EMERGENCY COMMUNICATIONS

Emergency Communications

By Rob Murray on SV AVANT

Cruisers spend big dollars on emergency communications, and in most cases never use them. What are some of the options, their pros and cons, and use cases aboard?

EPIRB

EPIRBs (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon(s)) are the gold standard in reliability and durability. Designed by an international consortium of search and rescue agencies in the 1980s, these use the SARSAT (Search And Rescue Satellite Aided Tracking) system of satellites (a combination of government operated LEOSAR, GEOSAR, and MEOSAR satellites) combined with a network of 29 MCCs (Mission Control Centers) which communicate with national RCCs (Rescue Coordination Centers).

When you activate your EPIRB, a SARSAT satellite will pick up the signal within minutes and relay it to the MCC nearest the satellite via their Local User Terminal. The MCC will relay the transmission to the national authority’s RCC you have registered your EPIRB with (typically your flag country). Then ‘your’ RCC will relay the information to the RCC responsible for the area you are in and reach out to the emergency contacts registered with your beacon, and the RCC local to your location will begin a rescue operation. This is typically done in less than an hour.

COSPAS-SARSAT System Overview

The downside of EPIRBs is they are one-way communicators – they simply relay your call for help, and do not indicate if it’s a fire, sinking, or medical emergency.

Once purchased, EPIRBs are free to operate (no subscription fee), and the only ongoing cost is periodic replacement of the batteries (depends on unit specifications). Most units are water activated, so they should be stored where rain or spray won’t set them off inadvertently. They are specified to operate for a minimum of 48 hours, but typically will operate for much longer.

EPIRBs must have the battery replaced after use, they are good for a single activation per battery.

PLB

PLBs (Personal Locator Beacon(s)) are basically EPIRBs in short pants. Smaller and lighter than EPIRBs, they are typically less expensive as well. The broadcast at the same power as EPIRBs (5.0 watts) but have half the battery life (24 hours minimum vs 48 hours with an EPIRB). As with EPIRBs, they will typically operate much longer than the minimum specified.

Similar to EPIRBs, they must be registered with a national authority and have no operating cost beyond periodic battery replacement.

PLBs, like EPIRBs must have the battery replaced after use, they are good for a single activation per battery.

SEND

SENDs (Satellite Emergency Notification Device(s)) are devices like the InReach, InReach Mini, Garmin InReach Messenger, Zoleo, Spot, Spot X, Yellowbrick, ACR Bivy Stick, Motorola Defy Satellite Link and so on.

These use various commercial satellites or commercial satellite constellations and allow emergency ‘send help’ communications, typically with a dedicated SOS button. They also typically allow two-way communications, like a text or SMS on your phone (some allow this in a self-contained method, some require tethering with a smartphone or tablet). Most operate on the Iridium Satellite Network, which is generally considered to be of the highest quality and offers global coverage. Some use other networks like Globalstar, which does not offer global coverage. They typically operate at about 1.5 watts of transmit power.

Most use the IERCC (International Emergency Response Coordination Center) as their emergency response partner ( WWW.IERCC.COM ). Spot uses Overwatch Rescue ( WWW.OVERWATCHXRESCUE.COM ).

When you press ‘SOS’ on the device, it sends a message via the satellite or satellite constellation to the emergency response partner and they act in a way like the EPIRB response mechanism above, but they call/text you back (if your device allows) as well as calling your emergency contacts.

If the device allows you to send and receive messages you can also initiate a two-way conversation with a shoreside contact for a serious but not life-threatening situation, such as an engine or medical problem.

Most SENDs also support the sending of ‘breadcrumb’ trails while cruising. This is useful to allow shoreside contacts to follow you and leaves a record of your journey should you ‘go dark’ in an emergency that incapacitates you and your crew such that you are unable to activate any of your devices, giving search and rescue teams a starting place to look for you.

Each of these devices, being commercial, requires a subscription. Costs vary.

SENDs are rechargeable and can be used again and again. Battery life varies between units.

