getting a private demo this week via zoom - 

5.000 BTU at Rated Current of the air compressor is only 12.1A/hour + waterpump
https://panamaposse.com/archer-power-solutions

4) MORE ADVENTURES, 

MORE PICTURES THIS WEEK

SY BISOU & SY ZORBA (northbound) meet in Tenacatita, Mexico 🇲🇽

SY BISOU 🇦🇺 Robin and Tad - Fountaine Pajot 44′

SV ZORBA 🇲🇭 Tomer &Limor – Tayana 48’

Crossing the Canal with the Pacific Ocean astern...let the next Chapter begin 🇵🇦  

SY COURAGE 🇺🇸 John & Kristine – Tartan 4100

Meanwhile, SV OHANA, crossing the Canal with the Atlantic astern

SY OHANA 🇺🇸 Chad, Nicole & crew – Fountaine Pajot 50’

5) SEASON 7 AWARD NOMINATIONS:

 ONE NEW MOST UNWELCOME VISITOR ABOARD ENTRY

Warning, this is not a sundowner...

...this is a Most Unwelcome Aboard classic Diesel bug.

Found doing tank inspection in Pacific crossing preparation.

SY TIAMAT 🇺🇸 Stephanie & Owen – Fountaine Pajot 44’

ABOUT THE DIESEL BUG 

Vessel
in the the tropics may check the stored diesel. Fuel in tanks
deteriorates over time, as it reacts with the oxygen in the air.
Usually, fuel can stay in a usable condition under storage for up to a
year, after which it may begin to develop sediments. Fuel is not just
affected by these residues, but also bacteria and fungi.

Water
that forms in fuel tanks due to condensation (when the tanks heat up
during the day and cool down at night and are not full, for example),
creates the perfect petri dish for bacteria. One of the most common
microorganisms that can grow under these circumstances is the diesel
bug, deteriorates your fuel and create a sludge capable of damaging your
engine.

Once you get underway it shushes around and the fuel pickup hose quickly gets clogged. The bug clogs the fuel system.

ACTUAL CAUSES

•     Humidity in the air
•     Fuel tank condensation
•     Fuel tank insulation
•     Air leak on seals on fuel tank filler cap inc damaged o-rings
•     Poor fuel station storage quality
•     Low volume of sales at fuel station

REMEDIES

Once you have the bug ...

1) Separate the water from the diesel

2) Shock and kill the diesel bug with biocides

3) Remove sediments from the bottom of your tank

To Prevent the bug

1) Fill the tank

2) Use a fuel filter to take on fuel from the pump

3) Use Enzymes to prevent the bug from forming in the first place 

Flor de Caña sponsors the Panama  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

Possible new Award category: 

Best Named Puffy Cloud Award

Howler Monkey

SY DA MMAD CAT 🇺🇸 Andrea & Danny – Lagoon 42’

Nominate yourself, a crew member, or another boat   

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

Share the adventure

6) PANAMA POSSE GATHERINGS

BIJOU & BISOU meet up in Tenacatita, Mexico 🇲🇽

(1) PANAMA POSSE 

BELIZE YACHT FEST 

APRIL 6 2024

PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB

🇧🇿 BELIZE

FOR RESERVATIONS CONTACT: 

 

 

Caroline Imfeld and Beat Rettich

T: +501 639 8555

Whatsapp   +41 78 605 5181

(2) PANAMA POSSE AWARDSFUN ACTIVITIES, GOLF, POOL, DJ LOUNGE, + MARINE EXPO 

SAT. MAY 11 '24 BUENAVENTURA MARINA  🇵🇦  PANAMA

This is a very exclusive signature event in the Hamptons of Panama.
The upscale resort Buenaventura is just 80 minutes west of Panama City
and is one of the most charming and reserved places on the Pacific coast
of Panama.
Only 60 nm from the Las Perlas.

FOR RESERVATIONS CONTACT:

Cesar - Marina Manager
cesar@bv-marina.com 
Tel: +507-6616-7531  

7) SY SERENITY CAREENING 

AT ISLA JESUSITA  🇨🇷  COSTA RICA

The tide is out and SY SERENITY is high and dry.

Mark and Kathryn on SY SERENITY carefully planned and careened their vessel earlier this week.

Report:

6h45 min for hull exposure. Keels exposed (dry land) about 4 hours. 

Touchdown” was 07:45. Refloating at 16:45. Very decent window.

Our “landing spot” elevation was 2.7 feet.

This was the tidal chart on SERENITY'S Careening day

Furry crew, Lapa, was trying to help by rolling in the muddy sand.

SY SERENITY 🇺🇸 Mark & Kathryn – Antares 44′

Thank you for Sharing your Adventures on the water !

 8) SHARING YOUR ADVENTURES  
is the heart and soul of the Panama 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 Panama Posse. 

Kristine cooling down with the dinghy in the Perlas, Panama 🇵🇦 

Recent report from SY COURAGE :

Our
Panama Canal Northern transit is done! We have experienced a manmade
marvel and know what it feels like to be on a six-lock water escalator
with a yacht. This has been an incredible experience - the engineering
of it all over 100 years ago boggles the mind; the professionalism of
all the lock workers and hired crew and pilot; the test of close-quarter
maneuvers required at all times to stay where you need to be; nesting
and un-nesting in really strong currents and narrow passages which test
your skills and nerves; the delicious food of breakfast burritos, ham
& cheese sandwiches, chips and salsa, and a lasagna, garlic bread
and salad Kristine served made the entire passage a culinary
extravaganza; and the elation of completing a dream passage is now woven
into our tapestry called life. Truly that was a great day! And,
we thank Erick Galvez for his stewardship and excellent instructions,
equipment rentals and line handlers. Everything progressed where, when,
and how as Erick said it would...

9) POSSE PERK: 

SHARING INTEL ON CHART ACCURACY
  

Blue line drawn in over chart showing large actual reef extension to be cautious of.

SY FRENCH KISSING LIFE  Trip Report:

FYI all, here at the eastern end of San Blas, (Panama) just
off village of Ustupo, the Navionics charts are completely off
regarding the reef indicated above. If passing this way, take note.

As
we were approaching the supposed safe area indicated on the chart to
continue moving out and away from shore, northbound, we could see
breaking waves in a miles long line. Thought we were in the wrong place
initially, but eventually figured out that it is simply unmarked. The
reef that is indicated on Navionics probably extends at about 2 miles
farther west. Submerged at all times, but in high seas, it creates a
surf line.

