AQUA VERDE โ 25ยฐ 31'.3666' N 111ยฐ 04'.4283' W just a lil ' south of Loretto, BC MEXICO ๐ฒ๐ฝ MV DELTA SWIZZLER ๐บ๐ธ Mark & Cindy – Vantare 58'
"The ocean is everything I want to be. Beautiful, mysterious, wild, and free."
โ Unknown
THIS WEEK
Pictures Of The Week ๐ท
Meet The Fleet SY Morning Stars ๐จ๐ฆ
Must-see Turkey ๐น๐ท Gรถreme
Update โต SY Jubel
xJoin The Ocean Posse for Perks, Discounts, Info a.m.o.
Ocean Posse Captain Ron Award Entry
Why Go To Cannes' ๐ซ๐ท Yachting Festival
Marina Salina ๐ฎ๐น Italy
Aeolian Islands Il Postino & Pablo Neruda
Cruising The Tuamotus ๐ต๐ซ French Polynesia
Yacht Insurance Seminar
Attempted Piracy โ ๏ธ Honduras
Ongoing Outboard Theft๐ฅท๐ป Incidents In Panama
Meet The South Pacific Cruising Fleet
Yachts For Sale In Pacific Mexico
Montego Bay Yacht Club ๐ฏ๐ฒ Jamaica |
Floating The Anchor Chain โ๏ธ To Protect ๐ชธ Coral
Good Nautical Isla El Tigre ๐ญ๐ณ Honduras
Delta Mike โ๏ธ
Long Line๐ช Locations
Meet The Sea Turtles ๐ข
The Smallest Vessel Ever ๐ฃto Cross The Panama Canal
we have set sail for Nuku Hiva! Following the rainbow ๐
SY HORIZON ๐บ๐ธ Stephanie Tayana 55'
just crossed the equator today!!! 4 more shellbacks on the ocean! ๐
SY CAROSY ๐ฐ๐พ Hugh & Carole – Robertson and Caine 45'
No wind to speak of, overcast, confused sea state, lots of rain and some lightning.
I expected to get a period with absolutely no wind and sea like glass, but that never happened
I am sure that it is slightly different every time. Please share your experience when you get there.
The sky is blue again and the wind is back. Zedna is enjoying the tradewinds after 2 days in the doldrums.
SY ZEDNA ๐ธ๐ช Trevor & Lena – Robertson and Caine 38'
Pathfinder is thrilled to announce that I finally have my French Long Stay Visa in my hand!! We plan to sail out of Marina Buenaventura today around 15:00 at high tide towards the Galapagos for our first stop then onto French Polynesia.
Hoping to slingshot out of Panama after Punta Mala late this evening/early tomorrow morning ๐
SY PATHFINDER ๐บ๐ธ J.P. & NICOLE – Lagoon 39'
2) MEET THE FLEET SY MORNING STARS ๐จ๐ฆ
๐จ๐ฆ Jason, Amanda and Dylan – Bristol 45'
We are on Morning Stars, but not the boat we started our adventure on. We purchased her at Shelter Bay Marina last August. Check out our blog svstarship1.ca for the whole story.
We are currently on the Pacific side of Panama preparing for our crossing over to French Polynesia. San Blas islands and Exumas have been our favorite spots
Sailing has been in my blood since I was born. I have sailed all my life and knew that one day I would cross an ocean. Not if but when. I met my wife at our yacht club back home and we have cruised Lake Winnipeg every year the past 30 years. This jump has truly been a culmination of 30 years of hard work and taking a chance to step out of the ordinary.
Sailing is definitely a shared adventure. I would have crossed oceans myself on others boats but it is so much better on my own vessel with my family. The joy of accomplishment in putting miles under the keel and coming out the other side is exhilarating. Sharing that experience with my family is priceless.
"The unexpected lesson learned on board ?"
Just how hard this lifestyle really is. Land life is easy in comparison.
Our best way to interact with the cultures and local communities is to just start walking. We are always surprised and humbled when we have people stopping to see if we are ok. Stop worrying about budget and eat out locally, not the resorts. Best of all say Hi to everyone. The most amazing experience we had was with a taxi driver in Nassau. Every trip with her was a history less of her island and family. It was wonderful
Small things are now left on our bucket list – like diving Great Barrier Reef.
