PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Sunset and moon over Bonaire- RIP Ozzy!
MY MARTINI 🇺🇸 Bryan & Mary – Nordhavn 63′

Full moon at Ruby Lake British Columbia Canada
SY STRAY CAT 2   Derck & Barb – Lagoon 38′

 CALVI – CORSICA 🇫🇷 FRANCE  
42° 33.9033′ N   008°45.6733′ E

SY SAMLL WORLD III 🇻🇮 Karen & Daren – Bristol 47.7

Calvi lies on the northwest coast of Corsica, the dramatic “mountain in the sea” in the Mediterranean.
A historic port town, its Genoese citadel from the 13th century perches on a rocky headland, offering commanding views over the azure bay—a scenic and protective landmark for approaching yachts

Heritage & Seafaring Link
Steeped in Genoese and maritime legacy, Calvi’s fortress, old streets, and tales—like that of Christopher Columbus’s alleged birthplace—impart character and conversation-worthy history for visiting captains and crews. The town’s pedestrian zones, harborside cafes, and local markets invite gentle exploration after arrival

Cruising & Coastal Features
The coastline around Calvi is rugged and quintessentially Mediterranean—steep cliffs, hidden coves, and crystalline waters set the stage for ideal anchoring and sightseeing. Notably, the nearby Scandola Nature Reserve, with dramatic volcanic formations rising from the sea, is an unforgettable day-sail destination

Cruising Logistics & Atmosphere
Calvi maintains a well-equipped marina, navigable anchorage, and infrastructure friendly to ocean voyagers. The climate is Mediterranean: warm, sunny summers and mild winters Its combination of natural majesty, cultural intrigue, and practical harbor access makes it an outstanding seasonal hub or waypoint for Ocean Posse routes in the western Mediterranean.

Cultural Experiences for the Fleet
Visiting yachts can immerse in Corsican culture: the citadel, market stalls, and aromatic shrubs (rosemary, juniper, lavender) all enhance the sense of place The Citadel’s ramparts offer panoramic views and are a walkable highlight, while harborside dining offers a relaxing, convivial atmosphere to connect with crew and fellow sailors .

Ithaca 🇬🇷 is not only known for its anchorages but also for its association with the myth of Odysseus, the hero of Homer’s Odyssey. The island is characterized by its verdant landscapes, stunning coastlines, and hidden gems like beautiful, unspoiled beaches. Main Anchorage at Vathy.

SY GARGOYLE  II Kevin & Carla – Hanse 57′

MARINA PUERTO VELERO COLOMBIA SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE
10° 56.85′ N   075° 02.1833′ W

Hello Ocean Posse, thanks for the interest with our marina.
The rates are on our website and we can offer your affiliates a 10% discount on these rates.

For reservations  and details follow this link

MARINA PUERTO VELERO 🇨🇴 COLOMBIA SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE - OCEAN POSSE

The Network Of Yacht Owners with discounts, perks and parties

NEARBY 

1. Tubará’s Ecotourism & Archaeological Sites
Just inland lies Tubará, a municipality rich in heritage and ecological appeal. Explore archaeological sites, enjoy hillside viewpoints like the ones in El Morro, and visit the Casa del Artesano to see local crafts—immersions into indigenous Mokaná culture

2. Castillo de San Antonio de Salgar (Salgar Castle)
A historic 19th-century fortress near Puerto Colombia, built originally for customs control and later transformed into a cultural venue—now restored and host to family events and dining under its colonial architecture

3. Gran Malecón del Río & ‘Ventana al Mundo’ in Barranquilla
Back in the city, enjoy a pleasant riverside promenade with parks, eateries, and clear views of the Magdalena River. Nearby, “Ventana al Mundo” is a modern, eye-catching monument that symbolizes Barranquilla’s cultural openness

4. Casa del Carnaval & Bolivarian Museum
The Casa del Carnaval, in Barranquilla’s Abajo neighborhood, houses vibrant carnival costumes, masks, and presentations of local culture. The nearby Bolivarian Museum highlights contemporary Caribbean art and the legacy of Simón Bolívar