There is a good comparative review of many units at ( https://www.treelinereview.com/gearreviews/best-personal-locator-beacons )

DSC Distress Calls

Marine radios (VHF and MF/SSB) can send a DSC (Digital Selective Calling) alert, usually by pressing a red button on the radio. The button usually must be held down for more than 3 seconds to activate it (this to limit the chance of false alerts). This sends a GPS position if your radio contains or is connected to a GPS, plus your MMSI (Marine Mobile Service Identity).

VHF is monitored for these alerts worldwide (withing coverage limits), but coverage via MF/SSB is spotty. (There are propagation issues, and some rescue authorities no longer monitor the frequency. The USCG stopped monitoring the 2182Hz rescue frequency in 2013.)

VHF DSC alerts will be picked up by other vessels within radio range.

This is cost-free.

How do you contact Search and Rescue directly wherever you are?

Each country has SEARCH AND RESCUE NUMBERS.  These can be found on the Ocean Posse website for each area we operate in:

https://oceanposse.com/aruba/#emergencies
https://oceanposse.com/azores/#emergencies
https://oceanposse.com/bahamas/#emergencies

etc

https://oceanposse.com/italy/#emergencies

https://oceanposse.com/mexico/#emergencies

Ocean Posse members can substitute the country you are in to get to the right numbers

What about Cell Phone Satellite Communications?

Some newer cell phones from Apple or Google/Pixel have limited SOS satellite connectivity, and Samsung has announced forthcoming satellite capability. Somewhat klugey, they require manual alignment of the device and use the GlobalStar network. Not all devices have the feature, and some are limited by the carrier. The geographic coverage is quite limited. These should be considered back-ups until the technology becomes more mature.

What should you do to get ready for an emergency?

Select and install your chosen devices and set them up appropriately.

For EPIRBs and PLBs, that means registering them with the appropriate national authorities and mounting their storage brackets in suitable locations. Each device has a testing schedule and protocol, so add reminders to your calendar to ensure you keep up with the schedule.

For SEND devices, ensure you have the appropriate subscription in place and the emergency contacts are registered, and the appropriate contacts are in the device’s address book or contact list. If the device tethers with a smart phone or other device, ensure the appropriate software is installed and up to date, and the tethering connection(s) have been tested. Having the tethering connection enabled on multiple devices adds redundancy. Most send devices get firmware updates from the manufacturer, so find out how your device updates and schedule a check every 90 days or so to ensure you’re up to date. Ensure you have a charging/battery replacement protocol in place so that the device is always charged up or, if it has replaceable batteries, you have spares on hand.

For DSC Alerts, make sure your radio(s) have your MMSI programmed in and have access to a reliable GPS signal, and that the radio(s) have a first-class antenna connection (testing with an SWR meter is the best way to ensure this).

Once the hardware and software are established, train your crew in the use of these devices and make sure they know how and when to use them. Preparing a ‘Cheat Sheet’ of simple instructions that can be posted in a handy spot ensures they are not falling back on memory in an emergency.

You have an emergency, what should you do?

If you are faced with a life-threatening situation or there is an imminent threat of danger such as loss of life, potential loss of life, loss of the vessel, potential loss of the vessel, sinking, fire, loss of the rig, or other serious emergency you should activate all of your emergency communications all at once. If you have all three, use the EPIRB, SEND and DSC alert all at the same time.

  1. The EPIRB will get SAR resources mobilized rapidly on a nation-to-nation basis. It is hands down the most reliable distress signaling mechanism.
  2. The SEND will typically allow two-way communication on the nature of the emergency and what aid is required.
  3. The VHF DSC Alert will summon any nearby vessels to your aid.

If you are faced with a potential life-threatening situation or there is the potential for an imminent threat of danger to develop, you should initiate a two-way communication with a shoreside contact to seek advice and/or advise them of the situation (ideally with one of the emergency contacts for your EPIRB or SEND). This could be via any means available, Cell Phone, Starlink (email, teleconference, etc.), SEND, or whatever works. Nearby vessels should be alerted via a normal VHF radio call. This allows them to be aware of what’s going on and be ready to scale up response appropriately as the situation demands.