As we like to say "Death is once in a lifetime, life is every day so go live it."
SY MORNING STARS ๐จ๐ฆ Jason, Amanda and Dylan – Bristol 45'
Here are eight Ocean Posse members at Ibinโs restaurant on Banedup in the Holandes Cays in San Blas. We had Rob and Debra on Avant, Karl and Natalie on Remedy, Colleen and Jeff on Rawhiti, and Mark and Sarah from Galatea.
SY GALATEA Sarah& Mark – Morgan 46'
SY FELICITA ๐บ๐ธ Gretchen & Tim – Catalina 42
Downshifting is at Kauehi, Tuamotus
MY DOWNSHIFTING ๐บ๐ธ Carine – Nordhavn 47'
MY TIDINGS OF JOY and SY CARINTHIA @ Red Frog Marina and Resort
MY TIDINGS OF JOY ๐บ๐ธ Joy & Jeff – DeFever 52'
4) MUST-SEE TURKEY ๐น๐ท LANDTRIP GรREME
The Rock Sites of Cappadocia is a vast area packed full of stunning sights. There are over 200 underground cities, hundreds of churches, chapels, and hermitages, and countless valleys of strangle twisting shapes and towers.
Karen & Darren @ Gรถreme National Park
A cluster of hills and plateaus formed by Mount Erciyes and Mount Hasan, a pair of nearby volcanoes that covered the landscape with ash that hardened into volcanic tuff. Volcanic tuff is a soft stone, easily eroded by wind and rain. Over the course of millennia, the hills of tuff were carved by the elements into towers, cones, and stunning walls of white powder resembling great drifts of windswept snow.
SY SMALL WORLD III ๐ป๐ฎ Karen & Darren – Bristol 47.7'
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7) OCEAN POSSE CAPTAIN RON AWARD ENTRY
San Bank in Bocas โ ๏ธ 09ยฐ 19.8323' N 082ยฐ 14.9134' W
This is a Captain Ron learning experience. Jeariene and I got to Bocas del Toro South Anchorage. I wanted to use the automatically adjusting anchor marker buoy that I purchased. So I tied the strap to the anchor before setting it. That was our first mistake. This area is a panga super highway. In broad daylight, I fortunately waved off a panga that was going to run right into it. Even though it is big (14 inches diameter, 7 inches above the water line), white with reflective tape. He missed it by inches. When it gets dark, it would be a definite goner. So we hung a flashing Luci light on it, which helped it survive until the next day. The next day, we hauled up the anchor, untied the buoy and set the anchor back in 12 feet with a 5 to 1 scope, backing down so I knew it was set.
That night and the next morning heavy rains and winds caused our anchor to drag. I contacted the boat that we had moved closer to, and he indicated that the winds were dying down and I donโt need to worry about anymore dragging. BUT, a change in direction of the winds was devastating.
So Sunday mid-morning, a nice couple on s/v Rise, anchored near us, got in their dinghy and came over to say hi and to ask a question. โAre you aground?โ I finally looked around and saw that my boat wasnโt facing the way everyone elseโs boat was, and the wind was on my beam and not my bow. Yes, after dragging, we had swung into a shallow area and the tide was going out, so matters got worse by the minute. Our boat was stuck on a sand bar!! This great couple tried to help by pulling a very long line from the top of my mast, to heel us over. They didnโt have the power in their dinghy, so we were unsuccessful.
By the time low tide had hit (around 1:15 PM), we were heeled over about 15 degrees. The next high tide was 7:30 PM and it was going to be no higher than when we first ran aground. So we (actually I) thought that we wait through the next low tide (which wasnโt going to be as low) until the real high tide at 6:38 on Monday morning. We wernโt looking forward to sleeping like that.