ANOTHER OCEAN POSSE PERK
FISHERIES SUPPLY PRO ACCOUNT FOR THE OCEAN POSSE  

Get your PRO discount – Follow this link to sign up and order directly with pro pricing >>> 

Primary Named Winds 🌬  PACIFIC COAST OF THE AMERICAS 

Santa Ana Winds  – The Desert Breath That Meets the Sea

Every coastal sailor from San Diego to Santa Barbara has a Santa Ana story. These winds are not the gentle sea breezes we welcome on a hot afternoon, they are the desert’s breath sweeping downhill, gathering speed through canyons, and rushing out over the Pacific, just as you are trying to get to Mexico

They can give you a fast push offshore or punish an ill-prepared yacht at anchor. Like the tides and currents, they’re part of the rhythm of this coast – and respecting them is as essential as charting your course.

Where They Begin

Santa Anas are born inland. When high pressure settles over the Great Basin and low pressure lingers offshore, the gradient pulls air downslope toward the coast. As that air compresses through mountain passes, it warms and accelerates.

By the time it pours out near Los Angeles or San Diego, what began as cool desert air is now hot, dry, and forceful – sometimes steady, sometimes violent. For mariners, it means the wind doesn’t come from the sea, but from the land, reversing the normal pattern and changing the game entirely.

When They Blow

These winds can turn up any month, but the prime season runs September through April, with fall , especially October and November, notorious for the strongest bursts.

A Santa Ana event can last a single night or blow for days. Often the fiercest hours come at 1 AM, you go to sleep with calm seas at anchor and wake up with your rigging howling. By midday, they sometimes ease, but not always.

What to Expect on the Water

Unlike many wind systems, Santa Anas flatten seas near the shoreline. At first glance, it can look like dream sailing , flat water, brisk winds, and a quick reach out of the harbor.

But offshore the story shifts. Pacific swell keeps marching in from the west, and when it collides with strong offshore wind, you get steep, confused chop. The further you press out – toward Catalina, San Nicolas, or beyond,  the rougher and more unpredictable it gets. The Chanel Islands are just far enugh of shore that they are in the brunt of this onslaught.

Closer to shore, gusts funnel through canyons. In one cove it may be dead calm, in the next bay a full gale. Sailors who’ve tried to anchor off Malibu or Newport during a Santa Ana have learned how quickly a secure night can turn into a dragging-anchor nightmare

More Than Wind: Fire and Haze

The Santa Anas are infamous on land for fueling wildfires, and at sea the byproduct is smoke. Ash can drift far offshore, coating decks and dimming horizons. In heavy fire years, visibility drops to a few miles, even in mid-day.

In those conditions, VHF radio, radar and AIS become necessities, after all Long Beach commercial traffic is relentless and playing frogger getting across these busy shipping lanes with smoke is hazardous.

Tactics
Check the pressure map:
 A strong gradient from the Great Basin to the coast is your early warning. NOAA will issue advisories, but the chart tells the story best.

Reef early, reef deep:
If Santa Anas are in the forecast, set conservative sails before you clear the breakwater. It’s easier to shake a reef out than to claw one in under a surprise gust.

Don’t trust the flat seas near shore:
They lull you into a sense of security. Nine miles offshore, it’s a different ocean.

Anchor with the wind in mind:
Harbors that are snug in a westerly swell may be exposed when the wind howls out of the east. Choose your basin accordingly and double your lines.

Fatigue:
The hot, dry wind gnaws at crew morale. Hydrate, rotate watches, and keep tempers cool even when the wind is not.

Sailor’s Dilemma:
One of the great temptations is to let a Santa Ana carry you south. From Los Angeles to San Diego, the offshore push can feel like magic – just do not try to get back into port !

Santa Ana tales float around every gunkhole

A racing fleet bound for Ensenada scattered by a surprise blow, half the boats towed back in by dawn.
A ketch in Newport Harbor dragging across the anchorage at 3 a.m., clattering into half a dozen boats before the crew could reset.
Yachts heading to Catalina enjoying champagne sailing downwind, only to fight back through chop and gale the following day.

we have 2 award entries this week !