Also, the Bauhaus waypoints have been spot on throughout this section of coast.

SY FRENCH KISSING LIFE 🇺🇸 Tess&John – Bavaria 45’

10) MARINA CHIAPAS, MEXICO 🇲🇽

 SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

14° 41.67′ N 092° 25.185′ W

DISCOUNTS AT THE MARINA CHIAPAS FOR PARTICIPATING VESSELS

7 days – 1 day free

2 weeks – 2 days free

three weeks monthly fee

Night use of the barbecue area and luck for the participating boats, if

free use of the pool

a little party when we have 10 boats as a happy hour in the pool

CONTACT

Tel: +52 962.111.82.91

Tel: +52 962.620.40.38

EMAIL: memogarcia@marinachiapas.com.mx

EMAIL: rmarichal@marinachiapas.com.mx

Marina Manager, Memo, (left) and office manager, Rolf (right)

Yachts
and sailboats of more than twenty countries have gone through Marina
Chiapas to feed and enjoy the surrounding area which makes this enclave a
mosaic of interesting characters from anywhere in the world. 

Marina
Chiapas has a water space for 70 large draft vessels and drydock with
space for 200.  Many sailors leave their vessels in Marina Chiapas
storage shelter during the hurricane season where they have a range of
services for maintenance.

Marina
Chiapas is located at the southernmost port in Mexico.  It is a
great location from which to explore the beautiful state of Chiapas.
Past Posse Members created this great guidebook to the birds one
can see while visiting Chiapas.  

PANAMA POSSE SUMMER SPECIAL 

JULY - OCTOBER for vessels  up to 60 feet 

$ 350 for mono-hulls x month
$ 400 for catamarans x month

11) WATER MAKER MEMBRANE CARE

Presently
Panama Posse members are well in the middle of their cruising 'season'
Regular use and maintenance of all our onboard systems is a big
part of life afloat.  Rich Boren of Cruise RO watermakers recently
shared an article about watermakers maintenance.  In it he
describes the typical lifespan of RO Membranes and what 'bad practices'
to avoid when living aboard and desalinizing water as a standard
practice aboard.  Sharing here to spread the wisdom from his
experience:

The
RO Membranes have a realistic lifespan of 5-7yrs.  The Membranes
are rated for 24Hours/Day 365Days/Year, so you will never wear a
membrane out early from over-using it.  In our experience the
reason membranes fail early is from what we call, CDT or "Client
Destructive Testing"...🤐

CDT consists of things like:

1. Letting the water maker sit for the off season without proper system storage reagents inside.

2.
Not keeping a Fresh Activated Carbon filter in your freshwater
flush loop and allowing Chlorine to oxidize and destroy the membrane.
What is the definition of "Fresh"?  Change it every 6
calendar months from the day it first gets wet...not 6 months of use,
but from the day it gets wet.

3.
Too long of intervals between running or fresh water flushing when out
cruising resulting in your product water getting "rotten egg smelly".
Doing this one time won't destroy the membrane, but that smell is
from rotting/dead animals in your water maker giving off hydrogen
sulfide gas.  Every time you do it, you are taking months away from
your Membrane life.

4.
Freeze Damage when the water maker is left in a freezing environment
without proper protection by using Propylene Glycol as a Preservative
and Winterizing agent.  (Another solution is to never keep your
boat where it freezes...stay in the warm Tropics my friends!

Cheers

From Rich Boren. Cruise RO 

12) GOOD NAUTICAL: 

ISLA DEL TIGRE  🇭🇳  HONDURAS

in Gulfo Fonseca

Isla
Tigre is a Honduran island in Gulfo Fonseca.  This anchorage can
be used as a Papagayo anchorage sheltered from chop behind El Tigre and
small rock islands. Tuck in as far as your draft will allow. The passage
between El Tigre and the rocks is shoal and dries at low water.

https://goodnautical.com/honduras/anchorage/isla-del-tigre-w-playa-grande

Approach to Isla el Tigre a truly volcanic  island

 Anchorage ⚓ 13° 178 N -87° 38 W  10.00 ft 3.00 m 

13) LINTON BAY MARINA 🇵🇦 

SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

09° 36.8566′ N   079° 34.8383′ W

https://panamaposse.com/linton-bay-marina

GREETINGS ALL Panama Posse MEMEBERS !

It
is our pleasure to have our beautiful marina as station for all sea
adventurers. Located in Puerto Lindo, Colon, Panama, we have a
strategical geographical position for hurricanes safe haven and last
stop heading to or from the San Blas Islands.

Our
Marina offers 80+ slips with 7+ moorings with enough depth for shafts
up to 5 meters, fuel station, restaurants, 24 hr. security, dry storage
and the biggest Travel Lift in Panama with a capacity of hauling out up
to 160 tons!

We
will give all Panama Posse members a discount of 15% for daily and
weekly rates in our slips as well as a 30% discount in haul outs and
work areas in our yard. Just remember to mention your membership when
arriving.

Excited to meet all voyagers,

Brian Davis

brian@lintonbaymarina.com

Kenisha

Kenisha@lintonbaymarina.com

OFFICE CONTACT Kenisha. +507 6833-7211

14) LATITUDES AND ATTITUDES

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!
You could say it’s like a gorgeous buffet just waiting for you to dive
in! Access and download each digital issue now for only $14.99/year.

All subscribers receive:

10% off at the Lats & Atts Store

Download the digital magazine for easy offline access!

Invitation to Cruisers Parties

PANAMA POSSE HAS A SPECIAL SUBSCRIPTION DEAL >> 
TO GET YOUR DEAL FOLLOW THIS LINK >>

“The Journey is the Destination”

15) MEET THE FLEET ⛵ SY PINTA

Maarten, Marianne, Daniel (11), & Matias (9)

Hi,
we’re Maarten, Marianne, Daniel (11) and Matias (9), on board sv Pinta.
We’re a Dutch family, sailing towards the Netherlands, where we aim to
arrive coming summer. We (Maarten and Marianne) left the Netherlands in
2011 with Pinta, a steel van de Stadt Caribbean 40. We sailed south
towards Argentina and Chile and we thoroughly enjoyed Tierra del Fuego
and Patagonia. In spring 2013 Daniel was born in Valdivia, Chile. Once
he was big enough and we felt comfortable sailing again, we went onto
the Pacific. From Juan Fernandez to Easter Island, the Marquesas and the
Tuamotus, we went up to Hawaii and then made landfall again in Sitka,
Alaska. We slowly sailed down along the coast towards Vancouver Island,
as by that time our second son, Matias was on the way. He was born in
Victoria, Canada at the end of 2014.

