FLEET UPDATE 2022-02-20

Feb 20, 2022

PANAMA POSSE 
FLEET UPDATE 

 

TOP NEWS THIS WEEK

1) Dominican Republic Drops all Covid Restrictions as Pandemic Wanes
2) Panama Posse grows to 347 yachts from 25 flag states

 

1) DOMINICAN REPUBLIC ENDS MASK MANDATE 
AND ALL OTHER COVID-19 RULES

The Dominican Republic ended all COVID-19 public health restrictions on
Thursday, including a mask mandate and vaccine checks in public spaces,
despite not yet reaching the government’s vaccination target of 70%
coverage for adults

President Luis Abinader made the announcement on social media and in a televised message late Wednesday.

After this long battle, we started to get our freedom back. From now on, we
will all have to take care of ourselves, responsibly, but without
restrictions, ”he indicated. With the announcement of the president, the
responsibility of taking care of COVID-19 acquires an individual
character. “The government did what it had to do to protect our people
and time has proven us right in our actions against the pandemic,” he
added. 

Health Minister Daniel Rivera told reporters on Thursday that ending the containment measures was due to “constant reductions” in both COVID-19 infections and death rates.

Unlike most Caribbean countries, the country doesn’t require proof of
vaccination, a Covid test or quarantine for most incoming visitors.

This
news has been confirmed by  our Panama Posse DR liaison Denise
Simpson and has been updated on our quarantine page>>

 

2)  PANAMA POSSE WELCOMES 
OUR NEWEST MEMBERS TO THE FLEET

339  SY MAJESTIC 🇺🇸 Cindy & Doug & crew –  St. Francis 44′

340 SY INDIAN SUMMER 1  🇦🇺  Ian and Melian – Fountaine Pajot 39′

341  SY ALWAYS  🇺🇸 Tim, Clay & Phil  – Seawind 41′

342 SY JETWAVE AVALON 🇺🇸  Andrew & Sharlene – PeterWormwoodDesigns 55′

343  SY BABA BUOY 🇺🇸 Myles  – Westsail 32′

344  SY OSTRIKA 🇨🇭 Patrick & Sara – Oyster 55′

345  SY IKIGAI 🇦🇺  Paul – Jeanneau 44′

346 MY KITTIWAKE  🇺🇸  Charles & Lynda – Washburn & Doughty 72′’

347  MY NOONSUN 🇺🇸 Edward & Amie – St Francis 50′

 Panama Posse fleet tracking to be added follow this link >>

3) MEET THE FLEET

SY SANUK  🇻🇬  Alexandre & Isabelle & crew – Nautitech 40′

SY ONE RUNNIN 🇺🇸  Larisa & Jerry – Maxim 38′

 SY COLIBRI – Joanna, David & Crew – Fountaine Pajot 39′

3) MY HO’OKIPA CIRCUMNAVIGATES COIBA

MY HO’OKIPA at anchor at Isla Coiba, PANAMA 

Isla Parida to Isla Seca & Isla Cavada “Isla Seca – nice anchorage with clear water and good snorkeling;

Isla Pargo – great anchorage and reefs; cell spotty and weak.

Isla Seca to Isla Brincanco
(part of Coiba) Drop hook in 20′ and clear of corals –  the low
tide & winds will suck you towards shore and scrape your bottom on
the corals; Reef was 10-35′ and excellent diving & snorkeling; Cell
spotty and weak.

Isla Brincanco to Isla Uva
(part of Coiba) gorgeous anchorage!!! Discovered a new uncharted super
healthy reef which we dedicated to Suzanne Dubose and named “Aunt Gwen’s
Reef” – had a school of 20 Devil Rays and ton s of “large” reef fish;
zero cell and no WIFI.

Isla Uva to Bahia Honda
calm; 2 canoes came out trying to sel crafts and asking for gifts; zero
fruit or veggies; tienda in the village had rum, beer, coke. Zero cell
and no WIFI; No fresh fruit or veggies available.

