Sun Feb 09 2025 13:17:00 UTC-5 Motored out of the anchorage, put all three sails up, motor is off. Doi g 6.5 knots on a broad reach
And we’re off!
08ยฐ 49.5366′ S 140ยฐ14.8833′ W โHa’ahopu Bay FP all to our selves
After over a month sea we made it to French Polynesia, hearts full, and sails at rest (for a few days). Every mile was worth it in moments like this.
SY JUBEL ๐จ๐ฆ Kyle & Leah – Gulfstar 44′
2) PICTURES OF THE WEEK
Beautiful Santa Marta Colombia!
MY MARTINI ๐บ๐ธ Bryan and Mary – Nordhavn 63′
SY Paikea just crossed the equator and got a visit from Neptune
0ยฐ 00.030′ S 86ยฐ 00.677′ W
SY PAIKEA ๐ฉ๐ช Thomas & Barbara – Bavaria 37′
Blue marlin caught on our way to Hiva Oa – 7ft 3inch long
SY ATARAXIA ๐ณ๐ฑ Ludwig & ETAP YACHTING 46′
The moon setting as we were lifting anchor this morning at 6:15. The Norther winds that were blowing subsided. So, we headed North to Agua Verde. We will sit out another Norther that is predicted to blow this week before we head further North to Loreto.
On our way here today, we spotted Orcas for the first time. They were too far out to get a good picture. Plus, they didnโt come very far out of the water when surfacing. You could see their spouts. At first we thought they were dolphins. But, their taller fins gave us the clue. I did catch one leaping out of the water with my binoculars! Fantastic
Puerto Agua Verde BCS ๐ฒ๐ฝ MEXICO
MV DELTA SWIZZLER ๐บ๐ธ Mark & Cindy – Vantare 58′
Sunset @ Santa Marta ๐บ๐ธ COLOMBIA
SY MAISON DE SANTE Keenan & Nicole – Cal 46′
Sundowners on the beach at the beautiful Hirafa anchorage on Fakarava with Zephyr, Downshifting, Gerty and Jabulo.
MY DOWNSHIFTING ๐บ๐ธ Carine – Nordhavn 47′
Moonrise Laguna Porras, Bocas del Toro PANAMA
SY PATHFINDER ๐บ๐ธ JP & Nicole – Lagoon 39′
Good one tonight at Big Bight Bocas del Toro PANAMA
.. found the worst bathroom in Panama.
MY TIDINGS OF JOY ๐บ๐ธ Jeff & Joy – DeFever 52′
MY Serenity, SY Serenity, MY Crackerjack & MY Pause get together at SBM before heading different directions
Jungle staring back at you @ Golfo Dulce ๐จ๐ท COSTA RICA share your secret anchorages
4) OCEAN POSSE PICTURE OF THE YEAR AWARD ENTRIES
Galatea at Buporgana SY GALATEA ๐บ๐ธ Sarah & Mark – Morgan 46′
Platina II – Michelle & Marty have departed Panama City. Enroute to Las Perlas islands and Galapagos. Looking forward to the first leg of our passage to FP and seeing May of you in the Marquesas Platina II enjoying a nice sail to Galapagos finally. Day 1 saw Parasailor conditions. Shot by buddies in Marelief
SY PLATINA II ๐จ๐ฆ Michelle & Martin – Saturn 48′
Entering Rio Dulce ๐ฌ๐น Guatemala
SY RAMBLE ON ROSE ๐บ๐ธ Don & Roz – Caliber 40′
5) UNEXPECTED NAVAL ENCOUNTERS
FYI, big fishing fleet between 2 and 3 degrees south, 95 to 98 west. I wasn’t expecting this much company out here… THE CHINESE FISHING FLEET
SY EVENSTAR ๐บ๐ธGeorge & Giselle – Lagoon 42′
6) GOING๐ดTROPPO ?