Fortunately Jeariene had contacted our Ocean Posse friends, Kevin and Karen, on their catamaran โFeel N Froggyโ, who were on their way back to Red Frog Marina, and only minutes away from sailing right by us. They were awesome! They anchored and came over to us in their dinghy. They circled us, checking the depth and re-positioned our anchor so we could pull Knot Right into deeper waters. Then they took that long line out from our mast top to tip us over. We unfurled the main so the wind on the beam could also help to tip us over enough so we could rock the keel off of the sandy bottom. All the while, I would be using the windless to take up slack in the anchor chain to kedge us off. Unfortunately, their dinghy wasnโt powerful enough. Then two gentlemen on a power boat came over to offer help. They had two outboards of 150 HP each. They huffed and puffed, put my rail into the water, I took in the anchor chain slack, and voila… we slid off the sand bar and popped up straight in 20 feet of water. There was an audience of people watching this fiasco from one of the floating bars 300 yards away, and you could hear the cheers! Apparently, the two gentlemen came from that floating bar, so everyone there was watching our Captain Ron experience. We celebrated by having dinner with Kevin and Karen at the other Floating Bar.
The moral of the story is: Just like when you ask the question of yourself, โshould I reefโ, that is when you should reef. โShould I re-anchorโ, Hell Yes and NOW!โ
SY KNOT RIGHT ๐บ๐ธ Walt & Jearine – Beneteau 47'
9) WHY GO TO CANNES' ๐ซ๐ท YACHTING FESTIVAL THIS SEPTEMBER
The Cannes Yachting Festival (Sept 10-15, 2024) is one of the worldโs premier boat shows, and Ocean Posse participants and cruisers might find it worth attending for several reasons:
Over 700 Yachts on display with Cutting-Edge Yacht Tech & Equipment
See the latest in bluewater cruising yachts Catamarans, Monohulls and Powerboats and expedition boats. in 2 marinas connected via aquaferry. Explore new gear, anchoring solutions, and energy-efficient systems (solar, lithium, hydro-gen tech).
Awesome Networking with Cruisers & Industry Experts
Connect and meet up with other long-distance cruisers, yacht owners, and industry pros.
Share your knowledge and tips about global cruising routes, including the Caribbean, Atlantic and Pacific crossings.
The Location โ Itโs Cannes!
One of the most glamorous settings for a yacht show, with fantastic food, scenery, and a chance to unwind. Ideal stopover if youโre currently cruising in the Med before heading westward.
SPECIAL OCEAN POSSE EVENT IN CANNES
SPECIAL EVENT OCEAN POSSE & BEN TAYLOR
Networking and Fun
@ ๐ซ๐ท Cannes Yachting Festival
Captains & Yacht owners
have fun at the most casual Marine Industry Networking event
@ LUPITAS on THU SEP 11th โ25 18:00 โ 21:30
LEGENDARY FREE Flor de Caรฑa Rum Cocktails
and Special Tacos courtesy of Ocean Posse & Taylor Media
One of Salinaโs most breathtaking locations, Pollara Bay is set in a massive volcanic crater that has eroded into the sea. The cliffs, rock formations, and crystal-clear water make it an iconic spot, especially at sunset. Itโs also famous as a filming location for Il Postino.
SAILING AND CRUISING IN THE AEOLIAN ISLANDS JUST GOT A LOT EASIER & AFFORDABLE
11) EOLIAN INSPIRATION ๐ IL POSTINO | PABLO NERUDA
l Postino (The Postman, 1994) is a poetic Italian film set in the 1950s on a small Mediterranean island. It tells the story of Mario Ruoppolo, a shy and uneducated fishermanโs son who takes a job as a postman, delivering mail to the islandโs only notable residentโexiled Chilean poet Pablo Neruda.
At first, Mario is intimidated by Nerudaโs fame and literary prowess, but as he delivers letters to the poet, he becomes fascinated by poetry and its power to express emotions. With Nerudaโs guidance, Mario learns to use metaphors and poetic language, which helps him win the love of Beatrice, a beautiful barmaid.
As Mario grows in confidence and finds his own poetic voice, the film subtly weaves in themes of love, longing, political change, and the power of words. However, as Neruda eventually leaves the island and political tensions rise, Marioโs fate takes a poignant turn, leaving a lasting impression of his deep connection to poetry and its ability to transform a simple life into something profound.
