FLEET UPDATE 2024-03-03

 

Panama Posse

 

San BLas Emoji Island

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

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

PANAMA POSSE Season 7

268 Yachts are signed up 
 From 23 Ensigns 

 

vessels's 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'

VOYAGER Ed
VOYAGER Liz
image

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’

BISOU Robin
BISOU Tad
CY-A Glenn

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

 

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 <<


RSVP NOW 

CONTACT

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

Beat & Caroline>

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 

SAFE APPROACH

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

Placnencia yacht club belize
 

BELIZE

 

3) FULL SNOWBIRD MOON RISING 

OVER CENTRAL AMERICA THIS WEEK

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

Panama Posse & Belize

Clear sky over Isla Isabel, Mexico 🇲🇽 

SV ZORBA 🇲🇭 Tomer &Limor – Tayana 48’


ZORBA - Tomer
ZORBA - Limor
ZORBA - Laura the Sheep
summerbreeze and cheistry

Moonrise over Herradura, Costa Rica 🇨🇷

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


ROLLING THUNDER
368220367
368220367

Moon over Panama Bay  🇵🇦  

SY COURAGE 🇺🇸 John & Kristine – Tartan 4100

COURAGECOURAGE

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′

tidings of joy
Tidings of Joy

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

Dreamer

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 

swim party

Shore excursion planning from the cockpit of SV PAUSE


PAUSEPAUSEPAUSEPAUSE

(1) PANAMA POSSE 

BELIZE YACHT FEST 

APRIL 6 2024

PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB

🇧🇿 BELIZE

 

SAT Feb 3, 2024 Sheleter BAY 🇵🇦 PANAMA

 

FOR RESERVATIONS CONTACT: 

 

Beat & Caroline
 

 

Caroline Imfeld and Beat Rettich

T: +501 639 8555

Whatsapp   +41 78 605 5181


RSVP FOR PYC
Shelter Bay

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

SAT. MAY 11 '24 BUENAVENTURA MARINA  🇵🇦  PANAMA

 

SAT May 10-12, 2024 BUENAVENTURA MARINA 🇵🇦 PANAMA YACHT FEST

 

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 Buenaventura Marina

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


RSVP FOR YACHT FEST
 

Buenaventura

 

6) SAILING AND CRUISING LEGEND JIMMY CORNELL

SURVEYS THE GLOBAL MOVEMENT OF CRUISING BOATS

 

PANAMA POSSE AMAZON SIDETRIP

 

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.

 

https://youtube.com/shorts/crE0pTnz6ZE?si=Yp8ql5DcwqZXeHwJ

 

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 some taking noonsights

 

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.  

 

World Cruising Routes

 

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.-

FLARE TESTING

Visiting panga off the coast of Guatemala 🇬🇹 

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

SPLINTERS Kim
SPLINTERS Eric

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

 

marina

 

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.

window

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 

Marinas

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'

WHIRLWINDWHIRLWINDWHIRLWINDWHIRLWIND
 

 

11) GOOD NAUTICAL: 

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

GOOD NAUTICAL

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.

 

Good Nautical MONKEY ISLAND

 

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.


SIGN UP FOR THE 23-24 PANAMA POSSE  

12) OCEAN WORLD MARINA 🇩🇴 
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

19° 49.655′  N 070°43.9833′ W 

 

image

 

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

 

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.

 

image

 

The Bay from above

https://oceanposse.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/02/beach.jpg

Colorful shops along the Beach of Puerto Plata 

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’


ZORBA - Tomer
ZORBA - Limor
ZORBA - Laura the Sheep

14) POSSE SWAG

 

SHOP

 


 GET A PANAMA POSSE  HAT ! 
ORDER ONE NOW 

 

 

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

Gas

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

Cowfence attached to housebank
  • 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 can alert

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

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

 

AIRHORN

 

AIR HORNS draw attention to problems

 

 

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

BAHAMAS & BEYOND 
PORT  CORRUPTION REPORTS     

https://panamaposse.com/corruption#map

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

 

https://panamaposse.com/corruption#reports

 

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 

OSA

(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.

OSA

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.

