Month: March 2020

FLEET UPDATE 2020-03-29

• COUNTRY UPDATES
• Extraordinary C-19 Call log 2020-03-28
• PANAMA - how to figure things out
  
• Panama Logistics - Considerations
• Picture of the Week - active boat quarantine pictures
• Zihuatanejo, MX
• Marina Pez Vela, Quepos, CR
• Mazatlan, MX
• Marina Puesta del Sol - Nicaragua
• Reply
• Opt-Out

"I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship."

Louisa May Alcott

1) COUNTRY UPDATES

Mexico     848 cases 16 †  

Mexico  - vessels can enter and exit in both ports Ensenada & Chiapas
Marina Coral / Ensenada can also drive across the border (US) as they have commercial license plates and pick up and drop off crew.

Mexico has implemented temperature-screening measures at some of its airports.  Passengers with abnormal temperatures and travel to high-risk areas might be subject to additional health screening.

Guatemala    34 cases 1 † 



Guatemala - full lock down - no entry permitted  - Curfew extended to April 28th 

        
The U.S. Embassy has now individually notified all confirmed travelers for the State Department charter flights departing from Guatemala City to Dallas-Ft. Worth (DFW) airport on Saturday, March 28th and Monday, March 30th.  These flights are now fully booked.
There are two additional State Department charter flights scheduled for Tuesday, March 31st. The U.S. Embassy will notify confirmed passengers by Monday, March 30th if they are confirmed for the Tuesday, March 31st flights. 


El Salvador    24 cases   0 †    
El Salvador - full lock down - no entry permitted 

 
Humanitarian Flights
* Saturday, March 28 – Houston, TX (IAH)
* Sunday, March 29 – Houston, TX (IAH)
* Monday, March 30 – Washington, D.C. (IAD)
* Tuesday, March 31 – Los Angeles, CA (LAX)

Honduras    110 cases   2 † 


Honduras - full lock down - no entry permitted 


Nicaragua    4 cases   1 †

Nicaragua - Check in with Marina Puesta del sol 2 days ahead of time
- they will coordinate to send a health inspector out - after which customs, immigration will clear you in 


Costa Rica    295 cases   2 †
Costa Rica - full lock down - no entry permitted 
- exit not possible due to lack of staffing at govt offices


Panama    901 cases  17 †
Panama -  no entry permitted   14 day quarantine has been obtained by some in internal movements
- curfew w 1 hour movement x day for mots with 30 minutes based on ID number - no alcohol sales - 



Total lock down.

“Tue, 03/24/2020 - 18:20
The President of the Republic announced this Tuesday, March 24, that the total quarantine (for 24 hours) will be implemented from tomorrow, from 5:00 in the morning.

"As a government, our responsibility is to preserve the health and integrity of Panamanians at all costs. As of 5:01 am on Wednesday, March 25, I declare total quarantine in the national territory indefinitely, with exceptions," Cortizo.”

People will be allowed out based on the last number of their national id, resident visa or passport. Details to be released shortly.

Planned Military Repatriation Flights (US)
The Embassy is working on two evacuation options via military flights for those U.S. Citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents (LPRs) accompanying U.S. citizen family members wishing to depart Panama. There are no guarantees of these flights or the space available.
There are two U.S. military air flights scheduled for April 2 and 4 with a limited number of seats available; we are in the process of notifying individuals who have already expressed interest in being evacuated from Panama about these flights. 

* April 2, departing Panama Pacifico at 9:05 p.m. and arriving Eglin Air Force Base, Fort Walton Beach, FL, to arrive 1:15 a.m. April 3.
* April 4, departing Panama Pacifico at 4:53 p.m. and arriving Goodfellow Air Force Base, San Angelo, TX, to arrive 8:43 p.m.
Requirements, restrictions, and helpful information:
* The flights are restricted to U.S. citizens and LPRs accompanying U.S. citizen family members.  All passengers must be in possession of a valid U.S. passport or I-551 (green card) in order to qualify for a flight.