Posse Perk

Ocean Posse members have access to additional help from other Posse members who may be nearby and from Posse HQ.  Members can send a message on the Posse line Ap to reach out for nearby vessels.  The Posse Team has assisted in rescue coordination and has connections in many regions with search and rescue and other resources to assist if required. Contact Dietmar at  dietmar@oceanposse.com or text him at ( +1 (702) 861-9823 ) to set the team in motion!


POSSE PERK: FREE PRINTABLE REFERENCE CHARTS

POSSE PERK: 🗺️ FREE PRINTABLE REFERENCE CHARTS

*Emergency Backup To Your Electronics*

Paper chart from Cape Canaveral to Key West, Florida 

Paper charts are an excellent navigational aid ESPECIALLY if electronics fail.  An Ocean Posse Perk gives members access to printable charts along the main routes of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

Printable charts for the South Pacific available
Printable Charts for the Pacific Coast of the Americas available and in use here by the young salts aboard SV WHIRLWIND charting our course south along mainland Mexico toward Panama.

Printable Charts are also available in the Atlantic and many European countries.

IN THE OCEAN POSSE YOU CAN SAIL YOUR OWN SCHEDULE

WITH HARD COPY CHARTS

AVAILABLE FOR PRINT TO ALL MEMBERS


VESSELS ARE GETTING A JUMPSTART ON CRUISING SEASON ON THE PACIFIC COAST

VESSELS ARE GETTING A JUMPSTART

ON CRUISING SEASON IN MEXICO, COSTA RICA, & PANAMA

 

The crew of SV PERCEPTION is happy to be on the move again. Sunset at anchor off Tamarindo Costa Rica.

SY PERCEPTION 🇺🇸 Jim & Melinda & Grace - Lagoon 42'

 

Let the Adventure begin! SV ZORBA is leaving Bocas del Torro for the San Blass Islands of Panama

SV ZORBA 🇲🇭 Tomer & Limor – Tayana 48’

 

 

It’s go time for SV OKISOLLO! Ready to be heading south again! Adios Puerto Penasco.  See you soon in Barra de Navidad!

 

FAIR WINDS


MUST SEE: CIUDAD PERDIDA (LOST CITY) COLUMBIA 🇨🇴

MUST SEE: CIUDAD PERDIDA

(LOST CITY) COLUMBIA 🇨🇴

Ciudad Perdida consists of a series of 169 terraces carved into the mountainside, a net of tiled roads and several small circular plazas.

Hidden deep in the jungle of the Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta mountains in northern Colombia sits an archeological site called Ciudad Perdida, the “Lost City”.  Built by the Tairona people in 800AD predating Machu Pichu by over 600 years.  The Ciudad Perdida archaeological site only became an attraction after it was uncovered in the 1970s.

Los Sepúlveda was a small family of looters in Colombia; their story leads to the beginning of one of the greatest archaeological discoveries in modern times. The family went hunting in the forests of Colombia when they shot down a wild turkey. Upon retrieving the turkey, they noticed it had fallen on a piece of an exposed staircase. This staircase would lead them to find La Ciudad Perdida. For years after its discovery by the looters, “Treasures from the site, including gold figures and ceramics, soon began to appear on the black market”  Archeologists were alerted to these black market treasures and managed to, with the help of indigenous people who protect their ancestral site, trace themselves to the area in 1976.  The area was researched and reconstructed over the next 6 years.

Although La Ciudad Perdida is one of the most impressive sites, it’s not alone, only about 30-40% of the sites in the Sierra Nevada region have actually been explored. Thanks to recent widespread access, more and more of these sites are being discovered, and the search for new lost cities has just begun.

1,200 stone steps built by the Tairona.

Ciudad Perdida was probably the region’s political and manufacturing center on the Buritaca River and may have housed 2,000–8,000 people.

Named Teyuna by the Tairona but dubbed Ciudad Perdida upon rediscovery, the ancient wonder is perched on hillsides and tucked into a dense rainforest.