As we didn’t feel like sailing many long distances with two small
children at that time, we decided to stop for a while. We found work
teaching at an International school in Armenia, so we left the boat on
Vancouver Island and went there. After five fantastic years in Armenia,
we changed to a similar school in Northern Italy and stayed for three
years.

With
the boys growing up, but before high school age, we felt it was a good
time to come back to the boat and take a year together with the four of
us and sail back to the Netherlands. Last fall, we sailed down the west
coast of North America towards Panama and having just transited the
canal, we feel we are about halfway home. In the coming months, we’ll
make our way north in the Caribbean to cross the Atlantic in May.

We
have had a wonderful trip so far. Being on the boat with the four of
us, spending time together, exploring, swimming, sailing, but also doing
chores and school together feels really good. Simultaneously, it also
feels really good to sail home. It is time for us the settle, stay in
one place for a while and have the boys enjoy school, friends ,and
family throughout their teenage years. At least, that’s the plan for
now…

SY PINTA 🇳🇱 Maarten & Marianne & Daniel & Matias - Van de Stadt Caribbean 40′

16) POSSE SWAG

 

 

17)  BAHIA EL SOL 🇸🇻 EL SALVADOR 
🚫
DO NOT ENTER UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

One
of the Panama Posse vessels on a Thursday's bar entry hit the bottom -
broke of it's keel and sunk following the pilot vessel into the estuary -
this is a devastating loss for Mark and we will do everything to
support him -

DO NOT ENTER THE ESTUARY 
UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
🚫

THE RISKS ARE  TOO HIGH !!!
YOU CAN LOOSE YOUR VESSEL 

UNTIL THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE MET 

🚫 DO NOT ENTER

• AN ACCIDENT REPORT 
• DREDGING AND RE-DREDGING SCHEDULES
• WRITTEN PILOT VESSEL PROCEDURES 
• CHANNEL MARKERS 
• VALIDATED AND UPDATED  GPS COORDINATES 
• CLEAR ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES 
• STANDARDIZATION & CONSISTENCY 
• KNOW DEPTH THROUGHOUT THE ENTRANCE 
• EMERGENCY PROCEDURES
• COMMUNICATIONS PROTOCOL

 

DO NOT ENTER THE ESTUARY 
🚫

UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE

ALERT 

 SITUATIONAL AWARENESS FOR LAND TRIPS

1. KNOW THE SAFETY CONTEXT OF PLACES YOU PLAN TO CRUISE 

• Familiarize yourself with the Caribbean Safety Network
• Talk with fellow posse members that have gone places you plan to go.
• Be open minded, courteous and respectful of locals.
• Follow your gut.  Go where and when you feel safe.

2. KNOW REPATRIATION LAWS IN THE COUNTRIES YOU PLAN TO CRUISE TO WHEN TAKING CREW ACROSS INTERNATIONAL BORDERS 

• different countries have different rules.  
• know the rules where you are going
• long
  passages can strengthen crew relations...they can also ruin crew
  relations.  Be very considerate when bringing on crew and crossing
  international borders.

 3. SITUATIONAL AWARENESS FOR LANDTRIPS

 In
a dynamic situation, situational awareness is embedded in a loop where
the environment affects SA and decisions made under a particular level
of SA affect the environment

•     Learn to Predict Events
•     Identify Elements Around You
•     Trust Your Feelings
•     Limit Situational Overload
•     Avoid Complacency
•     Be Aware of Time
•     Begin to Evaluate and Understand Situations
•     Actively Prevent Fatigue

For more on this topic please head to

https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/managing-stress-arousal-for-optimal-performance-a-guide-to-the-warrior-color-code/

4)  “Just because you're paranoid doesn't mean they aren't after you.” 

Make 4 left turns to see if you are being followed 
( unless you ar looking for a parking spot )  

The
theory behind this is that if you make 4 turns then you are
successfully completing a circle from your original starting point. If
the person/car is still behind you after you have made a circle, you are
most likely being followed.

In that case make your way to the nearest 5 star hotel and ask to speak with the hotels security officer 

18)  MUST SEE: 

COCOS ISLAND NATIONAL PARK, COSTA RICA  🇨🇷 

In
December 2021 Costa Rican President, Carlos Alvarado, signed a decree
expanding the Cocos Island National Park, increasing the fully protected
area in their Pacific waters by almost 53,000 square kilometers. 

Cocos
Island National Park, located 550 km off the Pacific coast of Costa
Rica, is the only island in the tropical eastern Pacific with a tropical
rainforest. Its position as the first point of contact with the
northern equatorial counter-current, and the myriad interactions between
the island and the surrounding marine ecosystem, make the area an ideal
laboratory for the study of biological processes. The underwater world
of the national park has become famous due to the attraction it holds
for divers, who rate it as one of the best places in the world to view
large pelagic species such as sharks, rays, tuna and dolphins.

The
Committee inscribed Cocos Island National Park under natural criteria
and  because of the critical habitats the site provides for marine
wildlife including large pelagic species, especially sharks.

There are four main bays to explore. 

The island rises steeply out of the ocean with lush and diverse vegetation.