FRENCH POLYNESIA 30 cases   0 †
- IS SHUT DOWN / CLOSED 



Colombia 608 cases   6 †
- IS SHUT DOWN
Colombia orders 19-day nationwide quarantine


Ecuador 1,823 cases   48 †
Is Shut Down 


USA 124,683 cases   2237 †
Entry for US vessels only

U.S. Citizen Travelers:

Enroll for alerts at step.state.gov.
In Case of Emergency: Call 1-888-407-4747 (U.S./Canada); +1-202-501-4444 (overseas);
or contact the nearest embassy: go.usa.gov/xduQM

CANADA 5,655 cases   63 †

Dear Canadian,

You are receiving this email because you are registered with the Government of Canada’s Registration of Canadians Abroad (ROCA) service. This notice is to ensure you were informed about the quickly evolving situation related to the Corona Virus (COVID-19).

Panama airspace is closed and there are no new evacuation flights being planned at this time. However our Embassy is preparing a list of Canadians in seeking evacuation to notify them should a flight become available in the future.

To have your name placed on this list, we kindly ask you to please provide the following information for our list if you wish to be notified in case of an available flight:

1. Full name:
2. Valid passport number:
3. Date of birth:
4. Current location in Panama:
5. Telephone number:
6. Transportation means if a flight becomes available:
7. Number of people in group:

The above information is needed for each member of your group. This message is not intended as a guarantee of a flight but the Embassy will do what we can.

Please share the link to register on the ROCA to any Canadians you may be aware of who are still in country
https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/registration

Best regards,

Lilly Nicholls,
Canadian Ambassador in Panama

any one has any additions to this please let us now

2) Extraordinary C-19 Call log 2020-03-28

3) PANAMA - how to figure things out

How to figure out what the he11 is going on

A rough guide by Rob on Avant

I have been pretty diligent at finding and sharing information with the group. Now that we’re back in Canada, I will slow down on my information gathering and sharing. I appreciate the many private messages thanking me for my efforts and thought that I would prepare a rough guide on how I did it so others can step in (and step up).

1. Download and install google’s chrome browser (it auto translates from source languages to your language if it has adequate bandwidth).
2. Find and bookmark links to reliable information in the chrome browser. In Panama, I used la prensa ( https://www.prensa.com ), metro libre (https://www.metrolibre.com/ ), and tele metro ( https://www.telemetro.com/ ). These are (near as I could figure) the three leading reliable news sources in Panama. There will be other local sources in other countries, seek them out. Check them about a couple of times a day. In Panama, the best times are about lunch time and at the end of the day (about 1930). The government seems to schedule press conferences for the end of the day, so that’s when you get the most news. English language expat focussed news sites tend to be both late and light on their coverage.
3. Create a google search for “Panama coronavirus” (or other country as appropriate). Select ‘news’, and under ‘search tools’ select ‘last 24 hours’. Use this search and refresh the page a couple of times a day. 
4. Use Facebook. Search for Panama (or other country) groups (Panama expats, Americans in Panama, Canadians in Panama, Panama cruisers, various embassies in Panama, etc.) and join them. Note the ones you join and visit the pages regularly. All the news will not necessarily show up in your feed.
5. Register with your embassy. If possible, register with other embassies (USA and UK in particular) for email updates. Register with your government’s program for citizens abroad so they push out emails to you. Remember to check your junk mail folder in case stuff they send you lands there. Like and follow their Facebook pages and Twitter accounts as well.
6. Find the locals and local expats who are ‘connected’ and make sure you touch base with them frequently (whether by WhatsApp, face to face, whatever). They often know stuff and don’t share because they’re busy. In shelter bay, that’s Juanjo, elsewhere I don’t know.
7. visit noonsite ( https://www.noonsite.com ) and join it/ create an account. Usually not as up to date as this group, but good for information on nearby areas, where we don’t have Posse ‘feet on the street’.

Then, when you find something out that’s real (as opposed to rumour) and useful, SHARE IT HERE, and SHARE IT ON NOONSITE. Here for obvious reasons, on noonsite because it’s a primary source of information for cruisers coming into this area from elsewhere who aren’t in the Posse yet.

Panama lock down mechanics: you get an hour, plus 30 min on each side for travel.