The real Nobel prize winning Pablo Neruda wrote many poems about the sea.One of his most famous sea-themed poems is "El mar" (The Sea)
El Mar
Necesito del mar porque me enseรฑa:
no sรฉ si aprendo mรบsica o conciencia:
no sรฉ si es ola sola o ser profundo
o sรณlo ronca voz o deslumbrante
suposiciรณn de peces y navios.
El hecho es que hasta cuando estoy dormido
de algรบn modo magnรฉtico circulo
en la universidad del oleaje.
No son sรณlo las conchas trituradas
como si algรบn planeta tembloroso
participara paulatina muerte,
no, del fragmento reconstruyo el dรญa,
de una racha de sal la estalactita
y de una cucharada el dios inmenso.
Lo que antes me enseรฑรณ lo guardo! Es aire,
incesante viento, agua y arena.
Parece poco para el hombre joven
que aquรญ llegรณ a vivir con sus incendios,
y sin embargo el pulso que subรญa
y bajaba a su abismo,
el frรญo del azul que crepitaba,
el desmoronamiento de la estrella,
el tierno desplegarse de la ola
despilfarrando nieve con la espuma,
el poder quieto, allรญ, determinado
como un trono de piedra en lo profundo,
substituyรณ el recinto en que crecรญan
tristeza terca, amontonando olvido,
y cambiรณ bruscamente mi existencia:
di mi adhesiรณn al puro movimiento.
The Sea
I need the sea because it teaches me:
I donโt know if I learn music or consciousness:
I donโt know if itโs a single wave or deep depth
or a hoarse voice or a shining
suggestion of ships and fish.
The fact is that even when Iโm asleep
in some magnetic mode I move
in the university of waves.
Itโs not only the crushed shells
like some shivering planet
participating in a gradual death,
no, from the fragment I reconstruct the day,
from one grain of salt the stalactite
and from one spoon the immense god.
What it taught me before I keep! Itโs air,
incessant wind, water and sand.
It seems insignificant to a young man
that came here to live with his own fire
yet the pulse that rose
then fell into its abyss,
the sputtering blue cold,
the gradual fading of a star,
the gentle unfolding of the wave
wasting snow with its foam,
the still power, out there, resolute
like a stone shrine in the depths,
replaced my territory in which was growing
hardening sorrow, mounds of oblivion
and my life changed suddenly:
I gave my commitment to pure movement.
Details: A catamaran with 3 persons onboard departed Isla San Andres, Colombia for the Rio Dulce, Guatemala. At 1400HRS and position 15-25.6N 081-11.8W, approximately 125nmile off The Honduran coast and about 25nmiles south of the Thunder Knoll fishing shoals the crew observed 4 fishing boats approaching rapidly. The yacht altered course, putting on all sail/speed. The crew was monitoring VHF and there were no communications.
The crew had discussed their plan before departure and gathered and then displayed multiple flare guns, a paint ball type weapon, a spear gun and a large fishing gaff. Three of the pursuing vessels were smaller, unable to keep up and fell away, coming no closer than about a ยฝ mile. The largest (4th) panga had 2 men wearing orange life jackets standing prominently near the bow and continued to pursue the yacht and approached to 200-300FT before they were able to see the crewโs very visible and ready preparation before they chose to end the pursuit.
The yacht continued their passage without further incident and arrived safely in Guatemala. A report was made to the Honduran Navy by phone.
15) ONGOING OUTBOARD THEFT๐ฅท๐ป INCIDENTS IN PANAMA GOVT INCREASES PENALTIES
Details: A catamaran anchored overnight in the Chagres river and was boarded at about 0300HRS. The yacht's security video captured the masked and gloved thief, armed with a knife as he rummaged the cockpit area. Nothing was taken, but when the dinghy davit lines were cut the loud noise scared the thief off. The dinghy was chain locked to the yacht.