 

ancient volcano

 

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 

 

shark

 

creatures abound

 

hammerheads

 

Blue Butterflies 

 

manta ray

 

Jaguars live in Corcovado

 

 

Where the Jungle and Ocean meet.

 

17)  75+ PANAMA POSSE MARINA SPONSORS 

 

Marinas

 

🇺🇸 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 

 

https://panamaposse.com/portside-marina

 

https://panamaposse.com/south-bank-marina

 Located in the Provinciales 🇹🇨  TURKS AND CAICOS

providenciales

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  
     
 

MARINE EXCHANGE

 

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

Erick
Panama Canal Map

20) WAYPOINT YACHT SERVICES

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

Panama Dolphins

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


SIGN UP FOR THE 23-24 PANAMA POSSE  

22) MORE POSSE NEWS FROM 
🧭
AROUND THE OCEANS

 

atlantic posse

 

ATLANTIC POSSE  
SIGN UP NOW

 

Saba

 

Madeira Natural Park 🇵🇹  Madeira 

Atlantic Posse 24

Atlantic Posse '24 Burgee

 

Sign up now

 

Atlantic Posse Routes
voyage between the  Mediterranean  and  the Caribbean 

Murcia
 

south pacific posse

 

23) SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE SEASON 4 


REGISTER NOW 
 

Registration Fees

 

 

SPP

 


SIGN UP FOR SEASON 4 
At ease on Pasage

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

South Pacific Posse BUrgees

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

Marquesas

The welcoming and seafaring Polynesians in the Maquesas

Nawi Island PArty

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

New Zealand

WE OPERATE UNDER INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW

YOUR VESSEL · YOUR CREW · YOUR RESPONSIBILITY 

Mission

 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
oceanposse.com
 

OP

 

 


FLEET UPDATE 2024-02-11

 

Panama Posse

 

PANAMA POSSE 
 
FLEET UPDATE 

Souht Water Cay reversed

FEBRUARY 11, 2024

 "...
in 1944 when Einstein's boat struck a rock, filled with water and capsized while sailing on Saranac Lake in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York. Einstein was trapped under a sail with a rope tangled around his leg. Despite not being able to swim, he somehow managed to
free himself and find his way to the surface to be eventually rescued by a motorboat...

 yachting.com

TOP NEWS  

  • Pictures of the Week  🇵🇦 🇨🇷 🇲🇽
  • Shelter Bay Ocean Posse Event  🇵🇦
  • Micro Posse Meet ups  🇲🇽
  • Award entries
  • Season 7  Posse Seminars and Events coming up
  • 2 separate groups sail from different ports through a calm Papagayo window 🇨🇷 🇳🇮 🇸🇻 🇲🇽
  • Posse Perk: Real Time Intel on Acapulco 🇲🇽
  • Culture: The Feast of Santa Maria Candelaria 🇲🇽
  • Marina Chiapas Tamale Feast 🇲🇽
  • Good Nautical: Exumas, Bahamas 🇧🇸
  • Meet the Fleet: SY CIRCUITOUS
  • Food Safety Alert: 
  • MUST SEE: Castillo de San Lorenzo  🇵🇦

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

PANAMA POSSE Season 7

262 Yachts are signed up - JOIN YOUR POSSE 

 

vessels's ensigns

 

1)  PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Loving the crystal clear water in the Bahamas!  🇧🇸  

SY FREEDOM 🇺🇸 David & Sheri - Beneteau 55

FREEDOM-David
FREEDOM-Sheri

Rain squalls at sunset crossing from Costa Rican waters to Panamanian waters 🇨🇷 🇵🇦 

SY COURAGE 🇺🇸 John & Kristine – Tartan 4100

COURAGECOURAGE
image

Cutter Rig Day! 

SY SERENITY 🇺🇸 Mark & Kathryn – Antares 44′

SERENITY KathrynSERENITY - mARK

2) REPORT ON OCEAN POSSE EVENT IN 

SHELTER BAY MARINA  🇵🇦

A GREAT SUCCESS

 

 

The
annual Shelter Bay event was a huge success.  There were
informative seminars and trade show displays.  There were
attendants from all three posses,  guests contemplating joining,
and mariners passing through.  Many guests were there with their
boats and several arrived by car from the Pacific side. The seminars
were followed by an open Flor de Caña rum bar, a Panamanian traditional
dance performance, a feast, great music and a next day Mexican train
competition.  