Departure time per person:

If the ID ends at 7: you can leave at 7:00 am
If the ID ends at 8: you can leave at 8:00 am
If the ID ends at 9: you can leave at 9:00 am
If the ID ends at 0: you can leave at 10:00 am
If the ID ends at 1: you can leave at 1:00 pm
If the ID ends at 2: you can leave at 2:00 pm
If the ID ends at 3: you can leave at 3:00 pm
If the ID ends at 4: you can leave at 4:00 pm
If the ID ends at 5: you can leave at 5:00 pm
If the ID ends at 6: you can leave at 6:00 pm
All adults over 60 years of age, regardless of their ID number, may make their purchases between 11:00 am and 1:00 pm

According to the authorities, each citizen will be allowed to leave 30 minutes before their corresponding time and arrive at their residence 30 minutes later, this means that each person has one hour of mobility, plus an additional hour.

Everybody stay safe and healthy!

Rob & Deb AVANT

4) Panama Logistics - Considerations

Everyone should be made aware of several cases down here.  It may affect decisions.

1. A Canadian citizen and his wife were cruising.  He needed to go back to Canada to work for a couple months but they’re trying to save money so they decided that she would stay on the boat at anchor in Boca Chica.  Two problems.  Panama closed the airport to international travel with very short notice and he couldn’t join her. She’s a German citizen and they’re only common-law married, so even if Canada made available an evac flight, she couldn’t get on it.

2. A different German citizen wanted to catch the German evac flight to Germany.  He thought he had done everything correctly but then the local airport closed to commuter flights and he had to rent a car to get to the main airport. But he didn’t count on needing extra time to get through the road blocks enacted at the provincial borders and wasn’t able to make the evac flight.

3. A sailor who is crewing on boats thought they had a position and traveled to Panama City.  When that gig fell through, they had to spend over 10 hours with the police to get back to Vista Mar because the government was restricting all travel from the capitol city to the outer provinces.

It’s easy to say in hindsight that they should have done this or that but sometimes events override our plans.

The point of these explanations is that even if you think you’re being prudent, it’s best to make decisions VERY early and allow as much time as possible.  If you think that you can wait until the last minute, you may have the rug pulled out from under you by fast moving events.

Bob & Carol
SINGUALIRTY

5) Pictures of the Week -  active boat quarantine pictures

Selfie of Nicole / Maison de Sante in Barra de Navidadwith Carinthia in the Background
Nicole up on the Mizzen Mast  - Barra de Navidad

Keenan & Nicole

MAISON DE SANTE

6) Zihuatanejo , MX
Avalon is currently Zihuatanejo
where the beaches are slightly quiet but with school’s about to double the Easter holiday starting next Friday they could get busy.
Stores (larger) are for the most part fully stocked with lots a customers out, look forward to seeing you as we make our way sloowly back to PV

Rick & Karen
AVALON

7) Quepos, Costa Rica
SV BlessedLife in Quepos marina Pez Vela. Beautiful! We will move on in a few days

Bob & Margie

BLESSED LIFE

8) Mazatlan, MX

SeaGlub anchored, Outer Anchorage 35'

Inner Dock

Inner Anchorage
Chris

SEAGLUB

9) Marina Puesta del Sol - Nicaragua

This is one of the undisputed relaxing gems along this
Panama Posse route and a welcome respite in a serene and tranquil setting.

You can leave your vessel and explore this incredible interesting country.  If you are a political junky there is are a lot of geopolitical  layers to explore here.

Visiting the UNESCO world heritage sites of Leon, Lake Nicaragua and Granada from here is as easy as renting a car and driving on well paved roads.

Plus you get to visit the Flor de Caña Rum Factory nearby.

Clearing in is fairly easy - for south bound vessels - its a short
sail from the Golfo de Fonseca via a well marked entrance into a lovely estuary.