Bahia Honda to Isla Santa Catalina
Easy anchorage with nice breeze; 10′ tides; Town has very good fruits
& veggie store; 2 mini-markets are ok; No banks or ATMS; Lots of
dive shops; Surfing is very advanced. Good cell and WIFI available.

Isla Santa Catalina to Isla Coiba and
surrounding islands “4.5 hrs to Ranger station; Ranger charged us $60 a
day and said we could pay for 7 and stay for 10 days  $50 fishing permit for a week; Secret cell spot on top of hill;

Rancheria –
Anchored in 20′ – snorkling was poor viz in anchorage cove but got
better at Igelesias and Don Juan – strong current!! Went to Rancheria
shore for a stroll to see the old farm; Went diving with guide Julie and
her son Damian @ Coiba Dive Center to Bajon Frioles and Frioles to 71′
on 2 dives – saw white tip sharks, hawksbill turtle, octopus, school of
jacks, eel. No coral, strong current and vis was 20-30′; 

Isla Cocos –
wonderful anchorage on north west corner; amzing scuba dive on south
east corner w/50′ vis, many lobsters, a friendly turtle, some sharks,
school of houndfish, etc.;

Bahia Damas – nice beach. Coral reef was challenged and not much viz;

Isla Jicaron – north anchorage was a soft landing, nice beach coastline to explore with howler monkeys. Water viz not much;

Jicarita –
sweet!  Anchored south of channel in cove with picturesque beach.
Wickedly beautiful sea caves all the way to the southern point.
Snorkeling south side of the isla channel reef wall good, and Scuba on
the inside channel reef wall with very good viz. Sharks, Octopus, large
Groupers, Lobsters, much more…spearfished two lobsters for Valentine’s
Day lunch!!!

Hermosa – did a drive by and decided to keep going cuz the water viz was zero and there was no appearant snorkeling opportunities;

Santa Cruz
– nice quiet anchorage; water viz not great; took a nice ride up the
river for 10mins on the tender; the SE side of bay has a rocky
outcropping that has a small reef with coral;

Isla Canal De Afuera –
gorgeous clean clear anchorage with lots of coral – saw 4 turtles on
1st snorkel; did a lookie-loo at dive site Arrecif De Ancia on south
side of isla, but need more info to self guide.”

In 1992, Panama created Coiba National Park, encompassing over 1,042
square miles of islands, forests, beaches, mangroves and coral reefs,
and in July 2005, Unesco declared it a World Heritage Site.

The only overnight facility available in the Coiba National Park is at the
ANAM ranger station. The station offers several modest 2 room cabins
with air conditioning. To Contact ANAM call (507) 998-0615 or the
National Park office (507) 998-4271. Subject to Park fees  

Boca Chica to Isla Parida “Ensenada Los Negros – nice, a tad rolly; 

Ensenada del Varadero
– sweet cove surrounded by 5 palm tree lined beaches – anchored in 7′
at low tide – very quiet with no noise or light pollution; 

Playa Del Socoro – shallow sandy bottom with decent viz. Nice easy swim to beach. Views of the mainland and mountains; cell spotty and weak.”

 The
park includes Coiba island, 38 smaller islands off the southwest coast
of Panama, and the surrounding marine areas within the Gulf of Chiriquí
providing protection for coral reefs, humpback whales, pilot whales,
killer whales, dolphins, sea turtles, manta rays, marlins and other
marine creatures. 

Coiba is on the Panama Posse must see list >>

Often
referred to as “PANAMA’S GALAPAGOS,” Coiba National Park  with
astounding biodiversity and wildlife that can’t be found anywhere else
on earth. One of the largest marine parks in the world and the last
refuge for a number of threatened animals.