16) MONTEGO BAY YACHT CLUB ๐ฏ๐ฒ JAMAICA SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE
38ยฐ 55.6433โฒ N 008ยฐ 43.1933โฒ E
We offer a 10 % discount for the active Participants in the Ocean Posse
Montego Bay Yacht Club
Montego Freeport,
P.O.Box 1133, Montego Bay, Jamaica
Office Tel: +1 (876) 979-8038
WATER
FUEL
GASOLINE
RESTAURANT
BAR
LAUNDRY
WEATHER
T.V. in the Clubhouse
PROVISIONING
TAXIS AND GROUND TRANSPORTATION
If you are in Montego Bay, there is no shortage of dive sites either. The name Widowmaker's Cave may not be the most appealing, it's definitely an exciting site for all levels of divers.
17) FLOATING THE ANCHOR CHAIN TO PROTECT ๐ชธ CORAL
Which buoyance devices we use: When we arrived in the Tuamotus we started off with fenders as we did not carry anything else. The disadvantage of fenders is that they compress if they submerse, one gets growth on them, etc. Those hard plastique pearl farm buoys are much better. Some people say, they are washed ashore everywhere in the Tuamotus. Well that was not our experience. Kauehi was our first atoll and in any reasonable distance from the village the shore line was cleaned by the locals. Nevertheless, many villagers have their stash of pearl farm buoys in their gardens. So we simply walked to one obviously very friendly fellow and asked whether we could have four of them. He actually picked the four nicest he had, of the same color, including lines attached to them and did not even want to have anything in return. We put on clips/little carabines to the ends of the lines for fast attachment / detachment to/from the anchor chain and were ready to go.
What kind of clips we use: We use little stainless steel carabiners, the size is basically driven by the diameter to fit through a chain link, i.e. it needs to be sufficiently thin (we have a 10mm DIN chain, so carabiners end up being like 4-5cm in length), we use different sorts, i.e. whatever we found in our related spare part bag
Where we position the buoys: Our approach is to put the first buoy typically / normal conditions at 10m plus water depth from the anchor, then a buoy every 5m of chain, after the fourth we let out another 7-8m of chain and then hook the bridle. There are other recommendations which take a multiplier to water depth (like 1.5x or 2x water depth), but we just find that not suitable to accommodate for all ranges of water depths. The 10m basically decides how much chain ends up on the seabed, one could do less if the sandy patch is really small or more if there is a larger sandy patch to anchor (in case one sees that at all).
With this approach we end up with a few meters more chain out than based on our non-floating chain length rule under normal conditions (we apply waterdepth plus 30m) โ in bad conditions we obviously deploy more in both cases (non-floating and floating).
How we deploy the buoys: First we explore to find the spot we want to anchor as usual. If possible we would look for a sandy patch for the anchor itself, but despite the clear water, when anchoring in deeper water we are not able to see for good and/or be able to drop the anchor that accurately. We put out as much chain as we feel comfortable to โdrive inโ the anchor. Then we pull up the chain again to the first spot for the first buoy (the 10m + water depth), then put out 5m chain, attach a buoy, etc. (lifting the anchor is as usual, just stopping at every buoy and unclipping it, it does not really delay the process once one gets the hang of it).
How we clip on the clips: For us it is exactly the same as putting the chain hook / bridle on. So in our case we have to bend over the pull pit and downward to clip them on, but as said, thatโs the same as we do with the bridle as well and โnormal procedureโ for us. If we had a set-up where the chain hook would come through the bow roller, the clips could go through as well as they are way smaller than our chain hook and in our case it would be easy to get a clip and line from the front through the bowroller back on deck. Difficulties I could only see arising if it was โ due to bow design / set-up โ tricky to get to the chain outside of the bow or the clip from the front through the bowroller back on deck or into the chain locker, but thatโs set-up specific, hard to comment in general (in the worst case I would deploy by dinghy).
General experience: In general, the boat swings easier than with a non-floating chain, due to the missing friction of the chain length towards the yacht. In places where the wind is dominant anyways and is stable trade wind from the same sector all the time, thatโs no issue at all. In places, where swinging is dominated rather by current or tide, one obviously has to check for the space.
In our case only the buoy closest to the yacht is floating on water level in a low wind situation, the others are submersed. We actually measured in one instance the depths of the clips on the anchor chain on an anchorage where the anchor was at 11.5m depths: the clips of the buoys were at 7m, 4m, 2m and 0m water depth respectively (starting from the anchor) at low wind.