Lost deep in the mountains
Juan from SY Ay Caramaba ! PP2019-2020 in the – Lost City / Ciudad Perdida

PASSAGE REPORT TO PANAMA FROM COLUMBIA

PASSAGE REPORT TO PANAMA FROM COLUMBIA:

with Check-In Procedure at El Porvenir

After sailing for 2 days from Columbia, SV ATARAXIA is ready to drop the hook and listen to the wind in the palm fronds.

Recently, SV ATARAXIA sailed from northern Columbia to Panama.  They wanted to visit a very unique and special part of Panama: the Guna Yala Archipelago, also known as the San Blas Islands before.  The Archipelago is in northeastern Panamanian waters and is home to the Guna (or Kuna) Yala people, the largest Panamanian indigenous group.  The archipelago is known for being a jewel of Panama with palm covered islands amid clear turquoise water.

SV ATARAXIA wanted to visit this archipelago upon entering Panamanian waters pushing on to the more formal and bustling city of Colon on Panama's mainland, at the northern end of the Panama Canal.  Below Skipper Ludwig shares from his passage notes their experience entering Panama through El Porvenir:

Well, we were right : you should have come. Guna Yala is really beautiful.

We left Cartagena de Indias, Colombia 2 days ago and last night was a pretty calm night. We sailed under main alone and we still were making good enough speed that we had to turn a circle at sea before entering El Porvenir, allowing us to come in during daylight.

We anchored and went ashore to ask where immigration was. El Porvenir is in fact just 1 airstrip for small planes and that explains why there is immigration. But first you need to visit the Comarca Guna Yala congresso office to pay to the indigenous people that own these islands for a ‘cruising permit’, something like an entry fee for paradise. Then it is on to the immigration office. Given there are only 2 buildings or rather structures, it wasn’t all that difficult to find even if you hadn’t slept much the previous night.

When it was finally our turn to be cleared in, all we needed was some extra photocopies (conveniently available at the congresso for 50 cts) and we got our immigration stamps. What about customs? “Go and do that in Colon” we were told. OK, nothing can be perfect not even in paradise.

Noonsite says that you can clear immigration in El Porvenir, and indeed they do. They stamp both your passport and your exit zarpe from Colombia. It looks like a stamp is the only thing they have, so they do not produce any paper, they just....stamp. We had our agent, Erick Galvez request a cruising permit for us beforehand. In fact, we set that in motion a month before arriving in Panama. It still wasn't ready when we got to El Porvenir, an unusual slow process that has since (we were there early June 2024) been sped up. Either way, we were assured by every instance be it official or non-official that our immigration stamps were really the critical ones and we had those!  We received our cruising permit while we were back in the USA and our boat on the hard. While this sounds 'different' from other places, to the Panamanians it seemed pretty obvious. And every single official was friendly, ...and so were we.

While we were anchoring at first light, 2 canoes with Guna women were paddling towards us. We had some trouble finding the right spot to anchor and so these ladies had their rowing workout cut out for them, chasing ATARAXIA.

It is not my preferred thing to do, bartering over molas or other stuff after being awake for half a night, but it was clear these ladies were not going to give up, so we have some very nice molas already to fly home with us.

Molas are typically hand sewn, fabric, works of art that are worn by Guna Yala women and represent protective connection with the spirit world. Selling molas to tourists has become big part of their economy.

Then we moved the boat to Lemon Cays, one of these smaller archipelagoes where all the islands end in ‘dup’ (Bandup, Nuriandup or some other tongue twister). Upon arrival we were greeted by a canoe with 3 fishermen who held up a lobster in the international language of trade. We signaled to hold off a bit so that we could anchor but once that was out of the way, we bought 4 lobster for 5USD per piece. We didn’t even try to get a lower price. With that, you know what Louis, our crew-chef is working on right now.

Fresh lobster for dinner!

Time for the restless to go and explore the underwater world and they came back with all the wonderful things they saw including a shark (a real one, not a nurse shark). While they were doing that, I stayed back to defend the fort, hey someone got to do it, and sure enough we were invaded by a clever bird that flew into the cabin, picked open the plastic packaging of a baguette and decided those baguettes are really good. I agreed and therefore I chased him away. We want to eat that baguette (at least the other part of it).