 

Panama Posse

 

A highlight of the event was the young traditional Panamanian dance performance.

Of course there was a great spread of Potluck dishes

Joyful long time Posse members ( notice the covid icon between 2019 * 2020 ) 

Shelter Bay Marina, Panama Posse sponsor and event host, at sunset.

"Thanks
to all who attended, and special thanks to our sponsors and Juanjo and
the team at SBM for their support. Over $440.00 was raised to support
the children’s dance program that came out to perform for us and they
were ecstatic!"

Rob from SY AVANT

SY AVANT 🇨🇦 Rob & Debra – Beneteau 43.5

 

AVANAT Debra
AVANT Rob

3) MICRO PANAMA POSSE MEET UPs

IN MEXICO THIS WEEK 🇲🇽

Panama Posse & Belize

Weebles, Martini and Pause enjoying a night out in Barra de Navidad, Maxico.

MY WEEBLES 🇺🇸 Peter & Cheryll – Willard Marine 36′

MV MARTINI 🇺🇸 Mary & Bryan - Nordhavn 64′

MV PAUSE 🇺🇸 Beth & Larry - Nordhavn 55′

WEEBLES - Cheryll
WEEBLES - Chris
MARTINA - Bryan
MARTINA - Mary
PAUSE
PAUSE
PAUSE Willie
PAUSE Pebbles
 

summerbreeze and cheistry

Great company, great food, especially schnitzels!

SY FIN 🇺🇸 Michael & Susan- Lagoon 450F 45′

SY LONG WINDID 🇺🇸 Dan & Marla - Jeanneau 42′ 

SY QUE VENDRA 🇺🇸 Olena & Maciek – Outbound 46’


FIN
FIN
LONG WINDID Dan
LONG-WINDID Marla
QUE VENDRA- Maciek
QUE VENDAR Olena

Tamale Feast at Marina Chiapas Mexico 

4) SEASON 7 AWARD NOMINATIONS:

 ONE NEW BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT ENTRY

A nice dorado as big as Lexi!

Lexi
caught this giant dorado on her own. While she was setting the line out
it hit and ran hard. She asks “Can the lure be this heavy?!”. She then
reeled it in all by herself!

MY NEXT CHAPTER 🇺🇸 Chris & Shawna & crew - Selene 59′


NEXT CHAPTER - Chris
NEXT CHAPTER - Shawna
NEXT CHAPTER - crew
NEXT CHAPTER - Crew

ONE NEW MOST UNWELCOME VISITOR ONBOARD ENTRY

Stick Bug roaming the interior of Maison de Sante

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

MAISON DE SANTE KeenanMAISON DE SANTE Nicole
Flor de Caña Centenario 18 Year Old

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

Dreamer

Nominate yourself, a crew member, or another boat   

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

Share the adventure

5) UPCOMING PANAMA POSSE EVENTS

swim party

Evening view on the North side of Panama  🇵🇦  

(1) OCEAN POSSE PARTY PANAMA POSSE 🇧🇿 BELIZE YACHT FEST

Saturday April 6, 2024 
 @ PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB

 

SAT Feb 3, 2024 Sheleter BAY 🇵🇦 PANAMA

 

PANAMA POSSE 🇧🇿 BELIZE YACHT FEST @ PLACENCIA YACHT CLUB

BELIZE PLACENCIA YACHT FEST 🇧🇿 Placencia Yacht Club

Saturday April 6, 2024

16:00 – 21:30

 CONTACT
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

Beat & Caroline

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


RSVP FOR BELIZE
 

Belize

 

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

SAT. MAY 11 '24 BUENAVENTURA MARINA  🇵🇦  PANAMA

 

SAT May 10-12, 2024 BUENAVENTURA MARINA 🇵🇦 PANAMA YACHT FEST

 

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 Buenaventura Marina

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


RSVP FOR YACHT FEST
 

Buenaventura

 