Coco Island Anchorage

The underwater world is a major attraction at Isla Cocos

Swimming Turtle in Costa Rica's Galapagos

Fish are protected around Isla Cocos

Isla
Coco was not always so protected.  The island is said to have been
discovered by a Spanish pilot, Joan Cabezas, in 1526. Thanks to its
palm trees and plentiful drinking water, this oceanic island became very
well known. During the 17th and 18th centuries, it served as an
excellent hide-away for the pirates who flourished along the Pacific
coast of Spanish America.  Supposedly there are at least three
buried treasures on the island.  Fishing and extracting activities
are banned at Isla Cocos so the fabled treasures remain....or do they?

https://goodnautical.com/costa-rica/point-interest/cocos-island-national-park

 

19)  75+ PANAMA POSSE MARINA SPONSORS 

🇺🇸 Safe Harbor South Bay – Chula Vista, USA

🇺🇸 Safe Harbor Ventura Isle -  Ventura, USA

🇲🇽 Cruise Port Village - 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  

🇨🇷 Banana Bay Marina – Costa Rica  

🇪🇨 Marina Puerto Amistad – Ecuador  

🇵🇦 Buenaventura Marina – Panama 

🇵🇦 PANAMA POSSE PACIFIC HQ Vista Mar Marina – Panama 

🇵🇦 Shelter Bay Marina – Panama  

🇵🇦 Bocas Marina – Panama 

🇵🇦 Linton Bay Marina – Panama 

🇵🇦 La Playita Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Flamenco Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Solarte  Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Turtle Cay Marina – Panama

🇨🇴 ClubNautico Cartagena – Colombia 

🇨🇴 Club de Pesca Marina Cartagena – Colombia 

🇨🇴 Manzanillo Marina Club – 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 

🇧🇿 Placencia Yacht Club – 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 

PIER SIXTY-SIX MARINA 🇺🇸 Ft. Lauderdale, Florida  USA

26°06.1666′ N 080°07.0033′ W

The impressive Ft. Lauderdale billion dollars worth of boats  

20)  PANAMA POSSE SPONSORS 

• BELIZE TOURISM
• CHRIS PARKER - MARINE WEATHER CENTER
• DELTA MIKE MARINE SUPPLY PANAMA
• DOWNWIND MARINE
• FLOR DE CAÑA
• HERTZ RENTAL CARS  MEXICO
• HOME DEPOT PRO MEXICO
• LATITUDES AND ATTITUDES  
• PANAMA YACHT BROKER
• PREDICT WIND
• SAFE HARBOR SOUTH BAY MARINA EVENT CENTER  
• SAN DIEGO MARINE EXCHANGE
• SEVENSTAR YACHT TRANSPORT
• WAYPOINT YACHT SERVICES
• WESTMARINE PRO
• YACHT AGENTS GALAPAGOS  
   

SAFE HARBOR SOUTH BAY MARINE CENTER 

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) WAYPOINT YACHT SERVICES

“Our
vision is to provide a top tier service to our customers while covering
every potential need they may have when approaching shore. 

Small
yachts (up to 38.1 meters LOA) are expected to experience substantial
delays, and in the meantime, we will be able and willing to help you
mitigate this impact and serve you.

 Contact us today through panama@waypointyacht.com

Thanks and best regards,

Marcus Santana

General Manager

Marcus.Santana@waypointyacht.com

 

International Business Park
Building 3855, office 201
Panama Pacifico / Panama

 

Phone: +507-310 9891 ext.206

AOH: +507-310 9892 (24/7)

Mob: +507 6427-8099

23) STRATEGIC PARTNERS

 

SSCA

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

24) MORE POSSE NEWS FROM 
AROUND THE OCEANS

ATLANTIC POSSE  
SIGN UP NOW

Madeira Natural Park 🇵🇹  Madeira 

SIGN UP WITH THE 
 ATLANTIC POSSE >>

Atlantic Posse '24

Atlantic Posse Routes
voyage between the  Mediterranean  and  the Caribbean 

25) SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE SEASON 4 

The Amazing 🇨🇰  Cook Islands just a quick sail west from French Polynesia 

South Pacific Posse burgees available now in Panama & soon in FP 

The impressive Volcanic Island formations in the South Pacific  

Nawi Island Event August 31 2024 - come party and mingle with the Cruising Fleet 

WE OPERATE UNDER INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW

YOUR VESSEL · YOUR CREW · YOUR RESPONSIBILITY 

 OUR MISSION

• Make traveling for yacht owners easier, transparent and better informed
• Generate group buying power with discounts in marinas and with service providers
• Pass on relevant information to help fellow participants in a timely manner without personal opinions
• Identify, document and reduce risks
• Allow for flexibility and reduce pressures due to schedules

UNSUBSCRIBE

 

PANAMA POSSE 
FLEET UPDATE 

MARCH 3, 2024

"What is the one thing that you’d never be able to sell in the market? Common sense! Those who have it wouldn’t need to buy it. Those who don’t have it wouldn’t know what to do with it.” 

Jimmy Cornell ― 200,000 Miles: A Life of Adventure

TOP NEWS  

• Beautiful Sky, Fresh Caught Fish and Friends: Pretty Much says it all
• Upcoming Panama Posse Events  
• Snowbird Moon 🌕 Photos from Along the Route 🇲🇽  🇨🇷  🇵🇦  
• Season 7 Award Entries: Picture of the Year & Most Unwanted Guest
• Sailing and Cruising Legend Jimmy Cornell surveys the Global Yachting Status
• Posse Perk: Team sailing the Guatemalan Coast 🇬🇹
• The Harpy Eagle: the National Bird of Panama 🇵🇦
• Good Nautical: Urraca Island AKA Monkey Island, Panama 🇵🇦
• Meet the Fleet: SV ZORBA
• Safety Alert: Have a Plan and Ways to Harden your Vessel Entry Points
• BAHAMAS and BEYOND CORRUPTION MAP 
• MUST SEE: Corcovado National Park, Costa Rica 🇨🇷
• News from Other Oceans

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

268 Yachts are signed up 
 From 23 Ensigns 

1)  PICTURES OF THE WEEK

BEAUTIFUL SKY, FRESH FISH, AND FRIENDS...

PRETTY MUCH SAYS IT ALL

Fluffy cloud looking like a crocodile over Golfito, Costa Rica 🇨🇷 

(and there are crocs here!)

SY BOUNDLESS   🇺🇸   Daniel & Naiby - Shannon 43′

Entry into biggest fish caught 

Catching Keepers in Mexican Waters. 🇲🇽 

SY VOYAGER 🇺🇸 Ed & Liz - Hylas 54'

Cruising at it's best!

Glenn
on C-Ya, Ed and Steve from Voyager and Robin and Tad from Bisou. Ed
supplied the freshly caught mahi mahi ( see photo above), Tad grilled
the fish and Robin prepared salad, focaccia and chocolate cake! All
washed down with a Chilean Malbec!

