SEASON 8 AWARD ENTRIES: BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT

SEASON 8 AWARD ENTRIES: BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT

We caught that fish just off the coast of Baja from the back of our sailboat. One of three greater than 30 lbs. 20 nautical miles past Isla Cedros.
It was a blast. Tuna steaks forever. Vacuum packed and in the freezer. We weighed it with a luggage scale.

75 lb (weighed) yellowfin tuna caught with hand line and landed on Outbound 46.

SVย MALAIKA ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธย Robert & BettiAnn –ย Outbound 46′


LAYERS OF LIFE IN THE OCEAN

LAYERS OF LIFE IN THE DEEP SEA

from ScienceFacts.net

From the Mediterranean to the Caribbean to the Galapagos to the Sea of Cortez to the expansive South Pacific Ocean Posse members have the opportunity to see, and in some cases, swim with a wide range of marine animals.ย  Most marine life is seen at or near the surface in the upper reaches of what is termed the Sunlights Zone or the Epipelagic Zone.ย  Interestingly, though what we see is in the merely upper reaches of the ocean's truly astounding depth.ย  The ocean is unfathomably deep.ย  The ocean is divided into various depth zones, each with its own unique environment, ecosystem, and community of creatures.

For those of us that want to enjoy some rather Zen armchair deep diving check out this video to see just how deep various creatures live and travel.

For those of us that are interested in a more technical deep dive below is a a breakdown of the major depth zones and the creatures that live there:

1. Epipelagic Zone (0 - 200 meters / 0 - 656 feet)

  • Also known as: The sunlight zone, because this is where sunlight can penetrate.
  • Key features: The warmest of all ocean depth zones, most biodiverse zone, supporting a wide variety of marine life.
  • Creatures:
    • Fish: Tuna, sharks, sardines, and anchovies.
    • Mammals: Dolphins, whales, and seals.
    • Invertebrates: Jellyfish, squid, and shrimp.
    • Plankton: Phytoplankton (plant-like) and zooplankton (animal-like).
    • Coral reefs thrive here, supporting thousands of species of fish, crustaceans, and other organisms.
The sunlight zone is home to so much marine life. Photo credit: SV PATHFINDER

At the bottom of the Epipelagic Zone starts the thermocline. In this transitional region, the water temperature decreases rapidly with increasing depth. The depth and temperature of the thermocline vary between seasons and years.

2. Mesopelagic Zone (200 - 1000 meters / 656 - 3280 feet)

  • Also known as Mid-water zone and The twilight zone, where light begins to fade, but some faint light from the surface still exists.
  • Key features: Light is scarce, and pressure increases as depth increases.ย  Due to lack of light, it is from this zone that bioluminescence begins to appear from living creatures.
  • Creatures:
    • Fish: Lanternfish (known for their bioluminescence), bristle mouth, and hatchetfish.
    • Invertebrates: Squid, some types of jellyfish, and deep-sea shrimp.
    • Adaptations: Many creatures have bioluminescence to attract prey or mates. They also have large eyes to detect faint light.
Life in the Mesopelagic or Twilight Zone

Despite bursting with aquatic life, this layer has remained relatively untouched from commercial fishing.ย  Plants do not grow in this zone, so creatures either feed by filtering the water or hunting other creatures.ย  Humans can dive to this layer but need to wear protective suits due to high pressure and lack of heat.

3. Bathypelagic Zone (1000 - 4000 meters / 3280 - 13,123 feet)

  • Also known as: The midnight zone, where no natural light penetrates.
  • Key features: Total darkness, high pressure, and near-freezing temperatures.ย  This zone makes up 90% of the ocean
  • Creatures:
    • Fish: Deep-sea fish like the anglerfish, gulper eel, and viperfish.
    • Invertebrates: Giant squid, deep-sea jellyfish, and sea cucumbers.
    • Mammals: Sperm whales are found to dive down this level in search of food.
    • Adaptations: Many animals here are bioluminescent, and have specialized feeding mechanisms to catch scarce prey. Some creatures also have large mouths and extendable stomachs to capture food efficiently.
MBARI (Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute) researchers have discovered a new species of deep-sea crown jellyfish in the oceanโ€™s midnight zone.

The pressure in this zone is extreme.ย  For example 4,000 meters (13,100 feet) down, there is over 5850 pounds per square inch.