When youโve spent so much time in the tropics and time feels optional, and you start to believe that talking to geckos and birds is a valid form of social interaction. ๐ฆ๐น๐
TAKE THE OCEAN POSSE TROPPO TEST
1) ๐ฌ Do you believe that dolphins you meet are trying to communicate (secret) messages to you?
Bonus points if youโve attempted to โtalk backโ or wave with clicks and whistles. ๐๐
2) ๐ Have you forgotten what putting on shoes feel like?
Bonus points if flip-flops are your “business casual” attire
3) ๐ Are your sunset expectations have become a bit unrealistic, with ratings like โlingering Green Flashโ or “Spinner dolphin double axel ripple” sunset ?
Do you find yourself waiting for a whaleโs tale to touch the horizon exactly when the sun dips?
4) ๐ Do you consider weather or tide apps unnecessary because you can โfeel it in your kneesโ?
5) ๐น Is your cocktail garnish now just whatever random organic item you find on deck?
6) ๐ Do you have to remind yourself of basic social etiquette when talking with โland peopleโ?
Bonus troppo points if you accidentally say โaye, roger or copy that โ instead of โyes.โ
7) ๐ฆ Have you started giving names and personalities to nearby, lobster, fish, birds or crabs?
โThatโs Larry. Heโs a bit of a jerk, always scuttling sideways.โ
8) ๐งญ Do you instinctively use nautical terms on land?
โLetโs haul out for lunchโ or โIโll meet you on the starboard side of the coffee shop.โ
9) ๐ Do you occasionally loose track of what day of the week it is?
Bonus troppo points if youโre unsure of the month year or even decade.
10) ๐ฉณ Do you continue wearing shorts long after theyโve developed multiple holes and stains are now part of the pattern ?
Bonus points if you claim theyโre now โcustom ventilation.โ
so sorry Rick – we couldn’t help ourselves
โ Score yourself:
0-3 Landlubber โ Youโre still pretty grounded.
4-6 Moderately Troppo โ Youโre losing touch but still know what pants are.
7-10 Full Troppo ๐ดโ Youโve transcended land-based reality. Welcome to the club.
Built in 1631 by the Dutch, this fort offers incredible views of Great Bay and Philipsburg. It played a key role in the colonial battles between the Dutch, Spanish, and British. You can still see some old cannons and ruins.
SAILING AND CRUISING IN SINT MAARTEN ๐ธ๐ฝ JUST GOT A LOT EASIER & AFFORDABLE
10) HISTORIC DEPICTION ๐ HERNรN CORTรS
“Hernรกn” (2019-) is a historical drama series that dramatizes the conquest of Mexico by Spanish conquistador Hernรกn Cortรฉs, focusing on the clash of cultures and perspectives from both the Spanish and native peoples. Available on AMAZON PRIME
The series follows Hernรกn Cortรฉs’s arrival in what is now Mexico and his subsequent conquest of the Aztec Empire, highlighting the complexities of the encounter between the Spanish and the indigenous populations.
The series explores the human side of Cortรฉs, examining his motivations, relationships, and the impact of his actions on both the Spanish and the indigenous populations.
Map of Tenochtitlan and the Gulf of Mexico, from Praeclara Ferdinadi Cortesii de Nova maris Oceani Hyspania Narratio by Hernando Cortes (1485-1547) 1524
Isla Contadora, Las Perlas Pacific Panama โ๏ธN08 37.453 W070 01.841 Low Tide 4.2 meter
One of our favorite places to snorkel, right off the boat and around the back, east side of the Suecaโs beach. Decent provisions, especially after the supply ship arrives on Wednesday
Walking around the island or rent a golf cart next door to the hotel Mar y Oro.
Walkable from Hotel Mar y Oro on Playa Cacique. We left dinghy on beach without issues. Had beers on the beach at hotel beach bar with Dutch neighbor boat.
Our Dutch crew, Lisa and Bart, were in good company ๐ณ๐ฑ Contadora has a wild history and you can see
Great Italian dinner only restaurant at the chefโs unique house, Casa Tortuga Thursday-Sunday. Highly recommend the pizza! Must reserve by WhatsApp before. +507 6715-2223 Google for location.