SY BISOU 🇦🇺 Robin and Tad - Fountaine Pajot 44′

SY C-YA 🇺🇸  Glenn – Island Packet 38.8’

2) JOIN THIS NEXT OCEAN POSSE EVENT IN BELIZE

PANAMA POSSE 🇧🇿 BELIZE YACHT FEST 

@ PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB

Saturday April 6, 2024

16:00 – 21:30

16° 30.471’N 088° 21.7216′ W

PANAMA POSSE 🇧🇿 BELIZE YACHT FEST 
@ PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB

BELIZE PLACENCIA YACHT FEST 🇧🇿 Placencia Yacht Club

Saturday April 6, 2024

16:00 – 21:30

Placencia Yacht Club

16° 30.471’N 088° 21.7216′ W

>> RSVP HERE <<

https://oceanposse.com/events/belize-placencia-yacht-fest/

CONTACT

 Beat,  Caroline, dogs & Heyson Garcia - 
YES PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB IS UBER DOG FRIENDLY 

We,
Caroline Imfeld and Beat Rettich are running this place since January
2021. We moved from Switzerland to Belize in 2019 and found this
treasure while looking for a dock for our yacht.

Simplicity on a high level is our aim and to make our guests happy.
Bring cash - yacht club does not accept credit cards 

 FOR RESERVATIONS AND MOORINGS @ PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB

info@clearwaterexploring.com

www.placencia-yacht-club.com

T: +501 639 8555

Whatsapp   +41 78 605 5181

VHF 68

SAFE APPROACH 

SAVE APPROACH   @ 16° 29.9333′ N 088° 20.9266' W

3) FULL SNOWBIRD MOON RISING 

OVER CENTRAL AMERICA THIS WEEK

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

Clear sky over Isla Isabel, Mexico 🇲🇽 

SV ZORBA 🇲🇭 Tomer &Limor – Tayana 48’

Moonrise over Herradura, Costa Rica 🇨🇷

MY ROLLING THUNDER 🇺🇸 Bruce, Janis & Rosa – Horizon 42’

Moon over Panama Bay  🇵🇦  

SY COURAGE 🇺🇸 John & Kristine – Tartan 4100

4) SEASON 7 AWARD NOMINATIONS:

TWO NEW ENTRIES FOR ONE POSSE VESSEL

FIRST: PICTURE OF THE SEASON

Morning on the Guatemalan coast 🇬🇹 

SECOND: MOST UNWELCOME VISITOR

Poor guy flew into our window last night then walked around the deck a bit dazed for a while. 🇸🇻 

The ingrate

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

ANNUAL PANAMA POSSE AWARDS:

• 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)
• FLUFFY CLOUD AWARD 
• 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) PANAMA POSSE EVENTS 

Shore excursion planning from the cockpit of SV PAUSE

(1) PANAMA POSSE 

BELIZE YACHT FEST 

APRIL 6 2024

PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB

🇧🇿 BELIZE

FOR RESERVATIONS CONTACT: 

 

 

Caroline Imfeld and Beat Rettich

T: +501 639 8555

Whatsapp   +41 78 605 5181

(2) PANAMA POSSE AWARDSFUN ACTIVITIES, GOLF, POOL, DJ LOUNGE, + MARINE EXPO 

SAT. MAY 11 '24 BUENAVENTURA MARINA  🇵🇦  PANAMA

This is a very exclusive signature event in the Hamptons of Panama.
The upscale resort Buenaventura is just 80 minutes west of Panama City
and is one of the most charming and reserved places on the Pacific coast
of Panama.
Only 60 nm from the Las Perlas.

FOR RESERVATIONS CONTACT:

Cesar - Marina Manager
cesar@bv-marina.com 
Tel: +507-6616-7531  

6) SAILING AND CRUISING LEGEND JIMMY CORNELL

SURVEYS THE GLOBAL MOVEMENT OF CRUISING BOATS

Sailboat turning off the ocean and into into Zihuatenejo Bay, Mexico 🇲🇽 at sunset.

Photo by Panama Posse member SV Lost Pearl

Cruising
World Magazine just published an interesting article by Jimmy Cornell
about the global movement of cruising vessels.  Jimmy Cornell has a
passion for data.  He has conducted multiple surveys for almost 40
years to get a sense of how many boats are out cruising, where boats
are cruising, and what kinds of boats are cruising.

Some
may find aspects of his report surprising, others may find his report
exactly as expected.  Nonetheless, the numbers are interesting to
consider.  He looks at hotspots in three different Oceans: the
Atlantic, the Pacific, and the Indian.  He shares numbers of boats
that checked into various hotspots in 2022 as compared to 2010 and 2016.

In
the Pacific Ocean one of the Cornell's datapoints is the number of
boats going through the Panama Canal from the north and the south.
Many Panama Posse boats are among the boats going through the
Canal this season.  SV COURAGE will be one of the northbound boats in the Panama Canal this season.  For now they are enjoying sailing in Panama Bay.

  Close haul toward Archipelago Las Perlas Panama going 6.8 knots in 12 knots of wind over calm seas.  

Jimmy
Cornell has been a remarkable influence and inspiration in the
Bluewater Cruising world for decades.  He has published over a
dozen boos on the subject, circumnavigated the globe multiple times, and
inspired countless people to taste the salt in the air and the freedom
on the water themselves.  

In
a conversation with Helen Fretter in 2021, Jimmy shared a bit more
about the freedom that he found on the ocean and what it means to him:

“I
grew up behind the Iron Curtain under a dictatorship in a communist
regime, my father died in prison as a political prisoner, when I was 19 I
tried to escape but I was shot. I couldn’t get out of the country.

“What
is liberty? What is freedom? We really only know what it is when we
lose it. Once you’ve tasted freedom – and I hadn’t tasted freedom when I
was young – but once I had, I realized that a career is not what
matters in life. In life what matters is to take advantage of that hard
won freedom. And it’s what I’ve done for the rest of my life.

“I’ve
given up things, but I don’t care because I always wanted to be free to
do whatever I wanted. I did not want to take freedom for granted.”

In 1975 Jimmy Cornell set out on a 6 year blue water adventure with his wife and two kids aboard their vessel SV ADVENTURA.
He was a reporter for the BBC World Service and shared his
observations with the world over the course of their adventures.

Jimmy Cornell and his son Ivan taking a noonsight (circa 1975?)