4. Abyssopelagic Zone (4000 - 6000 meters / 13,123 - 19,685 feet)

  • Also known as: The abyss, this zone is one of the deepest, darkest, most remote areas of the ocean.
  • Key features: Constant darkness, near-freezing temperatures, immense pressure, and very little food.
  • Creatures:
    • Fish: Abyssal fish like the abyssal grenadiers.
    • Invertebrates: Sea cucumbers, brittle stars, and various types of shrimp.
    • Adaptations: Animals here have adapted to survive with minimal energy, some feed on detritus that falls from the upper layers. Many creatures are slow-moving and have a specialized metabolism.ย  Most are transparent and blind.
The anglerfish is a fish that lives in the abyssopelagic zone.
Hydrothermal vents are underwater geysers that spew lava and super-heated, chemical-rich water from the Earthโ€™s molten core. Deep dwelling creatures converge near these vents.

Both the Bathypelagic Zone and the Abyssopelagic Zone are home toย Hydrothermal Vents (2000 - 5000 meters / 6562 - 16,404 feet).ย  These are unique ecosystems powered by the heat from underwater volcanic activity.ย  Many Creatures are uniquely adapted to thrive in, around, and near hydrothermal vents.ย  These creatures include: Tube worms, giant clams, and vent crabs, all rely on chemosynthesis (instead of photosynthesis) to produce energy from the chemicals in the vent water, rather than sunlight.

5. Hadalpelagic Zone (6000 meters to the deepest parts of the ocean, about 11,000 meters / 19,685 - 36,089 feet) is the Mariana Trench off Japan in the Pacific Ocean

The regions that exceed roughly 3.5 miles, or 20,000 feet, are known as the hadal zone.ย  This zone includes the Mariana Trench which is so deep that even Mount Everest would be wholly submerged if placed at its bottom.

  • Also known as: The hadal zone, named after the Greek god of the underworld, Hades.ย  named after Hades, Greek god of the underworld. Fitting right, given their abyss-like nature and mystery?
  • Key features: Found in deep ocean trenches and the deepest parts of the ocean. Extreme pressure, cold temperatures, and complete darkness.
  • Creatures:
    • Fish: Few species, such as hadal amphipods, and fish found in the deepest trenches (like the snailfish).
    • Invertebrates: Hadel benthic organisms like deep-sea polychaete worms and giant tube worms.
    • Adaptations: Creatures here have evolved to withstand extreme pressures and cold. They often have specialized features, like high resistance to pressure, to survive at these depths.
Deep Sea Dragonfish live in the Mariana Trench and look more like aliens or sci-fi creations. Photo Credit AmericanOceans.org

The Mariana Trench was formed by a process known as subduction, where the Pacific Plate is being subducted under the smaller Mariana Plate.ย  The Mariana Trench is about 2,550 kilometers (1,580 miles) long and averages 69 kilometers (43 miles) in width. The trench forms a crescent-shaped scar in the Earth's crust.ย ย The deepest diving submarine ever built, the DSV Limiting Factor, can reach a depth of 10,928 meters (36,037 feet).ย  Few humans have in fact touched the bottom of the ocean. In 1960, the Trieste, a bathyscaphe, descended to a depth of 35,800 feet in the Mariana Trench.

Each of these zones has highly specialized creatures that have adapted to the extreme conditions, from the lack of light to the crushing pressures. The deeper you go, the less food and energy are available, so organisms often evolve ways to survive on little, or have unique features to cope with darkness and cold.


MUST SEE La Lonja de la Seda, Spain

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ La Lonja de la Seda, Spain ๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ
39ยฐ28'27.7"N 0ยฐ22'41.9"W

The UNESCO Silk Exchange BUILDING in Valencia

La Lonja de la Seda de Valencia was built over 500 years ago

Valencia, the โ€œMedina al-Tarabโ€ (City of Sand), is one of the oldest cities in Spain. The city was founded on the banks of the River Turia in 138 BC by the Romans, and began to prosper in the Andulasian period (714 AD-1171 AD). The advent of Islamic culture brought with it a myriad of trading activities related to paper, silk, leather and ceramics and placed Valencia as a commercial hub. After witnessing a brief period of decline, Valencia again revived its importance in the 15th Century, a period which is also referred to as the โ€œGolden Period of Valenciaโ€. They are noteworthy monuments related to the Silk Roads heritage and to the silk industry in the city. La Lonja de la Seda (Silk Exchange) in Valencia, Spain, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and an iconic example of Gothic architecture. It's a must-see due to its historical significance, stunning design, and cultural value. Here's why:

La Lonja was built between 1482 and 1548 to serve as the city's silk trading center during the height of Valencia's economic power. Interestingly, this building replaced a previous building which was called the oil exchange and was where the trade of agricultural oil and other business was conducted. The rising prosperity of Valencia in the 15th century led to the building of the Lonja, the current silk exchange. The exchange was a symbol of the city's wealth, where merchants from all over Europe and the Mediterranean came to conduct business. The building showcases stunning Gothic architecture, blending civil and religious influences. The main hall (Sala de Contrataciones or the Contract Hall), with its incredible vaulted ceiling supported by twisted columns, is a masterpiece of design. This is where merchants come to discuss and negotiate contracts. The twisted columns were meant to look like palm trees branching into the sky. The columns themselves were painted brown, the branching up high green, and beyond, blue. While the hall is still stunning today, this painted palm forest was surely a very different look than the bare sandstone of today and must have been very impressive.

The contract hall Photo Credit: Facto Foto.

The patio and the tower are notable parts of La Lonja as well. The Patio, or inner courtyard, has an open-air design that is stunning, offering an insight into the architectural ingenuity of the period. The tower is fortified with defensive features, symbolic of the importance of the building in the city's trade and security. It is said that traders who were found guilty of fraud were imprisoned in the tower. The ornate detailing in the form of carvings and sculptures is another highlight of the building's grandeur.

Intricate gargoyle stands watch near the tower of La Lonja

In 1996, La Lonja was designated a UNESCO World Heritage site for its exceptional contribution to the architecture of Europe and its importance to Valencia's historical development. It remains one of the best-preserved examples of civil Gothic architecture in Spain. It stands out among this style of architecture as well for it is among the few that was not a church or a cathedral. Inside, visitors can admire a series of frescoes and sculptures, as well as a collection of artworks that showcase the wealth and artistic sophistication of the time. The building also houses exhibitions about its history and the importance of the silk trade in Valencia's rise as a Mediterranean commercial powerhouse.

Far to the west see Valencia on the Silk Road map
Silk loom
Silk thread and woven fabric

Silk fiber production process

Loom in the Requena Silk Museum. / Image provided by Ester Alba

The main activity of the Valencian silk industry from the fifteenth to the end of the seventeenth century was the production of silk fiber, a job that was carried out intensively from March to June. โ€œThe production of silk fiber was a very intense activity carried out in a very specific season, but it was vital for the survival of peasant familiesโ€, explains Professor Ricardo Franch. It started by warming silkworm eggs through different methods, like using body heat or the warmth of the sun, but not before a ritual that involved bringing the silkworm eggs to the church to bless them. The enormous dedication required by this process was due to the fact that the income was obtained in June, coinciding with the payment of different leases. Thus, silk harvesting was essential to obtain the income needed to meet the economic demands of peasant families. When June arrived and the worms had already finished the cocoon, the silk was spun. This work, carried out mainly by women, was hard and left its mark on the hands of the peasants who pulled the thread after soaking it in hot water.

 

It's easy to visit La Lonja as it is centrally located in Valencia, close to other historic sites, such as the Central Market and Valencia Cathedral. The building is open for tours, and it's often less crowded than other famous sites in Spain, allowing a more relaxed visit. La Lonja de la Seda is a must-see for anyone visiting Valencia due to its stunning architecture, historical significance, and status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. It beautifully represents the peak of Valencia's commercial and cultural influence in the Middle Ages, making it a vital part of the city's heritage.

https://oceanposse.com/spain/


POSSE SPONSOR PREDICTWIND ADDS NEW LIGHTNING FEATURE

OCEAN POSSE SPONSOR PREDICTWIND

ADDS NEW LIGHTNING FEATURE

Predictwind supports the Ocean Posse with free tracking and a [ must be logged in to see ] ย 20 % Discount off our pro packages โ€“ to claim your discount please login and email support@predictwind.com with your vessel name and email address.

For those of you with paid subscriptions to Predictwind they rolled out new features this week that send extreme weather alerts and show lightening predictions- pretty cool go check it out!

Powerful features to keep you in control.

Weather forecasts and industry-leading marine tools to make your next adventure simpler, safer and more enjoyable.