NOTE: there are a few anchorages which had incidents of piracy in the past
State-owned oil company Petroecuador declared a state of emergency in the Trans-Ecuadorian Pipeline System (SOTE) on Tuesday and halted crude oil exports following the spill in the northwestern province of Esmeraldas, which affected 500,000 people, according to authorities.
The “emergency declaration will not last longer than 60 days and aims to (…) allocate all necessary resources to minimize the impact of the force majeure event on hydrocarbon exploration, exploitation, transportation, and marketing operations,” Petroecuador said in a statement.
On Thursday, an oil pipeline ruptured due to a collapse, leaking tens of thousands of barrels of crude oil, contaminating at least five rivers, including the Esmeraldas, which flows into the Pacific.
As a result of the spill, “we’re talking about 500,000 people (affected) because we have a water community” that brings together several towns that share the supply from the same water treatment plant, Vicko Villacรญs, mayor of the city of Esmeraldas
The government has already declared an environmental emergency in the province, which is home to a wildlife refuge.
The state-owned Petroecuador company, which operates the pipeline, is using tanker trucks to recover the spilled crude oil in the El Vergel area of โโthe town of Quinindรฉ, where Mayor Ronald Moreno reported that some 4,500 families (around 15,000 people) are affected.
Agence France-Presse (AFP)
Could 200,000 barrels of oil get to the Galapagos via ocean currents ?
Stash an old 4g cellphone into a secret hiding spot – unplug the battery Yes, you can call 911 without a carrier plan or even a SIM card, although you’ll still need to be within range of cellphone towers
17) INTRODUCING A NEW PARTNERSHIP MARINA
MARINA DI TEULADA ๐ฎ๐น SARDINIA ITALY SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE
38ยฐ 55.6433โฒ N 008ยฐ 43.1933โฒ E
We are pleased to support the Ocean Posse participants with a 10 % discount at our marina.
This navigation technique comes from the knowledge passed down through generations of Polynesians, who were among the worldโs greatest navigators and explorers.
The origins of Polynesian way finding can be traced back to the seafaring cultures of the Pacific Islands, including the regions of Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia. These navigators used a deep understanding of stars, wind patterns, cloud formations, ocean currents, the flight patterns of birds, and other signs of nature for long-distance voyaging.
Polynesian way finding is closely associated with the renaissance of traditional voyaging that began in the 70s with the construction and voyage of the Hลkลซleสปa, a traditional double-hulled voyaging canoe. The Hลkลซleสปa and its voyages played a pivotal role in reviving and preserving Polynesian navigation techniques. Mau Piailug, a master navigator from Micronesia, was instrumental in this revival, sharing his knowledge with Hawaiians and other Polynesians, thereby bridging the gap between ancient and modern Polynesian cultures.
Practical application on board your vessel measuring time
20) GOOD NAUTICAL โ
Sawa-I-Lau โ Yasawa Islands ๐ซ๐ฏ FIJI
The ancient limestone formations, carved by constant wave action are hidden within an attractive little island. According to legend, a young chief once hid with his betrothed in the cave after her family threatened to marry her off to a rival chief.
Sawa-i-Lau anchorage, in the Yasawa Islands of Fiji, is a stunning and well-known stop for sailors cruising the region. Hereโs what you should know:
Location: Near the famous Sawa-i-Lau limestone caves, in the northern Yasawa Islands.