SAVE THE DATE 
 PANAMA POSSE BELIZE YACHT FEST 
APRIL 6 2024

 

 

CONTACT

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

Beat & Caroline

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 

SAFE APPROACH

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

Placnencia yacht club belize
 

BELIZE

 

6) 2 SEPARATE GROUPS OF POSSE BOATS 

SHARE WEATHER WINDOW & CELEBRATE LANDFALL IN 

BAHIA SANTA ELENA, COSTA RICA

🇲🇽 🇨🇷 🇳🇮 🇸🇻

 

PANAMA POSSE AMAZON SIDETRIP

 

Nothing like sundowners with friends after crossing the Pacific Nicaraguan Coast

A group of boats left Bahia Del Sol, El Salvador and made their way to
Bahia Santa Elena, Costa Rica.  This micro Posse consisted of SY
Fickle, SY Crackerjack, SY Serenity.  Meanwhile, another group of
boats, having seen the same window left Chiapas days earlier bound for
the same Bay in northern Costa Rica.  This micro posse consisted of
MV Serenity, MV Next Chapter, SV Courage, SV Boundless.  

SY FICKLE reports:

We all took the same weather window when we saw a long awaited lull in the Papagayo winds. We on SY Fickle
wanted a “boring” passage after seeing another boat arrive to Bahia Del
Sol with ripped sails from their sail north through the Papagayos.
Knowing that we, SV Serenity, and MV Crackerjack were all taking the
same weather window going to the same place, I quickly started a
WhatsApp group thread. It was so much fun texting each other nonstop for
the entire 2ish days. We joked the entire way. It was refreshing to
know that we weren’t out there alone in the big blue ocean. To our
delight, 4 other Posse boats arrived from Chiapas within hours of our
arrival into Santa Elena. I think it’s safe to say that we were all very
happy to arrive amongst each other onboard SV Serenity, the always
gracious hosts, after enduring rough seas in the beginning that
eventually ended in flat seas.

Strong words of caution : Santa Elena bay has crocodiles and the hiking trails
are infested with ticks. Most that went to visit the tiny 4 foot tall
waterfall brought home ticks.

Otherwise, Santa Elena is a beautiful, calm, and serene pit stop that is bursting
with nature. I’m so glad that we decided to stop!

DOWN WIND MARINE AND THE PANAMA POSSE

Ticks in the toes.

Editors note:  Last May our vessel, SY WHIRLWIND,
anchored in the same beautiful bay and did the same hike.  We saw
no crocodiles and zero ticks.  Interesting to note the different
observations at different times of year.  Nonetheless, it is good
to know what to look out for.  Bahia Santa Elena is located in the
heart of the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica which is their 'dry forest'
region.  Hence the ticks.

 

bahia sant elena

 

 Bahia Santa Elena, Costa Rica is a peaceful, serence, and beautiful anchorage. 

 SY Serenity.  MV Serenity, 

SY BOUNDLESS 🇺🇸 Daniel & Naiby - Shannon 43′

SY COURAGE 🇺🇸 John & Kristine – Tartan 4100

MV CRACKERJACK 🇬🇧 David & Nancy- King Yacht 47′

SY FICKLE 🇺🇸  Ben & Muranda  - Hunter 42'

MY NEXT CHAPTER 🇺🇸 Chris & Shawna & crew - Selene 59′

SY SERENITY 🇺🇸 Mark & Kathryn – Antares 44′

 

COURAGECOURAGE
FICKLE Ben
FICKLE Muranda
FICKLE Yolanda
 


NEXT CHAPTER - Chris
NEXT CHAPTER - Shawna
NEXT CHAPTER - crew
NEXT CHAPTER - Crew
SERENITY KathrynSERENITY - mARK
SERENITY
SERENITY

 

Thank you for Sharing your Adventures on the water !

 7) WANDERLUST   
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.
 

Landing the dinghy at Playa de Coco, Costa Rica to self check into the country...

This is all part of the adventure!