We
just wrapped 21 days of cruising Coiba and the many islands inside the
park boundary and adjacent. Truly blissful exploration, snorkeling and
scuba diving. Pay to play – check in at the park headquarters, we got 10
days for 7 pay to enjoy. Provision in Boca Chica/Pedregal or Santa
Catalina. And there is zero cell, except for a secret spot at the park
HQ. Hands down the best cruising ground in Central America we have
experienced in my humble gestalt certified …

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

4)  THE BOATYARD 

AcuRite Iris  5-in-1   Weather Station with LCD Display and Lightning Detection counts lighting strikes ~ $ 170 

What we use to count lighting strikes in Panama

SY TOKETEE – Dar, Diane & Kimberly – Skookum 53′

YOUR EXPERIENCE COUNTS 

Call for Service provider data and fuel price data

Every
vessel has their own journey and along the way you have encountered
service providers – please let us know about what works and what doesn’t
we’ll publish this list and facts to the Panama Posse fleet
anonymously 

We
all want to know the good the bad and the ugly please provide your
feedback on service providers you have used with this simple form –
we’ll update the results as soon as we get this data from you – just
takes a few seconds and helps the next yacht !-> https://panamaposse.com/service-provider

Fuel prices are going up – here is Respite in  San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua taking on fuel – Please let us know the fees and prices you paid –>

6) DESTINATIONS AND EXCURSIONS

LAS GRUTAS & TAXCO, MEXICO

We visited one of the world’s largest cave systems called Las Grutas Cacahuamilpa just 40 mins from Taxco by bus or combi. 

The
park has two underground rivers called the Chontalcoatlán, which is
eight km long, and the San Jeronimo, which is 12 km long. The tunnels
that have been formed by these rivers are still completely active, as
the water continues to cut away little by little at the rock. Both have
areas with rocks and sandy beaches on each side and the darkness is
complete in much of the tunnels’ lengths.   

Grutas
de Cacahuamilpa Caverns, which are one of the largest cave systems in
the world. It is also home to the Grutas of Carlos Pacheco, a smaller
system, as well as two subterranean rivers which have carved out tunnels
in the rock.

Tours
of the open cave system run every hour and last about two hours.
On the walkway to the entrance there are a couple of amate trees
with their roots wound around the rocky walls of Limontitla
Canyon. 

The entrance is a large arch about forty meters wide and twelve meters
tall. From the entrance, one descends about twenty meters to the level
of the caverns. The path has a mostly level cement walkway, and there is
artificial illumination on both the path and parts of the salons. Parts
of the movie Tarzan and the Valley of Gold were filmed at the caverns.

After the Conquest, the existence of the caves was kept hidden from the
Spaniards by the indigenous peoples.  Credit for the “discovery” of
the caves is given to Manuel Sainz de la Peña Miranda, who used the
caves in 1834 to hide from Spanish authorities, which prompted a
thorough search of the area.  In 1866, Dominik Bilimek and Maximiliano von Habsburg made the first biospeleological visit to the cave.

The Parroquia de Santa Prisca y San Sebastían, commonly known as the Church
of Santa Prisca, is a colonial monument located in the city of Taxco de
Alarcón, in the southern state of Guerrero, Mexico, built between 1751
and 1758.

Great city and natural wonders all around to visit!

SY PATHFINDER  🇺🇸  Jean-Philippe & Nicole  – Lagoon 39′

7) CONCEPTION ISLAND, EXHUMAS, BAHAMAS

Conception Island is an islet located in the Bahamas and reaches 25 m (82 ft) above sea level. 

It is an important rookery for nesting seabirds and hatching site for
green turtles. It is uninhabited and protected as part of the Conception
Island National Park. 

The beach felt like silky snow.  It is an important sanctuary for migratory birds, nesting sea birds and
green turtles, in addition to a rookery for nesting seabirds and a
hatching site for green turtles. 

Conception Island was established in 1964 as one of the National Parks of The
Bahamas. The park consists of 25,173 acres. Christopher Columbus is said
to have also landed here in 1492.

SY SLOW DANCER – Dale & Kenneth – Hunter 39′

8)  PANAMA POSSE SUPERBOWL 
PARTIES AND GATHERINGS

BLESSED LIFE Bob and Margie

DELTA SWIZZLER Mark & Cindy + SHEARWATER Eric and Pati 

YAHTZEE Captain and Crew 

YAHTZEE ADMIRAL Jill and Crew 

CARINTHIA Suzanne & Dietmar + RED ROVER Kevin & Alison + GARGOYLE Kevin & Carla + NIRVANA Bob & Sherry + ONE LIFE Doug & Mary + Captain Peter from a Farr 70

CONGRATULATIONS LA RAMS 
The
Panama Posse watches the big game via Slingshot, Sat TV, Local Bar
Cable TV, VPN’ed and internet connections a.m.o. all along the route.
Watching events happen “by any means necessary” to watch the game.