We intend to stay 2 nights here in this anchorage as there is a lot more to explore.

Ludwig, living the good life.

SV ATARAXIA 🇳🇱 LudwigEtap Yachting 46’

 

THANK YOU FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE LUDWIG!


LOGISTICAL PREPARATIONS

LOGISTICAL PREPARATIONS FOR LEAVING HOME WATERS AND ENTERING NEW COUNTRIES

Certain Papers are required for entering and exiting new countries. Be Prepared.
Roatan Port Captains' office.

Leaving ones home waters and entering a new country is certainly a big change and there are many essential details not to forget.  Checklists are handy tools for preparing for Entry and Exit Requirements.  Beyond the obvious boat essentials like checking your systems, having safety equipment onboard, topping your fluids, and changing your zincs, please see the checklist below for details not to be forgotten when setting out on a long distance voyage with the Ocean Posse.

  • If an EPIRB is onboard a US flagged vessel, register it with the NOAA.  Before leaving confirm that all information is current.  This includes vessel name, your primary phone number, emergency contact name/s and address/es: https://beaconregistration.noaa.gov/RGDB/registrationRequirements
  • A Ship Stations License is required by the FCC for travelling in international territories: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/maritime-mobile/ship-radio-stations/ship-radio-stations
  • Make sure the MMSI number of your vessel is registered in your name: https://www.fcc.gov/wireless/bureau-divisions/mobility-division/maritime-mobile/ship-radio-stations/maritime-mobile
  • Have your boat documentation or registration up to date and in order.  NOTE: most countries (and the Panama Canal Authorities) are requiring international navigation documentation indicating nationality and ownership over state registration.  Check with your destination country.
  • If the boat is documented or registered in the name of someone not present or the name of a business or organization: a letter notarized by the documented vessel owner authorizing the captain and crew to be operating the vessel is required to enter other countries (and transit the Panama Canal).  It is imperative to have both the original and copies of all notarized documents.
  • Depending on the country you enter you will buy a Temporary Import Permit which allows the vessel to enter the country.  This is an important document to keep with the vessel the entire time in the country of entry.  This document is also required upon exiting many countries.
  • Current passport for everyone onboard ideally good for the duration of your stay abroad.
  • Many countries require a Crew List upon entry which states everyone onboard, their Date of Birth, their rank on the vessel and their passport number.
  • If navigating into Mexico, Mexican Liability Insurance is required to Navigate in Mexican waters.
  • If navigating in Mexico, the captain is required to show a boaters education card, ASA certification, or a captains license upon exiting the country.
  • Outside of the United States, when exiting one country and entering another you will need an authorized document of exit (called a zarpe throughout Central America) from one country in order to enter the next country.
  • Wherever you go along the route, be prepared for entry and exit requirements and seasonal changes.

It is not entirely uncommon for requirements to vary port to port.  The best practice is to be prepared with everything and not be asked for them than to be asked for something you do not have.

Adventure calls.

 


SAILORS HAVE BEEN USING THE GULF STREAM FOR CENTURIES

The Gulf Stream is part of a global conveyor belt of ocean current that mixes global ocean waters (salinity density and temperature) around the globe.  Like creatures of the sea, sailors have been using different currents in this conveyor belt for centuries.  A very important current in the Atlantic Ocean is the Gulf Stream. Basically, SE trade winds blow and drive warm surface water from the mid/south Atlantic between Western Africa and Northeastern South America northwest through the Caribbean to the Gulf of Mexico.  The turning of the earth and the west winds then drive this current north east up eastern North America.  As the gulf stream gets more north it splits in a few different directions towards Europe and the North Atlantic.

The Gulf Stream is very important for the European climate as it brings warm air to the continent that would otherwise be quite cool.  The Gulf Stream is 10,000 km long and moves at 2m/sec making it the largest and fastest of all the ocean currents on earth.  Some people liken it to a river of water in the ocean.  The Gulf Stream was discovered by early Spanish explorers over 500 years ago and was used to both colonize the West and bring wealth and fortune back to Spain.  For this reason the Gulf Stream has had a huge impact on the history and culture of the Caribbean, the Americas and Europe.