 

 

8) POSSE PERK: INTEL

RESTORATION OF SERVICES IN ACAPULCO 🇲🇽

Acapuloco

REPORT FROM MY MUIRGEN:

We
are on Vicentes mooring ball in Acapulco.  We had to stop here
because we are waiting for our offshore insurance to get bound.  It
was supposed to be bound Friday, but there was a delay.  Anyway...
he was great.  We are the only ones here.  Definitely would
encourage anyone to use his services if you need them.  

MY MUIRGEN 🇺🇸 Scot & Laura - Beebe 50′


Scot
>
Marinas

9) FLAMENCO MARINA PANAMA 🇵🇦 

SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

08° 54.8466′ N 079°31.2383′ W

marina

Captains and Skippers,

 

We
are going to offer you a 5% discount on our rate for temporary stays.
Each participant must identify themselves in our office as part of their
team.

 

Our rates are subject to change. Stays must be prepaid. Does not apply discount for any other service of the marina.

 

Stays must be reserved and are subject to dock availability.

CONTACT

Caridad Icaza / Gerente de Servicio al Cliente

Tel. 314-1980 / Cel. 6379-2780 / Isla Flamenco, Calzada de Amador

cicaza@fuerteamador.com

window

AMENITIES

 

 

  • Docks open 24/7
  • Security 24/7
  • Capacity up to200 feet
  • Recharge of fuel
  • Shipyard for maintenance and repairs
  • Laundry for yachts
  • Firefighters marine
  • Electric service
  • Water potable
  • Available foreign trash
  •  Charter Service
  • Pleasure yacht
  • Ice service for the boater
  • Bilingual staff and qualified
  • Customs offices, migration quarantine and Maritime Authority from Panama
 

 

10) CULTURE: THE FEAST OF SANTA MARIA CANDELARIA

CELEBRATED IN TUXTLA CHICA, CHIAPAS 🇲🇽

Marina Chiapas is a sponsor of the Panama Posse and a fabulous host to all
vessels in the southernmost port of Mexico.  Visiting vessels have
the opportunity to meet local guides Tony and Miguel to learn about the
history and culture of the region.  Last week, the crews of MV SUMMERBREEZE, MY SPLINTER, & SY EVER AFTER,
took the opportunity to join Tony and Miguel on a short trip to the
nearby town of Tuxtla Chico to experience the Feast of Santa Maria
Candaleria.  This catholic celebration that happens once a year.
Celebrations include music, dancing, fireworks, and artistry.

MV SUMMERBREEZE Trip Report:

On February 2nd of every year  the Feast of Santa Maria Candelaria
(is celebrated) in the town of Tuxtla Chico. During the festivities of
this traditional fair entire families of many generations congregate in
the streets of the city to make artistic 'carpets' made out of sawdust
of different colors.  (Designs include) flowers, corozo, and
cascabillo and other natural elements that are combined on the streets
of this town to make miles long carpets for a procession to go down.

At about 8 o’clock they come out of the chapel and carry the Virgin Maria
statue through the streets, with an elaborate procession behind them.
Each intersection they come to they shoot off fireworks to let you know
where the Virgin Maria is. It’s quite elaborate. I would say that there
had to be at least 100,000 to 200,000 people in this little town during
this event. I’ve never seen anything like it ever before. Anywhere. A
whole video could be made of this event. Unfortunately, it rained for
about 20 minutes rather hard and washed away a lot of the hard work that
people had done. But not much. Because, like I said, there were miles
of the streets covered with this sawdust carpet. 

It was incredible.

image

The 'carpets' are made of sawdust.

Each 'carpet' is a work of art carefully executed.

The celebration is so colorful

Upon completion the streets are 'carpeted' with unique and beautiful art

The Catholic Church in Tuxtla Chico.

The Virgin Statue is brought through the streets.

Three Vessels and two fabulous tour guides shared this special experience.

SY EVER AFTER 🇺🇸 Andrew & Laura - Jeanneau 44′

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

MV SUMMERBREEZE 🇺🇸 Kurtis - Bestway 46'

Ever AfterEver After SAILING EVER AFTER SPLINTERS Kim SPLINTERS Eric
SUMMERBREEZE - Kurtis

11) POSSE PERK: PANAMA POSSE SPONSOR

MARINA CHIAPAS 🇲🇽 MEXICO

HOSTS PERIODIC TAMALE FEAST

Special Thank you Marina Chiapas & especially Rolf for a great Panama Posse Tamale party. 