THE LAU GROUP 🇫🇯 FIJI 

The Lau Group – Fiji’s Remote Maritime Frontier
For centuries, the Lau Group has been a sailor’s dream and a mariner’s challenge, a scattering of more than 50 islands in Fiji’s far east, bridging the blue expanse between Fiji and Tonga. This is a place where the Pacific’s prevailing trade winds meet ancient voyaging routes, where volcanic peaks rise above turquoise lagoons, and where reef-studded atolls demand respect from even the most experienced navigator.

From a sailor’s perspective, Lau is unlike any other part of Fiji. Supplies are scarce, navigation is intricate, and the rewards are unforgettable. You’re not just visiting a chain of islands – you’re entering a cultural corridor shaped by Melanesian roots, Polynesian influence, and centuries of open-ocean exchange. The villages here are small and tightly knit, and the sevusevu, the ceremonial presentation of kava root to the local chief – is more than a formality; it’s your welcome into the community.

The Lau Group is typically divided into three regions – Northern Lau, Central Lau, and Southern Lau – each with its own landscapes, anchorages, and cultural flavors.

 The Bay of Islands and Beyond

The Northern Lau is often the first landfall for cruisers approaching from Fiji’s main islands. Dominated by Vanua Balavu, this section offers some of the most celebrated anchorages in the South Pacific. Vanua Balavu’s Bay of Islands is a labyrinth of sheltered waterways, limestone cliffs, and hidden coves, perfect for days of dinghy exploration. The village of Lomaloma is the main settlement, where you can arrange provisions, meet friendly locals, and take part in community events.

North of Vanua Balavu lies Qilaqila, a geological wonder of jagged limestone formations and sea caves. These waters are teeming with marine life – ideal for spearfishing and snorkeling – but also require vigilant navigation as reefs can rise abruptly from deep water. In favorable weather, the sail here is exhilarating, with steady trade winds filling your sails and sweeping you across channels used by Pacific voyagers for generations.

For mariners, Northern Lau offers relatively more anchorages than the central and southern sections, but charts can be incomplete, and eyeball navigation remains essential. The reward is access to one of Fiji’s most pristine cruising grounds, where you might share an anchorage with only one or two other yachts.

Use Good Nautical to download the GPX tracks made my SEAGLUB a Hylas 46′

Central Lau – Lakeba and the Heart of Tradition

The Central Lau islands are where Fiji’s history and Tonga’s influence meet most visibly. Lakeba, the traditional seat of the Tui Nayau (the paramount chief of Lau), played a central role in the region’s political and cultural exchanges. The architecture here reflects a mix of Fijian and Tongan styles – steep-pitched roofs, handwoven mats, and intricate carvings. The local dialect carries Tongan inflections, and you’ll often hear stories of the maritime ties between the two nations.
For sailors, Central Lau is less visited, partly due to fewer sheltered anchorages and the challenges of navigating between shallow reefs. Lakeba has a reasonable anchorage in calm conditions, but strong trades can make it rolly. The payoff for making the effort is a warm reception ashore and a deep dive into Lauan culture. Villages are proud of their heritage, and visiting mariners are often invited to join meke performances (traditional song and dance) or share in a communal lovo (earth oven feast).
Nearby islands such as Nayau and Cicia offer a glimpse into subsistence life. Farming, fishing, and weaving dominate daily activities, and the rhythm of life here is dictated more by the tide than the clock. For provisioning, expect the basics – taro, cassava, coconuts, and fresh fish – but little in the way of modern stores, so yachts should arrive well-stocked.

Southern Lau – The Remote Coral Kingdom

Southern Lau is where Fiji dissolves into the blue and meets the open ocean toward Tonga. The islands here are some of the most beautiful and remote in the South Pacific, with Ono-i-Lau and Fulaga standing out as iconic destinations. Fulaga, in particular, is a sailor’s paradise: a ring of coral surrounding a lagoon dotted with hundreds of mushroom-shaped limestone islets. The entrance pass is narrow and must be taken at slack tide, but once inside, you’ll find glassy anchorages and postcard-perfect scenery.