Movement of early Spanish ships using the Gulf Stream to go From Spain and back to Spain with strategic stops for trading along the way.

Consider Christopher Columbus’s final transatlantic voyage, when conquistadors carved out a vast and wealthy overseas empire for Spain, first in the Caribbean as far north as what is now Florida and then on the mainlands of Mexico, Central America, Colombia, Venezuela, and Peru: these early ships used the Gulf Stream.  Products of these tropical and mountainous territories brought high prices on the Continent, and Spanish galleons sailed home laden with exotic dyes, sugar, tobacco, chocolate, pearls, hardwoods, and silver and gold. These so-called “treasure fleets” made Spain the most powerful and envied nation in Renaissance Europe. Thanks to the travels of Ponce de Leon in 1513, Spanish navigators knew that the best return route from Spain’s rich Caribbean possessions was along the Gulf Stream, through the Bahama Channel, and past the shores of Florida. The Spanish knew they must defend this peninsula to prevent enemies from using its harbors as havens from which to raid the passing treasure fleets.  The Spanish built Forts to defend their positions in the New World.  One such Fort was built on the East Coast of modern day Florida:

🇺🇸 CASTILLO SAN MARCOS, St Augustine Florida

Spanish erect and protect Castillo San Marcos in the 16th century
Today the Fort can be viewed and visited from the anchorage.

See https://oceanposse.com/castillo-san-marcos/ to learn more about the Spanish Must See Fort along the Ocean Posse route in San Augustine, Florida.

In 1513 Spain claimed Florida through the expedition of Ponce de Leon

For Ocean Posse vessels looking to cross the Atlantic Ocean the Gulf Stream has been and continues to be very important voyage planning consideration.  Two big challenges are the higher amount of large vessel traffic in the Gulf Stream and the warmer water in the Gulf Stream which translates to thunderstorms or worse. For these two reasons many mariners cross the Gulf Stream as quickly as possible relative to their destination.


POSSE PERK: Free aid to navigation 150 Gb OpenCPN satellite charts (mac/pc/android)

POSSE PERK: 🗺️ Free aid to navigation

150 Gb OpenCPN satellite charts (mac/pc/android)

PLUS vetted tracks to safe anchorages

Ocean Posse member SV Whirlwind's navigation station prepping to enter Raroia, Tuamotus.  Three data sets: Radar (top left), Navionics with satellite overlan (bottom left), & OpenCPN (Bottom right) with vetted tracks overlayed on satellite chart to follow safe route through the Raroia Atoll in the Tuamotus.

Open CPN is a chartplotter navigation software that allows mariners to upload multiple charts and satellites images that can be overlayed on one another to confirm what one sees (or does not see) with the chart.  It is a huge departure from the days of early explorers that navigated by compass, distant accounts, clouds, and stars.  Open CPN takes navigating to a whole different level filled with information.  Ocean Posse members have access to relavent Open CPN Charts and Files that aid navigation and keep vessels and crews safer on the water.  SV Whirlwind used Open CPN above to navigate an entrance through a passage in a reef into an atoll.

They went from this:

Outside the Atoll the open Ocean

To This:

 

Mike setting floats on our anchor chain in Raroia, Tuomotus
Bliss

Ocean Posse members have access to Open CPN Charts, tracks, and How to Seminars

STAY SAFE AND NAVIGATE WITH CONFIDENCE

*IMPORTANT OpenCPN Version 5.10.0 was released August 10, 2024*

5.10.0 is a service/maintenance version to 5.8.4.

OpenCPN 5.10.0 series contains some new features and improvements "under the hood". Many of these changes make OpenCPN work even better.
.

Among them are:

- Grib plugin adds direct GRIB file download capability from multiple online resources.
- Enhanced native NMEA2000 network interface capability from numerous third party gateway devices.
- Update core wxWidgets support to wx3.25.
- Full support for Flatpak on virtually all linux distributions, for both x86 and Arm64 architectures.
- Native support for generic Debian linux distributions, particularly plugin system.
- Improved OpenGL graphics support and performance on all platforms.
- Incorporated extensive user feedback to resolve various UI flaws and functional errors.
- Improved embedded User Manual, mirroring evolving online Wiki presentation.
- Improved reliability and stability across all platforms.