 


MV TIDINGS OF JOY VISITS AN EMBERA VILLAGE

MV TIDINGS OF JOY VISITS AN EMBERA VILLAGE

Highlights visiting an Embera village in Panama; we were welcomed with music
The Embera traditionally cook over an open fire.ย  We enjoyed fresh caught fish and plaintains.
The Embera live in elevated thatch roofed huts

Tidings of Joy took a guided tour of the native village of the Embera tribe in Panama recently.ย  Here is their trip report:

Our wonderful guide Goran (+507 6314-0827) picked us up in front of Flamenco Marina and drove for a short, one hour drive outside the city to Chagres National Park. We watched the buildings, traffic and. noise melt into green lush trees, birds and silence. When we arrived at the parking lot, we were met by two native Embera men wearing traditional clothing. Our guide mentioned this isnโ€™t their everyday wears but when there is a celebration, or they want to demonstrate their culture they will wear them. We walked down to a long, narrow wooden boat with single rows of seats that didnโ€™t appear very sturdy at first glance. As we filed in one by one we were careful to walk in the middle to not tip the boat. One native man drove the outboard powered boat from the stern while the second man stood watch on the bow using a homemade wood pole as both a spear and a seat.

The bowman.
Jeff and Joy of MV Tidings of Joy sitting in a single wide vessel en route to the village
A waterfall in the lush jungle near the village

The river was long and somewhat shallow in spots and wrapped in green voluptuous trees. Birds flew overhead as we wound our way down the river. Our first stop was a forest where we walked on a muddy path over rocks and through streams to get to a gorgeous waterfall. Despite the water being a little chilly we all plunged in and swam to the waterfall. It felt freeing and safe and perfect. After we finished gallivanting in the water we made the trek back to our wood boat and carefully piled in. Our next stop was at the Embera village where women in traditional clothes greeted everyone individually shaking our hands and saying โ€œwelcome/bienvenidoโ€ as we walked up the slight incline towards the village. As we got closer four Embera men were standing in a line playing traditional music welcoming us. We were all seated in one of their two communal kitchens and observed two women frying up fish and plantains in a cauldron full of oil. While we waited for lunch to cook a different native woman stood in front of us and told us about their rich and vast history. We learned that the Embera tribe was not always from this area but used to reside down in the Darian region but because the boat ride full of fresh fruits to sell in the city took 7 days causing all of their food to spoil, they decided to move closer to the city. In this Embera village there are only 25 families. Each one lives in a homemade wooden house elevated 5-6 feet from the ground to prevent flooding and minimalize animal invasion. Children are taken by boat to school in a neighboring village where a teacher from the city teaches them Monday-Friday before returning to the city for the weekend. Presently, tourism is their main source of income. Each day men go out fishing and bring their catches back for the woman to prepare for the days meals. After our education about the Embera tribe we feasted on a lunch of fried fresh tilapia and fried plantains all served in a banana leaf wrapped in the shape of a bowl and a table full of fresh fruits the guides had provided. With full bellies and a lot to think about we were escorted into a large communal hut we were told was used for ceremonies and communal gathering. The locals had tables surrounding the perimeter filled with handmade crafts for sale. They wove baskets and plates and bowls along with jewelry and fabric they had created the designs for. Some of the men had wood carvings for sale of various animals and even wooden knives which Jeff decided he needed to have. After a brief lap around we all sat on wood benches and watched as the native woman performed traditional dances. Several men surrounded them playing instruments while they chanted and moved around. They even encouraged audience participation, and I sat watching as Jeff was escorted around in a circle hand and hand with a native woman teaching him their dance. All of the woman tourists were given homemade flower crowns to wear home. Embera felt like a peaceful eutopia and a wonderful pause from all of the commotion and chaos of everyday life. A tour we would highly recommend.

Women dancing in the communal hut.

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE!

MY TIDINGS OF JOY ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ Jeff & Joy - DeFever 52โ€ฒ


MARINA PAPAGAYO ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE

MARINA PAPAGAYO ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ท SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE

Marina Papagayo is proud to continue our sponsorship of the Ocean Posse fleet for the 2024/25 season. ย Our dockage discount for Posse members is:

Stay three nights pay for two

Stay for a week and pay for five days

Stay for a month and pay the annual monthly rate

Complimentary drink coupons for the Dive bar on arrival ย 

ย 

We look forward to welcoming you to Marina Papagayo.

Best Regards,

Dan

Dan, the marina manager, is a sailor among us, & a longtime sponsor of the Posse

https://oceanposse.com/marina-papagayo

Costa Rica is a very beautiful country to visit by boat all times of the year.ย  Their biodiversity is protected and is a highlight from the coast to the mountaintops.ย  Costa Rica is also out of the hurricane zone. Just lightning and thunder. A few Panama Posse vessels summered at Marina Papagayo and report that it gets way less rain and lightning/thunder compared to south CR like Golfito.