Every
boat at the marina was invited so there were posse crews and non posse
crews.  All boaters enjoying a festive afternoon with marina staff
(from ground keepers to the office manager).  Plenty of food for
all. Great hosts.

The tamale feast is held poolside under a shady open air gazebo.

Kurtis and Marina Manager Rolf standing beside a mountain of tamales.

Marina Chiapas did us well.

12) GOOD NAUTICAL: WATER PIG ANCHORAGE

  Great Exuma Island - Peace & Plenty Anchorage

EXUMA, BAHAMAS

GOOD NAUTICAL

Uninvited visitors - swimming pigs in the Bahamas 

SY FREEDOM says:
The pigs are much bigger than expected. Definitely a tourist spot!
Found a couple amazing anchorages while exploring on the dinghy.

 

https://goodnautical.com/bahamas/anchorage/staniel-cay-nw-coast

 

More about this area from SY FREEDOM:

We
are not full time cruisers, but take advantage of time when we find it.
We spent 10 days in Abaco's, mostly Hopetown in early December. The
Combustion Music Festival with singer songwriters, mostly from
Nashville, were amazing. Late January we headed out again. A couple days
in Chub Cay...which is a beautiful resort and marina. Easy check in at
the airport. You can also anchor out front. From there we headed to the
Exumas. A few nights in Highbourne Cay on anchor and beach time at the
resort. Staniel Cay, known for the swimming pigs, was a beautiful
anchorage and easy access to the Staniel Cay Yacht Club for fun with
fellow boaters. We met some great new friends and took the dingy to
several other neighboring Cays. Amazing sandbars and additional
anchorages we will be back too. One in particular of Sampson's Cay (a
private island) was serene and quiet with access to great beaches and
sandbars by dinghy. We had agreed to meet our Florida neighbors in
Dunmore Town Eleuthera, so we had to shorten our stay and head back
north. Spanish Wells stop over was a favorite on the trip. Beautiful
water, friendly people and great food at Wreckers, the marina bar. The
water is as clear as drinking water everywhere. We arrived in the
Valentine's Marina a day ahead of schedule, due to forecasted heavy
winds. A very expensive marina, but considering the weather we had this
week, we were very happy to be tied to a dock! Registered over 41 knots
between 1-2am. Not much sleep that night. To get to Dunmore Town, you
need to cross the Devil's Backbone from Spanish Wells. It was highly
recommended we hire a pilot to drive us through the very shallow, coral
laden area, very close to shore. The current Navionics charts were quite
accurate, but we did hire a captain to get us through the first time.
With the winds this week coming from the north, the Devil's Backbone is
not passable. We will be here a few extra days waiting for the wind to
shift and swells to calm down. Heading back to the Berry Islands for a
few days on our way back to Florida next week. Takeaways from this
trip...we will pick one area to explore for a 3-4 week period, not try
to cover 3, since we are not full time cruisers, I would like to come
back when the weather and water temps are warmer. I envy those who can
spend years exploring all these beautiful islands. We will be exploring
much more in the future, in 3-4 week increments. 

Dave and Sheri swinging in the sunshine

SY FREEDOM 🇺🇸 David & Sheri - Beneteau 55′

FREEDOM-David
FREEDOM-Sheri

SIGN UP FOR THE 23-24 PANAMA POSSE  

13)MARINA BOCAS 🇵🇦 

SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

9°20.140’N – 82°14.819’W

 

image

 

Hi Panama Posse members!