The seabed is mostly sand with some patches of coral, so good holding can be found. Depth 5-10 meters, but some areas have shallower spots with coral heads to watch out for. Protection: Offers decent shelter from all but strong westerlies Access the lime stone caves from this anchorage
โ 16ยฐ 50.8951′ S 177ยฐ 27.9740′ E
21) SAN DIEGO MARINE EXCHANGE ๐ฑ SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE
The San Diego Marine Exchange (SDMX) is a vital hub for mariners, providing marine supplies, equipment, and expert services to commercial and recreational boaters. Established in 1950, SDMX serves the thriving maritime community of San Diego, offering everything from navigation tools and safety gear to maintenance essentials. As a trusted resource, it supports the Navy, fishing fleets, yacht owners, and shipyards, ensuring vessels are well-equipped for safe and efficient operations. With knowledgeable staff and a commitment to customer service, SDMX plays a crucial role in keeping the local maritime industry running smoothly, making it an indispensable asset for mariners.
22) OCEAN POSSE HAUL OUT FACILITIES
Follow this link for an ever increasing list of haul out facilities
Off the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, particularly in areas like the Nicoya Peninsula, the Gulf of Papagayo, and the Osa Peninsula, a spectacular marine show often unfoldsโmobula rays leaping high above the oceanโs surface. These agile rays, sometimes called “flying rays”, are famous for their incredible jumps, often launching several feet into the air before belly-flopping back into the sea.
Mobula rays belong to the same family as manta rays but are smaller, with wing-like pectoral fins that allow them to glide through the water gracefully. Their leaping behavior remains somewhat of a mystery, though researchers believe it could be linked to mating displays, predator evasion, or parasite removal. Some have even suggested that the loud splash they create upon re-entry may serve as a form of communication within their schools.
These mesmerizing creatures are most commonly seen at dawn and dusk, when they gather in large numbers near the surface. Lucky boaters, surfers, and divers may witness dozens of rays breaching in rapid succession, creating a breathtaking natural spectacle. Certain times of the year, particularly during seasonal plankton blooms, bring even larger congregations, as mobula rays follow food sources along the coast.
For those exploring Costa Ricaโs Pacific waters, spotting a mobula ray in flight is a reminder of the oceanโs wild beautyโan awe-inspiring moment that blends mystery, elegance, and raw energy. Whether seen from a boat or while snorkeling in the clear blue shallows, these leaping rays add to the magic of Costa Ricaโs vibrant marine ecosystem.
23) THE ALEXANDER LA VALLEY
When the Panama canal officially opened on August 15, 1914, the first ship to officially pass through was the SS Ancon. However, the honor of being the first vessel to ever cross the canal actually goes to a small, rather unimpressive dredging boat called the Alexander La Valley, which completed the journey in January 1914, months before the grand opening.
So, while the Ancon got all the fame and fanfare, the humble Alexander La Valley quietly made history first! ๐ข๐
Erick Gรกlvez
OCEAN POSSE CANAL AGENTS
To arrange for transit with the Panama Canal Authority please contact our dedicated Panama Canal agents and sponsors of the Panama Posse and the Pacific Posse
Please be on the lookout for John Jones, single handing on Quiet, a Tayana 37, lost his mast about January 27 after departing El Salvador. He has fashioned a jury rig and is making for Nuku Hiva, FP. His AIS is non functional, but his tracking link works at: https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/Quiet/ To conserve power he does not run his tracker 24/7.
Underway making way for over 60 days now – His Last known position as of Last Update 2025 MAR 22 @ 19:08
Landscape at he Pico Island Vineyard in the Azores
MISSION
Foster Maritime Camaraderie: Unite yacht owners and sailors in a global community driven by the love of exploration and the sea.
Promote Safe Cruising: Share resources, local knowledge, and best practices to ensure safe and enjoyable maritime journeys.
Encourage Adventure: Inspire participants to embrace the call of the sea, explore new horizons, and discover diverse cultures.
Marina Partnerships: Strengthen collaborations with marinas to offer exclusive benefits, services, and discounts to members.
Enhance Knowledge Sharing: Facilitate the exchange of tips, skills, and experiences within a supportive fleet of cruisers via facts.
Celebrate the Journey: Create lasting memories through events, meetups, and a shared passion for life on the water.
Support Sustainability: Advocate for eco-friendly cruising practices to preserve our oceans and coastal ecosystems.
We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it.Ok