Practical application on board using fish net floats
20) GOOD NAUTICAL โ
ISLA EL TIGRE ๐ญ๐ณ HONDURAS
Isla del Tigre, located in the Gulf of Fonseca, Honduras, offers a well-protected anchorage near the town of Amapala on its northern side. This anchorage is favored for its shelter and proximity to the town's amenities. However, mariners should approach during daylight hours due to the presence of rocks and shallow areas that require careful navigation
Tides: The Gulf of Fonseca experiences a moderate tidal range of 2 to 3 meters, with semi-diurnal tides. Currents can be strong, especially near the entrance to the Gulf and around the islands. Timing your arrival and departure with the tide schedule is important. There is also a Papagayo Winds Spillover effect which can trap folks in the south anchorage for a few days.
โ 13ยฐ 17.7542' N 087ยฐ 39.1268' W
Winds: During the dry season (November to April), prevailing winds are typically from the northeast and are generally mild. In the wet season (May to October), winds can shift and intensify, often coming from the south or southwest, with squalls and sudden wind shifts being common. โ
If entering Honduras through the Gulf of Fonseca, you'll need to check in with customs and immigration. Checking into the country via sailboat at Amapala is straightforward, with both port captain and immigration offices located at the end of the pier, and the process is free. โ
20) DELTA MIKE MARINE SUPPLY ๐ฑ SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE
Long lines, driftnets, ghostiest, and other illegal fishing techniques are the main source of microplastics pollution in the Pacific Ocean. Further these environmentally damaging fishing systems increase the percentage of by-catch, causing many millions of tons of fish to be discarded yearly.
Panama Posse participants are advised that Longlines along the Pacific Coast from Mexico to Panama create risk for your voyage. For this reason we have created this page https://panamaposse.com/longlines to help located longlines that can disable your vessel. Most countries have jurisdiction over the waters within 200 nautical miles of their shores, called the exclusive economic zone, set by the Law of the Sea, however enforcement is very limited.
What are Long Lines?
Long lines are an efficient and well administered, yet illegal, method of over-fishing practiced by commercial fisherman all over the world. The fishing technique uses a long main fishing line that extends sometimes dozens of miles. The line contains branch lines (snoods or gangions) which clips onto the main line. These branches of lines contain hooks for randomly catching fish that are in the area. Main line with its branches can contain as many as 3,000 hooks which target swordfish, tuna, halibut, sablefish and of valuable species. Longlines attached at the surface catch Tuna or Swordfish whereas those attached at the sea floor target ground fish such as halibut or groupers or cod.
Longline fishing is a prevalent form of commercial fishing and allows for massive fish yields. Longlines can be used near the surface (pelagic longlines) to catch open-water fish such as tuna and swordfish, or near the seafloor (demersal longlines) to catch bottom-dwelling fish such as cod or halibut. Longlines consist of a very long mainline (up to 60 miles long) that is set and dragged behind a boat. The mainline has thousands of attached branchlines, each containing baited hooks used to lure and capture target fish. An unfortunate consequence of the longline design is that it attracts and easily snags non-target marine life (known as bycatch). A wide range of animals such as sea turtles, sharks, seals, seabirds, and marine mammals can get caught on hooks or entangled in fishing line (Fig. 1). Interactions with longlines can cause non-target animals, many of which are endangered, to suffer injury and even mortality.
23) SEA TURTLES ๐ข ALONG THE CENTRAL AMERICAN PACIFIC COAST
The Central American Pacific coastline, stretching from southern Mexico through Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, and Panama, is home to some of the world's most important sea turtle nesting sites. These waters and beaches host a variety of sea turtle species that play a crucial role in maintaining marine ecosystems. Despite their ecological significance, sea turtles face numerous threats, including habitat destruction, climate change, and poaching. Conservation efforts across the region have been working to protect and preserve these ancient mariners for future generations.
Several species of sea turtles frequent the Pacific waters and beaches of Central America. Among the most commonly encountered are the Olive Ridley (Lepidochelys olivacea), Leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), Green (Chelonia mydas), and Hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata) turtles. Each species has distinct characteristics, nesting habits, and conservation challenges.