  • We are very happy to hear that you are moving the PP once again !!!
  • Fortunately we never had to close the Bocas Marina and we are at full power!
  • We already have some previous PP members living in the marina and we are ready for new visitors
  • For that we are offering 20% off on our daily & monthly rates.
  • Not valid for longer term fees.
  • Also, our boatyard with Travel Lift 60 Ton capacity will offer 20% off in the travel lift rates.
  • Hope you guys are having a great time and looking forward to meet you all in person

Luis Fabian – General Manager”

email: bocasyachtclub@yahoo.com

Bocas Marina – 9°20.140’N – 82°14.819’W

+50766166000″

  • Bocas Marina – 9°20.140’N – 82°14.819’W
  • Bocas del Toro – Rep. of Panama
  • www.bocasmarina.com
  • www.bocasboatyard.com – Mr. Luso +50766195601- 60 ton travel lift
  • www.facebook.com/bocasmarina/
  • Land Phone: (507) 757-9800

15) MEET THE FLEET  

SV CIRCUITOUS

Jess and Matt

Ahoy, Adventurers! We are SY CIRCUITOUS, Matt and Jess.  Accompanied by our furry companions, we set sail with the ambitious goal of circumnavigating the globe.

Our
story began over a decade ago in a small town in North Eastern
Pennsylvania, where we first crossed paths. Fueled by a shared desire to
break free from the constraints of small town living, we envisioned a
life of extensive travel. Dissatisfied with the conventional, one or
two-week vacation model, we yearned for something more exhilarating – a
life untethered by the mundane.


Initially captivated by the idea of RVing, the turning point came when
Matt stumbled upon the inspiring tale of Tania Aebi in the book "Maiden
Voyage." The seed of a grander adventure was planted – why limit
ourselves to land when we could embrace the vastness of the seas,
sailing across oceans and exploring numerous countries?


Despite initial reservations from Jess about floating on the open
ocean, the fire in Matt's eyes ignited a passion for sailing. Over Ten
years of dedication and perseverance, we secured the boat that felt like
home. With vows exchanged, we embarked on an extended honeymoon, and we
are now three years deep into our maritime odyssey.

This
life on the waves has proven to be nothing short of extraordinary.
Meeting diverse and fascinating people, forging lasting friendships, and
accumulating a treasure trove of experiences. Matt and Jess find each
moment at sea worth the adventure. Living our dream, we wouldn't trade
this exhilarating life for anything else!

furry friend number 1

furry friend number 2

SY CIRCUITOUS 🇻🇮 Matt &Jess - Island Packet 38′

CIRCUITOUS
CIRCUITOUS 

16) POSSE SWAG

 

SHOP

 


 GET A PANAMA POSSE  HAT ! 
ORDER ONE NOW 

 

 

17)  FOOD SECURITY ALERT:

BE AWARE OF FOOD ITEMS ONBOARD 

WHEN CROSSING INTERNATIONAL BORDERS

Bananas grown in Panama

Produce
pests know no borders, but every country does.  In fact, every
country the world over has unique and explicit guidelines regarding what
can and cannot come into their country.  Recently vessels entering
Mexico from the south have met strict produce enforcement because of
produce pests that the Mexican Government do not want hitchhiking into
their country.  Please see the link below for complete list of
restrictions.  Be aware that anything brought into Mexico that is
restricted can be taken from your vessel upon entrance.  

18)  MUST SEE: 

CASTLE OF SAN LORENZO

 AT PORT CHAGRES 🇵🇦 PANAMA   

Shelter
Bay Marina is a great location for exploring the mouth of the Rio
Chagres and tapping into the long standing history of trade moving
through the region from the Atlantic to the Pacific.  El Castillo
de San Lorenzo is a UNESCO World Heritage site.  This
historic Spanish Fort is a short 10 minute drive from the marina.
The Castle was built as a fort by the Spanish and ransacked by
pirates several times over many many years in an effort to control the
access to and the movement of goods (treasures and gold).  We,
aboard SV WHIRLWIND had a fascinating trip into the site after the Ocean Posse Party.

 

revillafifedos

 

Mike and Maurisa with the Spanish fort in the background

The
Castillo de San Lorenzo overlooks a bay leading into the river Chagres
some 100 feet down a cliff. The river leads inland about 2/3 of the way
across Panama to Panama City. A dam was built as part of the canal
construction around 100 years ago. This created a big inland lake (Lake
Gatun). The Panama Canal locks are used to lift boats up into this lake,
sail across to the other side and then through a 7 mile long trench in
the rock to the locks on the Pacific side where the boats go back down.