Jimmy Cornell's various global voyages

To
this day, Jimmy Cornell says the very best cruising was when his entire
family was aboard.  Together they could all be themselves.
When he and his family set sail in the 70’s there were far few
cruising yachts much less cruising families.  In his recently
published Cruising World article he compares the data from his recent
survey of cruising boats to previous surveys.  The amount of
cruising families is among the data points he looks at across his
surveys.  

Cruising
has changed and is changing.  The same can be said about access to
information and the weather.  Jimmy is a data collector and
approaches the topic of 'change' with numbers and facts.  

https://www.cruisingworld.com/destinations/global-movement-cruising-boats/

the bible or quintessential dream board  for cruising sailors  
WORLD CRUISING ROUTES 

 7) YOUR WANDERING SOUL
lies at the heart of the Panama 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 Panama Posse. 

SY YO-D-YO at sunset in Starfish beach, Panama 🇵🇦 

Thank you for Sharing your Adventures on the water !

8) POSSE PERK: 
🎁

HAVING A TEAM
  

Mini Power Posse having piña colada’s on MV Muirgen with Summer Breeze and Splinters. 🇲🇽 🇸🇻  🇬🇹 

Eric and Kim about MV SPLINTERS reports on the Posse perk of Having a Team:

We
had an easy trip and good seas from Chiapas to El Salvador…and an
exciting but nice ride into the bay. While in Guatemala we met many Long
Line pangas…one came close to say hello and stayed by our side videoing
and taking pics. Then left and came back again for several more
minutes. We were traveling with Muirgen, Summer Breeze and Tidings of
Joy and we were so thankful for the caravan support. Nothing happened
but an exchange of smiles and photos, but was great to have boats on the
radio that were ready to come to our aid if needed! Thank you Panama
Posse team for making this lifestyle a lot more safe and comfortable.-

Visiting panga off the coast of Guatemala 🇬🇹 

MV SPLINTERS 🇺🇸 Eric & Kim - American Marine Grand Banks 42′

9) 🇲🇽 MARINA Y CLUB DE YATES ISLA CORTÉS 
SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

Nice to greet you, and thank you for contacting us.

We will gladly assist the Panama Posse  at the Marina & Club de Yates Isla Cortés.

Responding to your email we can give you a 10% discount on our rate,

CONTACT

Marina y Club de Yates Isla Cortés

Altata Navolato, Sinaloa

+52 667 324 0446

comercialmcortes@gmail.com

Restaurant phone:+52 (672) 122 9908

North
from Mazatlan and only 45 minutes from Culiacán, Sinaloa´s Capital, you
can find a heavenly landscape with dunes and beautiful beaches bathed
by Mar de Cortés called Bahía de Altata.

AMENITIES

• 40 spaces to house boats up to 150 feet
• Draft of 2.3 meters
• Electricity of 50 and 30 amps
• Water
• Restaurant
• Bar
• Bathrooms
• Showers
• Wi fi.

75 Marinas sponsor the Panama Posse 

10) THE HARPY EAGLE:

THE NATIONAL BIRD OF PANAMA  🇵🇦

by Russell Descheemaeker, age 13

The
Harpy Eagle is a majestic and powerful bird.  Its legs are as big
as a human wrist.  The female is bigger than the male and its claws
are as big as a grizzly bear's claws.  A harpy eagle once knocked a
BBC cameraman unconscious.  It would have killed him if not for
the bulletproof vest he had on.  

They
are very smart hunters.  For example, the harpy eagle will reveal
itself to monkeys to see how the monkeys responds.  If the monkey
is defending a pack, the monkeys will group up and taunt the harpy to
come closer so that they can rip the eagle apart together.   The
wiser Harpy eagle with fly away to find easier food.  If the
monkey runs in terror the eagle will pursue it's prey and attack.  

The
harpy eagles' range is from Peru to Mexico.  However, due to
deforestation they are now only seen in South America and Panama.
They live near and around jungles and they make their nest in the
tallest tree in their area.  Their range from their nest is 10km.
They patrol this range mercilessly.  They mate fore life and
do not share their range with any other harpy eagles...if they can help
it.

SV WHIRLWIND 🇺🇸 Mike, Maurisa, Russell & Josea - Alajuela 48'

Watch the Harpy Eagle in 4 k  >>

11) GOOD NAUTICAL: 

🇵🇦 URRACA ISLAND – MONKEY REFUGE – ECO RESORT – PANAMA 🇵🇦 

Set
out at sea, Urraca is a mangrove island with no actual land, where
every structure has been built on stilts over the water.  The
island is located in the most pristine and secluded area of the Bocas
del Toro archipelago, on the northern Caribbean coast of Panama, and is
accessible via a 35 minute boat ride from Isla Colon.

https://goodnautical.com/panama/point-interest/monkey-islands 

The
island is 100% powered by solar panels and solar lights. The eco-resort
collects their freshwater resources through a rain catchment system. To
avoid the use of plastic only stainless steel straws are available, and
we provide guests with unlimited drinking water in reusable glass
bottles. To conserve our resources bedding and towels are changed upon
request.

Elevated walkways on the island

In
2013, Francine and Toutie moved to Urraca Private Island, where they
built a beautiful home among the mangroves.  They went on to build
Urraca Luxury Private Island with a love for nature. She wishes to share
her passion for the environment and the monkeys with those who come to
visit the island. She also wishes to give back to the land, and the
native Ngäbe by providing jobs for them and letting them be a part of
her dream.  Her dream is to live a simple life with nothing other
than her beloved monkeys, a plate of fresh lobster, and a cold glass of
rum.

Over
the years, Francine has adopted additional monkeys who were either
abandoned by their pet owners, or found orphaned due to habitat loss or
hunting in the wild. Now, all these monkeys belong to a troop where they
can socialize, groom, and play with other monkeys every day.

Francine with one of the local monkeys.

12) OCEAN WORLD MARINA 🇩🇴 
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

19° 49.655′  N 070°43.9833′ W 

https://panamaposse.com/marina-puesta-del-sol-nicaragua

We are excited to welcome the Panama Posse to the Dominican Republic.

Enjoy our marina, services and amenities with our special welcome rates.