It can be downloaded at https://opencpn.org/OpenCPN/info/downloadopencpn.html

 


MEET THE FLEET: SV GARGOYLE

MEET THE FLEET: SV GARGOYLE

Kevin & Carla

SV GARGOYLE on anchor

From the moment Kevin and Carla departed Vancouver BC on May 31, 2019, their first “real” goal was to be in Barra de Navidad in time for the 2019 Panama Posse kickoff meeting at the end of November. That first five months and 4,000 + NM set the tone for the crew of SV Gargoyle, a 2011 Beneteau Oceanis 50. Kevin, Carla, along with their two cats, Sam and Dean, have been sailing proudly under a Posse banner of one flavor or another ever since.

Posse in Puesta del Sol, Nicaragua...on COVID lockdown

2020 highlights included being locked down in Puesta del Sol, Nicaragua with a number of other posse members. Once they were allowed to leave, Gargoyle beat upwind for nine days to the Galapagos to be one of the first yachts post-COVID to be allowed into these magical islands. After two months in paradise with the islands to themselves, it was time to head East for their first Panama Canal transit and a planned May 2021 Atlantic transit. Insert the Omnicom variant into the story and with Portugal telling them they wouldn’t be allowed into the Azores; they made a 180 degree turn back to Panama for canal transit number two. The decision was now to go the other way to the Med, via the Pacific!

Departing from Marina Papagayo in March 2022 with Dietmar wishing us fair winds from the dock, Gargoyle made a 30-day passage to Nuku Hiva, followed by a season cruising French Polynesia and Fiji. Spending cyclone season in New Zealand, they experienced not one but two cyclones. Leary of the Red Sea they decided to ship Gargoyle with Posse Partner Sevenstar Yacht Transport from Auckland to Cork Ireland in May 2023.

SV GARGOYLE on the Transport through the Panama Canal for the third time.

After Gargoyle made her 3rd Panama Canal transit, albeit without her crew, what followed was a magical summer in Ireland and Scotland before a late summer run to Spain, Portugal and then the Med. A winter in Tunisia followed by this season’s cruising in Malta, Sicily, Italy, up to Venice, Greece and now where they sit anchored off Bodrum, Turkey. 24 countries, 40,000NM and yes, Sam and Dean are still rocking it with their human crew.

Carla and Sam in the cockpit.
Dean's got it made in the shade.

Follow us on....

Instagram  https://www.instagram.com/sv_gargoyle/

Facebook   https://www.facebook.com/svgargoyle50

YouTube     https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOihVJ744XS4CoB71HixcFw/

Kevin and Carla are always available as well for a call or email exchange with their fellow cruisers. sailinggargoyle@gmail.com

SV GARGOYLE 🇨🇦 Kevin & Carla - Beneteau Oceanis 50

 

THANK YOU KEVIN & CARLA FOR BEING A PART OF THE POSSE FOR SO MANY YEARS!


BOCAS DEL TORO BEACH CLEAN UP

BOCAS DEL TORO BEACH CLEAN UP

Beach clean up crew in Bocas del Torro, Panama
Stewardship in action: So much plastic we find on the beaches we visit is floating in from somewhere else. Local people appreciate all the help we can give to keep their beaches clean.

Report from Maison de Sante:

We had a nice group of Posse boats and local residents here in Bocas Del Toro, Panama who came out this morning for clean up on Red Frog beach. Many pounds of plastic garbage was collected 😊. The strangest items collected included a bicycle mud flap, a scuba purge valve, and a diaper🤢. Some people had to leave early so not everyone is pictured. Stay tuned for a future date where we can ALL participate in beach clean up wherever you are located!

SY BISOU 🇦🇺 Robin and Tad - Fountaine Pajot 44′ & SY MAISON DE SANTÉ 🇺🇸 Nicole & Keenan -  Cal 46'

THANK YOU FOR BEING STEWARDS OF OUR ENVIRONMENT!