 

ancient volcano

 

The Fort is on a cliff overlooking the mouth of the Rio Chagres.

By
1534, the Monarchy of Spain had, following its conquest of Peru,
established a rainy-season gold route over the isthmus of Panama —Camino
Real de Cruces— using mule trains and the Chagres River.

The
trail connected the Pacific port of Panama City to the mouth of the
Chagres, from whence Peru’s plunder would sail to Spain’s storehouses in
the leading Atlantic ports of the isthmus: Nombre de Dios, at first;
and, later, Portobelo. The dry-season, overland route—the Camino
Real—connected Panama City with those ports directly. Attracted to the
treasure, pirates began attacking Panama’s coast around 1560.

 

shark

 

The site is a UNESCO heritage site and well signed to learn about the history in both Spanish and English.

 

hammerheads

 

The fort was well protected...and yet the pirates ransacked it a number of times.

Captain
Morgan the pirate came along about 300 years ago and captured the fort
from the Spanish. He then took his boats and men inland as far as he
could. He then found 500 mules and transported guns and canons and
supplies another 7 miles to Panama City where he plundered all the gold
for himself and men that the Spanish had plundered from local Indians.
It is hard to tell who was the bad guy here.

 

 

 

Canons sat on carts

 

manta ray

 

Gunman protected the perimeter from these corner posts

Archipiélago de Revillagigedo San Benedicto Island - Mexico

The Spanish officers has quarters in the middle of the fort that are being restored.

 

revillafgigedos

 

The fort was surrounded by a moat.

To learn more and see more pictures of the fort as it is and as it was click the link below.

By 1534, the Monarchy of Spain had, following its conquest of Peru, established a rainy-season gold route over the isthmus of Panama —Camino Real de Cruces— using mule trains and the Chagres River.

Notice the Reef under the nose of the fortification even noted int he old chart below 

Old Chart

Historic Reef @  09° 19.37' N  080° 00.3066' W

REEF

 

19)  75+ PANAMA POSSE MARINA SPONSORS 

 

Marinas

 

🇺🇸 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 

 

HOLDEN BEACH SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE 🇺🇸 33°54.9388′ N 078°16.1848′ W | ICW Mile 324

 

The Crystal Coast | Crystal Coast North Carolina

Advanced reservations can be made online at hbtownhall.com, or by visiting Holden Beach Town Hall.

• Sign in at Town Hall across the street upon arrival. (After house please see Police Dept.)

• Boat welcome for 72 hours in any 30 day period.

• No generator running while docked.

• No loud noise after 10:00 PM.

• No swimming or diving from the docks.

• No fishing from the docks.

• No open flames on the docks or adjacent green space.

• Anyone less than 16 years of age must be accompanied by an adult at all times.

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  
     
 

WEST MARINE PRO

 

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

Erick
Panama Canal Map

22) WAYPOINT YACHT SERVICES

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

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

Making a splash

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


SIGN UP FOR THE 23-24 PANAMA POSSE  

24) MORE POSSE NEWS FROM 
AROUND THE OCEANS

 

atlantic posse

 

ATLANTIC POSSE  
SIGN UP NOW

 

Marakesh

 

Markets in 🇲🇦  Morocco 

Atlantic Posse 24

Atlantic Posse '24

 

Sign up now

 

Atlantic Posse Routes
voyage between the  Mediterranean  and  the Caribbean 

Hisroric center in Spain
 

south pacific posse

 

26) SOUTH PACIFIC POSSE SEASON 4 


REGISTER NOW 
 

Registration Fees

 

 

SPP

 


SIGN UP FOR SEASON 4 
Reef Island Culture

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

South Pacific Posse BUrgees

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

American Samoa

American Samoa

Nawi Island PArty

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

attooed Marquesan Warrior.

"Tattooed Marquesan Warrior." 
Engraving
of Noukahiwa in N. Dally's Customs and Costumes of the Peoples of the
World, T urin, 1845. Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris.

          

WE OPERATE UNDER INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW

YOUR VESSEL · YOUR CREW · YOUR RESPONSIBILITY 

Mission

 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
oceanposse.com

 

OP

 


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