 

 

Jorge M. Fernandez

Director de Operaciones

Ocean World Marina

 

www.oceanworldmarina.com

info@oceanworldmarina.com

Mobile.: 809-669-7660                        

Tel.:       809-970-3373  Ext. 4004

Fax:       809-970-7987

Ocean
World is located on Cofresi beach, near town of Puerto Plata. With an
abundance of hotel rooms and recreation opportunities that include,
golf, fishing, scuba diving, horseback riding, and even white water
rafting, Puerto Plata is already celebrated as an affordable Caribbean
vacation playground. Puerto Plata’s airport (POP) is a 30 minute drive,
and has daily flights from Miami, NYC and cities in Europe. Ocean World
Marina, now the only full-service marina located between the heavily
traveled Florida/Bahamas area and the Puerto Rico/Eastern Caribbean
region.

The Bay from above

Colorful shops along the Beach of Puerto Plata 

Impressive breakwaters along Dominican Republics north coast 

13) MEET THE FLEET 

SV ZORBA 🧑🏼‍🤝‍🧑🏼 Limor & Tomer

We are Limor(48) & Tomer(51) from sailing yacht Zorba- Tayana 48DS 2007

We have  retired 7/2022(both pharmacists), and started cruising full time.

Limor
is what I call a reluctant sailor but loves this way of life....so we
keep on a ratio of 5% sailing time....the rest on anchor.

I am sailing for 30 years with plenty of pauses in between....

In my past I was a sailing instructor, a tugboat captain , a chase boat captain, a dredger cooperator and a delivery skipper.

Most of my experience is in the Mediterranean

Before
buying the Zorba (Tayana 48) we lived onboard an Oceanis 35 for 16
years...without sailing much, besides once in a while for a few
hours....

At
2015 we cruised 8 months on a gulfstar 50 from Key West up to the BVI's
(Bahamas, Puerto Rico, USVI, BVI) and back to Florida.

We
began at Alameda where we found the boat, and after cruising the Baja
& the Sea Of Cortez, we are now on our way South⛵️ the plan is a
long stay at Costa Rica

2025 we plan sailing south to Panama and probably cross East to the Caribbean side.

ZORBA on the hook.

View from the cockpit of ZORBA

SV ZORBA 🇲🇭 Tomer &Limor – Tayana 48’

14) POSSE SWAG

 

 

15)  SAFETY ALERT:

Have a Plan 
🥷🏻
How to Harden Your Vessel's Access points

Stainless Steel Bars across over hatch entries

This
past week there have been alarming and heartbreaking incidents on both
ends of the Panama Posse route.  It is with deep sadness that we
learn of mariners being accosted and others disappearing for the moment
without resolution.

Both incidents and others in between are stark reminders that it is important to have an emergency plan and consider how to harden access points to you vessel.  There will be many different plans and that's fine...just having one is the most important part.

Below is a compilation of security systems that different mariners employ to keep their vessel and crew safe at anchor.  

PLEASE EMAIL US YOUR BEST PRACTICES TO SAFEGUARD ENTRY TO YOUR VESSEL editor@panamaposse.com

Deny entry to your vessel’s companion way with removable stainless steel bars

Motion Sensor Detects and records  any Human Movement day and night – and stores it in the cloud for later review 

Remote keychain for Audible alarms and sirens 

LED STROBE LIGHTS FOR YACHTS

LED Marine Flood Lights & Spreader Lights

• A proper 12 Volt ⚡
  fence charger hooked up to the house bank and rigged across yacht
  Yacht Stanchions will create an electrifying welcome at night 

Dogs that bark ( and wake up ) can be a deterrent.

take pictures of every small local vessels near your vessels – use a  flash so they know you are taking pictures of them …

Tack Mat with Spikes  Deterrent Outdoor  makes transom boarding painful –

just ask Joshua Slocum 

NERF tactical laser attachment – paintball filled with chlorine – maybe spray paint NERF black

Bear spray GEL (which is more targeted than spray) part of the  boats security toolkit - not just in Alaska.

AIR HORNS draw attention to problems

 Watch a video online at https://www.piratelights.com/

BAHAMAS & BEYOND 
PORT  CORRUPTION REPORTS     

We are only starting to scratch the surface of corruption in the Bahamas - please review the map 

38+ CORRUPTION REPORTS 🇧🇸  BAHAMAS 

"Great
Inagua 2x-Mar-2x 1x:1x We arrived march 2x from DR and launched our
dinghy at 1 PM (I have a photo because the water was amazing).  We
tied up in the harbour and walked to the C&I offices in 2 separate
locations.  Approximately a 20 min walk.  A fellow cruiser who
had cleared in at this location told me to bring $80 in cash because
extra fees would be charged. We started with customs who charged us a $40
processing fee to be paid in cash only.  See receipt.  The
receipt looks official and even states a VAT is charged. Then we went to
immigration who charged us a $40 fee as well.  The receipt
states it’s an overtime fee, however we clearly arrived on a weekday at
approx 2 pm in the afternoon.   We finished both procedures by 3 pm
and were out of pocket $80 USD. Unfortunately the names of the officers
are not displaced on the receipts.  However the customs agent was
male and the immigration agent female."

EARLY WARNING 🇵🇦 PANAMA

in
presidential election years in Panama Port captains and Immigration
officials are notorious for adding new cash fees to zarpes and entry and
exit procedures - if you encounter them please report them here ->
yes you can report anonymously 
https://panamaposse.com/corruption#form

16)  MUST SEE: 

CORCOVADO NATIONAL PARK 🇨🇷  COSTA RICA – 

OSA PENINSULA – 

PANAMA POSSE CENTRAL AMERICAN ROUTE

Formation of the Peninsula

The
history of the Osa Peninsula is steeped in geological mystery.
The Osa Peninsula is part of the tectonic plates collision of the
land bridge between North and South America that rose above the surface
of the water. The land bridge between these continents is in large part
responsible for the incredibly high biodiversity found in this area. The
Corcovado National Park within the peninsula is 4,178 hectares (10,324
acres) and  park ranges in elevation from sea level to 745
meters 

(0
– 2,444 feet). The Corcovado Park exemplifies the tropical rain forest,
with a abundance of species, spectacular buttresses, large woody vines
and abundant growth and trees and contains the complete tropical insect
ecosystem from Mexico to Panama. It has 23 miles of rugged beaches with
dense rain forest dropping into the Pacific Ocean.

Corcovado National Park is a land and sea Park

HUMANS ARRIVE

Native
tribes arrived on Osa Peninsula as far back as 6,000 BC, and various
indigenous groups such as the Chiriquí and Borucas hunted in the area.