Olive Ridley Turtle (Lepidochelys olivacea)
One of the most abundant sea turtle species, the Olive Ridley is known for its mass nesting events called "arribadas," where thousands of females come ashore simultaneously to lay their eggs. Nicaragua's La Flor Wildlife Refuge and Ostional in Costa Rica are among the most famous arribada nesting sites. These turtles are relatively small, averaging around 70 cm in shell length, and primarily feed on jellyfish, crustaceans, and fish.merica can continue to be a vital sanctuary for these remarkable creatures.
Leatherback Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea)
The largest of all sea turtles, the Leatherback can reach lengths of over 2 meters and weigh up to 900 kg. Unlike other sea turtles, the Leatherback has a unique soft, leathery shell instead of a hard carapace. These turtles migrate vast distances, often crossing entire ocean basins, and primarily feed on jellyfish. Playa Grande in Costa Rica's Las Baulas National Park is one of the key nesting sites for this critically endangered species along the Pacific coast.
Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas)
Named for the greenish color of their fat rather than their shell, Green Turtles are herbivorous and primarily feed on seagrasses and algae. Though more commonly associated with the Caribbean, they do nest along the Pacific coast, particularly in protected areas such as the Gulf of Fonseca and Osa Peninsula in Costa Rica. Green Turtles are important for maintaining healthy seagrass beds and marine habitats.
Hawksbill Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata)
While more prevalent in the Caribbean, some Hawksbill Turtles also nest on the Pacific shores of Central America. They are smaller in size and recognized for their beautiful, patterned shells, which unfortunately make them targets for illegal trade. Hawksbills primarily feed on sponges and play a vital role in coral reef health by preventing sponge overgrowth.
## **Nesting Habits and Life Cycle**
Sea turtles have a complex life cycle that spans decades. Females return to the beaches where they were born to lay eggs, often traveling thousands of kilometers to reach these sites. The nesting season varies by species but generally occurs between June and December. A single female can lay multiple clutches of eggs during a season, each containing around 50 to 150 eggs. After a two-month incubation period, the hatchlings emerge and make a perilous journey to the sea, facing numerous predators along the way.
The survival rate of hatchlings is exceedingly lowโonly about one in a thousand reaches adulthood. Those that do survive can live for decades, with some individuals surpassing 50 years of age. Once mature, they return to their natal beaches to continue the cycle.
## **Threats to Sea Turtles**
Sea turtles along the Central American Pacific coast face an array of threats, many of which are human-induced. Some of the most pressing issues include:
### **1. Habitat Destruction**
Coastal development, including tourism infrastructure and urban expansion, has led to the destruction of crucial nesting habitats. Artificial lighting disorients hatchlings, leading them away from the ocean, and human activity can compact sand, making it difficult for females to dig nests.
### **2. Climate Change**
Rising global temperatures impact sea turtles in several ways. Warmer sand temperatures can skew sex ratios, producing more females and threatening genetic diversity. Additionally, stronger storms and rising sea levels can erode nesting beaches and destroy nests.
### **3. Fisheries Bycatch**
Unintentional capture in fishing gear, known as bycatch, is a significant threat to sea turtles. Longline and gillnet fisheries often entangle turtles, leading to drowning or severe injuries. Efforts to introduce turtle-friendly fishing gear, such as TEDs (Turtle Excluder Devices), have helped mitigate this threat.
### **4. Poaching and Illegal Trade**
Despite protective laws, sea turtle eggs, meat, and shells remain valuable in illegal markets. In some coastal communities, turtle eggs are considered a delicacy, and Hawksbill shells are sought after for jewelry and ornaments. Enforcement of anti-poaching laws remains a challenge in many regions.
## **Conservation Efforts and Community Involvement**
Across Central America, numerous conservation initiatives are working to protect sea turtles through research, education, and community involvement. Some of the key conservation strategies include:
### **1. Nesting Beach Protection**
Many organizations work to safeguard nesting beaches by patrolling against poaching, relocating nests to safer locations, and reducing artificial lighting. Protected areas such as Ostional Wildlife Refuge (Costa Rica), La Flor Wildlife Refuge (Nicaragua), and Las Baulas National Park (Costa Rica) have been instrumental in preserving nesting populations.