9)  REPORT FROM GOLFO DE FONSECA HONDURAS 

Boundless exploring the 3 Maritime areas and volcanoes of the  Golfo de Fonseca

Lot’s to explore and easy check in and check out in Honduras – 

SY BOUNDLESS 🇺🇸 Julian & Colin –  Passport 42′

10) AIDS TO NAVIGATION 
MISCHARTED ROCK IN BAHIA HUEVOS

WARNING IN COSTA RICA ANCHORAGE:  Bahia Huevos, just NW of Marina
Papagayo.   In both the Pat Rains and Charlie’s Charts have
chartlets showing an anchorage on the S side of the bay that is actually
a location of a rock that is exposed at lower tides.  I believe
both authors have their anchor located one indent east too far.  In
Pat’s guide, her x marks a hazard appears to be in a bay that is
preferred.   We cruised quickly through that bay without seeing a
hazard but obviously my review is not complete.  I feel her x and
anchor marks are switched.  In the photo I will post next I marked
the location of the exposed rock with radar at N 10.636 W 85.680.
The Yellow x is where Pat has her X in the guidebook.   This
is also a bay that many day charters use to anchor.  I will try and
add the hazard to Good Nautical when I have more service.  To that
point, the rock is visible in sat imagery…

Night Passages with full moon to reduce the effect of the Papagayo Winds 

Mischarted rocks have been addedd to Good Nautical 

Red Rover’s Maximo on sunset alert

MY RED ROVER – Kevin and Alison – Nordhavn’ 55

11) PANAMA POSSE SEASON AWARDS CATEGORIES 

 

HERE ARE THE CATEGORIES 

    BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT* ✔ 

    PICTURE OF THE YEAR ✔  

    PANAMA POSSE 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 ✔  

    NEWLY ADDED – BOAT YOGA POSE OF THE YEAR ✔

*non billfish entries only 

Every
season at the awards ceremony in Panama we give out some valuable
liquid prizes and free weeks in marinas to the winners and sometimes
even to the runners up , and of course Flor de Caña Rum. 

12)  PICTURE OF THE WEEK 

Somewhere in the middle of Gulfo de Tehuantepec  

SY CODDIWOMPLE 🇺🇸 Jessica & Bram – Ta Shing 40′ 

MORE PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Sunset in Bocas del Toro

Relaxing at StarFish Beach Bocas Del Toro. 

Flor de Caña vs Tequila ? Yes, i know we were tasting tequila in Flora de Caña Territory…..

MY DELTA SWIZZLER 🇺🇸 Mark and Cindy – Vantare 58′

 

MORE PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Here’s
a photo and update for you SV Isidore in making way down the Bahama
chain towards  Panama through the Windward Passage.

SY ISIDORE 🇨🇦  Kate & George – Tashing Tashiba 36′

13) UNWELCOME VISITOR IN PUERTO VALLARTA 

SY YO-D-YO 🇺🇸 David & Mary – Hunter 45′ 

14)  FREE EBOOK 
” THE BIRDS OF MARINA CHIAPAS “

A lovely ebook has been made availabel by the Panama Posse S3 veterans
and bird watchers extradornaire Bill & Lisanne – 
Please follwo this link to view it https://panamaposse.com/birds-of-chiapas

SY 🇺🇸  ROCINANTE Lisanne Aerts & Bill Streever – Pearson 44′

15) PANAMA POSSE CONVOYS

 

Violent incidents appear to be executed by “part-time pirates”,

fisherman who organize on an ad hoc basis and seize targets of

opportunity in the absence of effective law enforcement.  They do

not target larger commercial vessels at this time.

Geographically,
the Honduran and Nicaraguan east coasts do not provide harbor for
larger vessels and the national navies are small and poorly equipped to

deal with the issue, as they are small forces primarily designed for

dealing with coastal and riverine security.  The naval forces are

under-resourced.