The
nearby Isla del Caño  has a history of being struck by lightning
more than any other place in Central America. This is thought by locals
to be because Caño Island was a Pre-Columbian cemetery and the land is
believed to be sacred. Exceptional round Diquis stones have left behind
by a long lost civilization and several Panama Posse Boats have been on
the island to explore and dive via operators from Drake Bay.  

EXPLORERS AND PIRATES ARRIVE

In
March 1579, during his circumnavigation of the globe in the Golden
Hind, Sir Francis Drake visited the shores of the Osa and eventually
based his entourage from his name sake bay Bahía Drake  a small bay
on the north side of the Osa Peninsula.  It was used by Drake
during his raids on the Spanish Main in the 16th century and the
location of one of the British pirate’s fabled hidden treasures.

The
Area is best approached via the Drake Bay Anchorage on the Panama Posse
route from the NW entrance to the park which provides a spectacular
anchorage and a coastal hiking trail towards the park. In addition
several tour operators which are also based in Drake Bay for exceptional
exploring.  Access to the Park can also be made from Gulfo Dulce
to the south.  

This
national park provides the exclusive habitat for Costa Rica’s shyest
and most endangered inhabitants. Baird’s Tapirs, Jaguars, Scarlet
Macaws, Harpy Eagles, Red-backed squirrel monkeys and White-lipped
Peccaries. It is wet, remote and rugged, but the trails are decent and
features several camping areas near ranger stations. It is a tropical
rain forest in the purest sense with waterfalls and pools.

Small waterfall in Corcovado National Park

Over
40 species of frogs including red-eyed tree, rain, glass, dink, and
poison arrow varieties, with dozens of snakes including a variety of
poisonous and Boas and the dreaded bushmaster, as well as 28 species of
lizards.

More
than 100 species of butterflies, 400 species of birds including 16
different hummingbirds and the largest number of scarlet macaws and ~
10,000 other insects species are native to the area

The
modern day history also pits the era of the gold-rush, banana
plantations, banana corporations, rebels and geopolitics against it each
other after 90+ years of human exploitation the jungle won and the park
constitutes the birthplace of Costa Rica’s ecotourism -> Follow the
link below to find out more about everything from the Park to it’s
controversial modern day history.

https://panamaposse.com/corcovado 

creatures abound

Blue Butterflies 

Jaguars live in Corcovado

Where the Jungle and Ocean meet.

 

17)  75+ PANAMA POSSE MARINA SPONSORS 

🇺🇸 Safe Harbor South Bay – Chula Vista, USA

🇺🇸 Safe Harbor Ventura Isle -  Ventura, USA

🇲🇽 Cruise Port Village - 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  

🇨🇷 Banana Bay Marina – Costa Rica  

🇪🇨 Marina Puerto Amistad – Ecuador  

🇵🇦 Buenaventura Marina – Panama 

🇵🇦 PANAMA POSSE PACIFIC HQ Vista Mar Marina – Panama 

🇵🇦 Shelter Bay Marina – Panama  

🇵🇦 Bocas Marina – Panama 

🇵🇦 Linton Bay Marina – Panama 

🇵🇦 La Playita Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Flamenco Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Solarte  Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Turtle Cay Marina – Panama

🇨🇴 ClubNautico Cartagena – Colombia 

🇨🇴 Club de Pesca Marina Cartagena – Colombia 

🇨🇴 Manzanillo Marina Club – 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 

🇧🇿 Placencia Yacht Club – 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 

South Bank Marina and Boatyard 🇹🇨  
TURKS AND CAICOS SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

 Located in the Provinciales 🇹🇨  TURKS AND CAICOS

Chalk
Sound National Park is nearly landlocked, yet a winding channel does
connect it to the ocean and Caicos Banks off the south of
Providenciales.

Because
of Chalk Sound’s protected status as a national park, powered
watercraft use is prohibited. The main attraction for most visitors is
sightseeing by road on the southern side, or as a kayaking and paddle
boarding destination.

18)  PANAMA POSSE SPONSORS 

• BELIZE TOURISM
• CHRIS PARKER - MARINE WEATHER CENTER
• DELTA MIKE MARINE SUPPLY PANAMA
• DOWNWIND MARINE
• FLOR DE CAÑA
• HERTZ RENTAL CARS  MEXICO
• HOME DEPOT PRO MEXICO
• LATITUDES AND ATTITUDES  
• PANAMA YACHT BROKER
• PREDICT WIND
• SAFE HARBOR SOUTH BAY MARINA EVENT CENTER  
• SAN DIEGO MARINE EXCHANGE
• SEVENSTAR YACHT TRANSPORT
• WAYPOINT YACHT SERVICES
• WESTMARINE PRO
• YACHT AGENTS GALAPAGOS  
   

San Diego Marine Exchange Sponsors the Panama Posse

19) 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

20) WAYPOINT YACHT SERVICES

“Our
vision is to provide a top tier service to our customers while covering
every potential need they may have when approaching shore. 

Small
yachts (up to 38.1 meters LOA) are expected to experience substantial
delays, and in the meantime, we will be able and willing to help you
mitigate this impact and serve you.

 Contact us today through panama@waypointyacht.com

21) STRATEGIC PARTNERS

 

SSCA

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

22) MORE POSSE NEWS FROM 
🧭
AROUND THE OCEANS

ATLANTIC POSSE  
SIGN UP NOW

Madeira Natural Park 🇵🇹  Madeira 

SIGN UP WITH THE 
 ATLANTIC POSSE >>

Atlantic Posse '24 Burgee

Atlantic Posse Routes
voyage between the  Mediterranean  and  the Caribbean 

23) SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE SEASON 4 

The Amazing 🇨🇰  Cook Islands just a quick sail west from French Polynesia 

South Pacific Posse burgees available now in Panama & soon in FP 

The welcoming and seafaring Polynesians in the Maquesas

Nawi Island Event August 31 2024 - come party and mingle with the Cruising Fleet 

WE OPERATE UNDER INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW

YOUR VESSEL · YOUR CREW · YOUR RESPONSIBILITY 

 OUR MISSION

• Make traveling for yacht owners easier, transparent and better informed.
• Generate group buying power with discounts in marinas and with service providers
• Pass on relevant information to help fellow participants in a timely manner without personal opinions
• Identify, document and reduce risks
• Allow for flexibility and reduce pressures due to schedules