Ono-i-Lau is the easternmost inhabited part of Fiji, and the people here maintain close ties with Tonga, both culturally and through intermarriage. The sailing between these southern islands demands careful timing – strong southeast trades, long passages between safe anchorages, and ocean swell wrapping around the reefs can test seamanship. But the isolation also means you’ll often be the only yacht for days, and your arrival will be noticed and welcomed.

Provisioning here is minimal, with most goods arriving on infrequent supply ships. Fuel is not available, and water must be collected or made onboard. This is bluewater cruising at its most self-reliant – where preparation, weather awareness, and a healthy respect for local knowledge are essential.

SOUTH PACIFIC – MEET THE CRUISING FLEET – SAT AUG 30 – NAWI ISLAND MARINA
Brought to you by the yacht sales co.

• 15:00  YACHT MARKET OVERVIEW FOR BUYERS AND SELLERS PRESENTED BY
  THE YACHT SALES CO

• 15:30  THE PASSAGE TO NEW ZEALAND – PRESENTED BY OCEAN TACTICS

• 16:00 MEET AND MINGLE AND FREE RUM

• 17:00 LET THE FEAST BEGIN …

• 19:00 KAVA AND RUM AFTER HOURS 

OFFICIAL OCEAN POSSE EVENTS

Sat August 2025

SOUTH PACIFIC CROSSING PARTY AT Nawi Island Savusavu 🇫🇯 Fiji

NAWI ISLAND MARINA & RESORT, SAVUSAVU FIJI

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Thu September 2025

THE PASSAGE TO NEW ZEALAND | WEATHER BY BY OCEAN TACTICS

ZOOM, ONLINE

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Thu September 2025

OCEAN POSSE & BEN TAYLOR STREET PARTY @ CANNES 🇫🇷 YACHTING FESTIVAL

TAQUERIA LUPITA, 72 Rue Meynadier, Cannes

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Fri September 2025

OCEAN POSSE @ GENOA 🇮🇹 INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW

Genoa Boat Show, Via dei Cantieri Navali, 16128 Genova GE, Italy

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Wed September 2025

GRAND PAVOIS 🇫🇷 La Rochelle – Sep. 24 2025

Gran Pavois La Rochelle, 20 Av. de la Capitainerie, 17000 La Rochelle, France

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Sat September 2025

OCEAN POSSE 🇪🇸 KICK OFF PARTY @ YACHT PORT CARTAGENA

YACHT PORT CARTAGENA SPAIN, MURCIA SPAIN

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Thu - Sun October 2025

ANNAPOLIS BOAT SHOW 🇺🇸 MARYLAND USA

ANNAPOLIS, Annapolis Town Dock Booth VB 9

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Tue - Fri October 2025

OCEAN POSSE 🇺🇸 SAN DIEGO BAY 4 DAY CRUISING SEMINARS SERIES @ SAFE HARBOR SOUTH BAY

SAFE HARBOR SOUTH BAY EVENT CENTER, CHULA VISTA, SAN DIEGO, CA

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Wed - Sun December 2025

OCEAN POSSE KICK OFF 🇲🇽 BARRA DE NAVIDAD, MEXICO December 3-7 2025

MARINA PUERTO DE LA NAVIDAD, BARRA DE NAVIDAD, MEXICO

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Sun January 2026

FIESTA NAUTICA CLUB DE PESCA CARTAGENA 🇨🇴

CLUB DE PESCA, CARTAGENA COLOMBIA

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Sat January 2026

OCEAN POSSE AT SHELTER BAY 🇵🇦 PANAMA

SHELTER BAY MARINA, FORT SHERMAN, PANAMA

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Thu September 2026

GRAND PAVOIS 🇫🇷 La Rochelle – Sep. 24 2025

Gran Pavois La Rochelle, 20 Av. de la Capitainerie, 17000 La Rochelle, France

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FLOR DE CAÑA RUM SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE EVENTS 

Puffins in Orkney
The Orkney Islands, off the north coast of Scotland, are one of the best places in the UK to see puffins in their natural habitat.
These charismatic seabirds, often called “clowns of the sea,” nest in burrows along the cliffs and grassy headlands of Orkney from late spring to mid-summer.
Puffins usually arrive in April and stay until early August. The peak viewing season is May to July when they’re raising their chicks (called pufflings). They prefer grassy cliff tops where they can dig burrows. You’ll often spot them perched with beaks full of sand eels. Puffins are surprisingly small in real life, about 26–29 cm tall. They spend most of the year out at sea, only coming ashore to breed.