As the incidents normally occur well offshore, often between 75 and 125

 miles from land, they are beyond VHF radio range from shore bases, and

in
any case it is believed the relevant navies do not effectively maintain
a 24/7 radio watch. It is uncertain what other illegal activities these
part time pirates may engage in.

While these areas are variously within the territorial waters or exclusive

economic
zones of Colombia, Guatemala, or Honduras, they are not effectively
patrolled or policed by any of these states.  Adding complication
to the situation, some areas including the Serranilla Bank are disputed
territories.

For
westbound vessels, a transit of the Venezuelan coast from Trinidad to
the ABCs and Columbia is often undertaken.  For vessels leaving
Colombia to points north, a close approach to the easternmost stretch of
the Venezuelan coast is also unavoidable.  There has also been an
increase in piracy activities in the coastal waters near Trinidad,
believed to be the actions of Venezuelan smugglers area.

TO SET UP A CONVOY between 4 vessels ( lead vessel must be US FLAGGED ) 

security @ panamaposse dot com

16) PANAMA POSSE MARINA SPONSORS 

🇺🇸 Safe Harbor South Bay – Chula Vista, USA

🇲🇽 Marina Coral, Ensenada – 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  

🇨🇷 Marina Pez Vela – Costa Rica 

🇨🇷 Marina Bahia Golfito – 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  

🇵🇦 IGY Red Frog Marina – Panama

🇵🇦 Bocas Marina – Panama 

🇵🇦 Linton Bay Marina – Panama 

🇨🇴 ClubNautico Cartagena – Colombia 

🇨🇴 Club de Pesca Marina Cartagena – 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 

🇲🇽 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 

🇧🇸 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  

🇺🇸 York River Yacht Haven – Virginia , USA  

🇺🇸 Yorktown Riverwalk Landing – Virginia USA  

🇺🇸 Regatta Point Marina – Deltaville, Virginia USA 

The docks at Marina Nanajuana, Rio Dulce, Guatemala

17)  PANAMA POSSE  SPONSORS 

• SHELTER ISLAND INFLATABLES 
• PREDICT WIND
• SEVENSTAR YACHT TRANSPORT
• HOME DEPOT PRO MEXICO
• HERTZ RENTAL CARS  MEXICO
• YACHT AGENTS GALAPAGOS 
• FLOR DE CAÑA
• CALIFORNIA YACHT MARINA
• WESTMARINE PRO
• SAILMAIL  

MEXICO PACIFIC ANCHORAGES MARINAS DANGER AND PORT INFORMATION IS IN GOOD NAUTICAL

18) SEVENSTAR YACHT TRANSPORT

 SPONSORS THE PANAMA POSSE

More info on Sevenstar™s services can be found on https://www.sevenstar-yacht-transport.com/

Who is Sevenstar Yacht Transport?

Sevenstar is the world’s leading provider of yacht shipping services on a lift-on, lift-off basis.  

For a quote with the Panama Posse discount please contact 
Kris Caren  kris@sevenstar-usa.com   sevenstar-usa.com

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

Erick Gálvez

info@centenarioconsulting.com

www.centenarioconsulting.com

Cellphone +507 6676-1376

WhatsApp +507 6676-1376

20) STRATEGIC PARTNERS
 

SEVEN SEAS CRUISING ASSOCIATION

Vicente’s Moorings – Acapulco – Mexico

ONESAILS MEXICO – Puerto Vallarta – Mexico

Park Avenue Villas – San Juan del Sur – Nicaragua

Coconutz – Playa Cocos – Costa Rica

Abernathy – Chandlery – Panama

Pacific Posse 

Advertising Partners – Las Vegas

Safe-Esteem.com – Delaware

WE OPERATE UNDER INTERNATIONAL MARITIME LAW

YOUR VESSEL YOUR CREW YOUR RESPONSIBILITY 

SY KYRIE entering the bar in El Salvador

panama posse communications 
 @ 9811 w charleston blvd 2262 89117 Summerlin USA

 

© 2022 Panama Posse / Good Nautical Inc