### **2. Community-Based Conservation**
Local communities play a vital role in protecting sea turtles. Ecotourism initiatives provide alternative livelihoods to former egg poachers by involving them in turtle conservation efforts. Guided turtle-watching tours generate revenue while raising awareness about the importance of conservation.
### **3. Sustainable Fishing Practices**
Efforts to reduce bycatch include promoting the use of turtle excluder devices (TEDs) and educating fishers on best practices. Regional agreements and regulations, such as those under the Inter-American Convention for the Protection and Conservation of Sea Turtles (IAC), have been critical in addressing fishing-related threats.
### **4. Rehabilitation and Research**
Sea turtle rescue centers rehabilitate injured turtles, often victims of fishing gear entanglement or boat strikes. Scientific research, including satellite tracking and genetic studies, enhances understanding of turtle migration patterns and informs conservation policies.
## **The Future of Sea Turtles in Central America**
While significant progress has been made in protecting sea turtles along the Central American Pacific coast, challenges remain. Strengthening enforcement of conservation laws, addressing climate change impacts, and promoting sustainable coastal development are key to ensuring the survival of these species. Continued collaboration between governments, conservation organizations, and local communities will be essential in safeguarding sea turtles for generations to come.
Sea turtles have roamed the world's oceans for millions of years, playing an essential role in marine ecosystems. Their survival depends on the collective efforts of individuals and communities committed to their protection. By fostering conservation awareness and implementing effective strategies, Central A
Nesting Habits and Life Cycle
Sea turtles have a complex life cycle that spans decades. Females return to the beaches where they were born to lay eggs, often traveling thousands of kilometers to reach these sites. The nesting season varies by species but generally occurs between June and December. A single female can lay multiple clutches of eggs during a season, each containing around 50 to 150 eggs. After a two-month incubation period, the hatchlings emerge and make a perilous journey to the sea, facing numerous predators along the way.
The survival rate of hatchlings is exceedingly lowโonly about one in a thousand reaches adulthood. Those that do survive can live for decades, with some individuals surpassing 50 years of age. Once mature, they return to their natal beaches to continue the cycle.
Overall threats to Sea Turtles
Habitat Destruction
Coastal development, including tourism infrastructure and urban expansion, has led to the destruction of crucial nesting habitats.
Climate Change
Rising global temperatures impact sea turtles in several ways. Warmer sand temperatures can skew sex ratios, producing more females and threatening genetic diversity.
Fisheries Bycatch
Unintentional capture in fishing gear, known as bycatch, is a significant threat to sea turtles. Longline and gillnet fisheries often entangle turtles, leading to drowning or severe injuries
Poaching and Illegal Trade
Despite protective laws, sea turtle eggs, meat, and shells remain valuable in illegal markets. In some coastal communities, turtle eggs are considered a delicacy, and Hawksbill shells are sought after for jewelry and ornaments.
Conservation Efforts and Community Involvement
Across Central America, numerous conservation initiatives are working to protect sea turtles through research, education, and community involvement.
Nesting Beach Protection
Community-Based Conservation
Sustainable Fishing Practices
Rehabilitation and Research
Sea turtles have roamed the world's oceans for millions of years, playing an essential role in marine ecosystems.
24) THE SMALLEST VESSEL ๐ฃ EVER TO CROSS THE PANAMA CANAL
The smallest vessel ever to transit the Panama Canal was a swimming trainerโs paddleboardโyes, a swimmer!
In 1928, Richard Halliburton, an American adventurer and travel writer, swam the entire length of the canal in 10 days. He was officially classified as a vessel and paid a toll of just 36 centsโthe lowest toll ever recorded!
If weโre talking about actual boats, the smallest was likely a tiny canoe or kayak, though records on that are murkier. However, many small sailboats and even personal rowboats have made the journey over the years.
25) OCEAN POSSE CANAL AGENT
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
9811 w charleston ยท blvd 2262 ยท summerlin ยท lv ยท nv ยท 89117 ยท usa
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