MY HO’OKIPA – Lucky Chucky & Lisa – Selene 43′

PANAMA 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

CENTENARIO CONSULTING

Erick Gálvez
info@centenarioconsulting.com
www.centenarioconsulting.com
Cellphone +507 6676-1376
WhatsApp +507 6676-1376

MARINA DEL ODIEL SPAIN – SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE

Tidbits

FIJI REQUIRES AIS

AIS COMPLIANCE REMINDER
“All vessels in Fiji waters must have AIS activated at all times ”

HURRICANE ERIN

Friday Aug 15 2025 –
Hurricane Erin formed into a Category 1 storm on August 15, 2025, becoming the first hurricane of the Atlantic season with sustained winds of about 75 mph Guided west-northwest, it swept past the northern Leeward Islands and stirred heavy rains, flooding and deadly swells—from Puerto Rico to the Virgin Islands Meteorologists warn of rapid intensification into a major Category 5, hurricane over the weekend as it traverses unusually warm waters . Though landfall isn’t expected, thousands of miles of coastline could still face hazardous surf, rip currents, and beach erosion

NARCO SUBS  FOUND ABANDONED IN THE SOLOMON ISLANDS 

Shipwreck in the Leeward Islands: Two Yachtsmen Rescued

Updated on 08/15/2025

On Friday, August 15, at 7:50 a.m., the JRCC Tahiti received a distress call from the Swedish-flagged sailing vessel “ITORNIA,” which had suffered a water ingress after colliding with an unidentified floating object. The distress beacon located the vessel and its two occupants 55 nautical miles west of Mopelia, in the Society Archipelago, in the Leeward Islands.

The JRCC Tahiti immediately took over coordination of the operation. It confirmed with the two sailors, aged 64 and 69, their ability to evacuate aboard their life raft with food, safety equipment, and their personal belongings. At the same time, JRCC Tahiti made contact with two nearby merchant vessels, the chemical tanker “HAFNIA CHEETAH” (Singapore-flagged) and the cargo vessel “INTREPID” (Cayman Islands-flagged). After analyzing the response times and conditions, JRCC Tahiti diverted the supply vessel “INTREPID,” located three hours away, to pick up the shipwrecked victims and transport them to Tahiti.

Following the abandonment of the sailboat, JRCC Tahiti prepared and issued an urgent notice to mariners to warn of the danger posed by the semi-submerged wreck adrift.

The High Commissioner of the Republic in French Polynesia would like to thank all those involved, and in particular the crew of the “INTREPID“, whose professionalism and rapid and decisive intervention enabled a favorable outcome, demonstrating once again the exemplary solidarity of seafarers.|

Source:  https://www.polynesie-francaise.pref.gouv.fr/Actualites/Communiques-de-presse/2025/Naufrage-aux-iles-sous-le-vent-deux-plaisanciers-secourus

Shout out to Alli Bell

for making history in winning the Transpac race on her vintage Cal boat!!!

San Diegan Makes Sailing History at the Transpacific Yacht Race

JULY SUPER YACHT DENSITY IN ITALY 

According to BOATPro AIS data, Italy in July experienced heavy superyacht activity this July, with Costa Smeralda and La Maddalena recording the highest concentrations, closely followed by Capri, the Amalfi Coast, and the Aeolian Islands.

The heatmap highlights key cruising hotspots, showing busy anchorages and dense yacht traffic along Italy’s most popular summer routes.
For smaller vessels, this means navigating crowded ports, dodging movements between destinations, and adapting to the high density of yachts along the coastline. 

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