SV MAISON DE SANTE spent a hurricane season at Marina Papagayo:

A special shout out to Marina Papagayo and manager Dan for being a Panama Posse sponsor! Such a beautiful eco-conscious marina with everything you could ask for: potable water, complimentary pump out services, laundry, gym, pool, game room, hot showers with good water pressure, 24 hour security, recycling, mini market, marine store, and concierge services. Thereโ€™s a nice walking trail to beautiful beaches and restaurants where you are likely to encounter all kinds of wildlife like deer, iguanas, and monkeys. The marina is so clean, you donโ€™t have to think twice about cleaning the bottom of your boat (or running the water maker). A pet friendly marina with wonderful staff! I would highly recommend this marina to anyone visiting Costa Rica!

Marina Papagayo has walking trails into the forest steps from the dock ramps.
A truly eco-conscious marina offering fullscale waste management program
Well stocked, clean, and cool Marine Store.
Marina Papagayo

Season 8 Burgees are going UP

SEASON 8 BURGEES ARE GOING UP

SV PERCEPTION has their burgee
MV PAUSE raises their burgee in Bahia Honda, Panama
MV MARTINI received their burgee in the states and is ready to raise it and run with it.
SV ??? Let the season begin.
SV ???
SV WAYFINDER will splash and raise their burgee soon.
SV SEA SENOR has his burgee.
SV STRAY CAT is ready to rock.
SV CROIX DE SUD

ANCHOR FEE SCAM ALERT

ANCHOR FEE SCAM ALERT

SV MAISON DE SANTE recently were approached to pay an anchor fee that was not valid.

SV MAISON DE SANTE reports:

Please learn from our mistake- For those going to Isla Escudo de Veraguas in the Bocas Del Toro region, Panama. Recently, we were approached by locals who insisted on payment of $15 for anchoring. They did not look official but had official looking receipts (like you would get in San Blas Islands). We never paid anything last year and paid this time thinking there might have been a change we were unaware of. Later (we) spoke to another local on the island who said, "do not pay her".ย  ย We never paid anything last year and in reaching out to the local Bocas Del Toro cruisers on WhatsApp, seems like this just started this year and some are falling for the trap.

My experience has been that most people in remote areas looking for a handout are happy with Colas and other basic supplies (school supplies, disposable batteries, some gas, or lures). We are happy to contribute but also itโ€™s unfair to cruisers for people to falsely claim rules/regulations when they are not a governing authority.

I did get a receipt and have paid WAY more for a piece of paper! ๐Ÿ˜‚


COOKIES AND FARADAY CAGES

COOKIES AND FARADAY CAGES

*Seasonal Provisioning Tip*

This time of year you can get huge packages of food (cookies, chocolates, crackers) in special seasonal โ€˜cookie tinsโ€™.ย  We on SV AVANT go crazy and stock up on them.

We keep the tins to use as faraday cages (store smaller portable electronics in them to protect them from the effects of a nearby lightning strike).

BONUS: Consumption of the contents can improve morale, as well.

ย SY AVANTย ๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฆ Rob & Debra โ€“ย Beneteau 43.5


Thanksgiving 2024

HAPPYย THANKSGIVINGย 

Happyย Thanksgiving to All

Admirals, Captains, Skippers, Quartermasters and Crew,

May your anchors set in a deep broad bed of sand,

your sails, hearts and bellies be full.

South of the border SV KNOT RIGHT had a traditional turkey in their Thanksgiving feast.
No turkey, no problem - One year we got 2 lobster for Thanksgiving

Thisย Thanksgiving there are many things to be grateful for.ย  The open seas, remote anchorages, coves, beaches and oceans are still the best source of fresh air and wellness for explorers and seafarers alike. We reflect on all the things to be grateful for โ€”friends, family, loved ones, and a well charted course are things to be cherished We want to thank you for being part of the Ocean Posse: a group of exceptional individuals who look at the horizon each day and say โ€œwhere to next ?โ€

We are thankful to our Marina Partners and Sponsors who will host us, help us to re-provision, refuel, resupply, and rest so that we can get underway again.

Ocean Posse Team

Dietmar, Maurisa, Nicole, & Rob

WHIRLWIND