To check out the 27+ anchorages and UNESCO sites visit Good Nautical
http://www.goodnautical.com/gma/nicaragua?field_gma_value=NI

Here is the track
http://www.goodnautical.com/route/marina-puesta-del-sol-puerto-sandino-outer-anchorage

Aerial View of Marina Puesta del Sol

Below are the costs to clear in and out of Nicaragua which can be done at the Marina -
just let them know when you plan to arrive

To book ahead and get your 20% Panama Posse Marina discount contact Juantia Garcia

Tel: + (505) 8880-0013
       +(505) 8880-0019     
       +(505) 8883-0781

email: administracion@marinaps.com

10) Please reply to this email with

– your updates - self quarantine
– contenders for picture of the week –
– relevant blog posts – and of course your valuable suggestions

and we’ll include it in the next FLEET UPDATE – Keep em ‘coming

Dietmar & Suzanne
Sheltering in place in Barra de Navidad
SV Carinthia

11) Opt-out from Fleet Updates simply reply with “REMOVE“

by panamaposse

FLEET UPDATE 2020-03-22

• Extraordinary Fleet Call 
• Vessel Location in order of signup
  
• The governor of Jalisco
• A big Thank You to our Sponsors
• Dangerous Bar Crossing in El Salvador
  
• Pictures of the Week
  
• Carnival Floats in Zihuatanejo, MX
• Update from Ullman Sails - Puerto Vallarta, MX
  
• Update from Marina Puerto de la Navidad, MX
• Update from Shelter Bay Marina, Panama 
• Update from Chiapas Marina, MX
• Update from Red Frog Marina, Panama 
• Update from Marina Vallarta, MX
• Update from Marina Ixtapa, MX
• Panama Posse Event Vallarta Yacht Club postponed to later
  
• El Salvador, Activities 
• WILDERNESS FIRST AID & OFFSHORE EMERGENCY MEDICINE
 -> next season
• Safety reminder
• Line App
  
• Sign up for next season
  
• Opt out
  

1) Extraordinary Fleet Call Sat Mar 21, 2020

As of today  March 21th 2020 here is where each country stands 

Mexico 

USA and Mexico - border closings but commercial entry permitted

Guatemala - full lock down - no entry permitted 


El Salvador - full lock down - no entry permitted 



Honduras - full lock down - no entry permitted


Nicaragua - Check in possible  with Marina Puesta del sol ahead of time - they will coordinate to send a health inspector out - after which customs, immigration will clear you in 


Costa Rica - no change but upon entry you may be asked about prior countries / health issues - crew flying in from overseas will be subject to questioning at airport(s) 


Panama - no entry permitted  but a 14 day quarantine has been obtained by some - vessel must stay at anchor ( this will be supported by marinas with deliveries of items at cost of water / food and basic supplies )  in the Atlantic side come into colon - in colon you can anchor out and Juan is delivering water provisions and uncertain - entry to Panama -
vessels which went to San Blas and 3 boats got into marina and had not been outside from uncertain - come into marina 


This is a quick summary of issues in Panama regarding Covid. Panama will halt international travel Sunday 3/22/2020 at 23:59, no personnel in or out. Time frame was established as 30 days. I believe all 200 active cases are in the district of Panama City. If you enter that district, you will not be able to leave it. Some Panamanians who live in one district and work in another may get a permit to travel between them. There are bio-borders set up internally to the districts and also at district borders. I believe that temperatures are taken at those location, and hence travel is very long and drawn out. All marinas are closed to bringing in new boats. They require 14 days at quarantine anchor before they consider you coming into port. If you are coming into Panama from another country, then and agent might be able to get your boat checked in, but you won’t be able to get to the customs office for your visa. Shelter bay is helping by bringing out supplies if necessary. Green Flash left Vista Mar and told that there would be no problems coming back, but that changed within two days. They are currently anchored off of the marina. As to transit the canal, check with an agent, but there is no way of getting lines and fenders to the boat, as well as line handlers. Even if you have that equipment and personnel on board anyhow, the Canal Authority does not want to risk the measuring advisor or the transit advisor. If they get sick, that prevents them from using those resources when restrictions are relieved.
Shelter in place, and hope you have enough CERVEZA, because they also have halted sale of that commodity. The restaurants are take out only, grocery stores are limiting the number of people in the building, and there is a curfew from 2100-0500 and it is DEFINITELY being enforced. A Cruisers plans are written in sand at low tide. Stay safe everyone. Walt

Puerto Rico  - many marinas are closed - coming through Vieques culebra  closed  9 PM- 5 AM curfew 


Hawaii  - 14 day quarantine

Colombia - closed with 19-day nationwide quarantine


Ecuador Is  Shut Down 


French Polynesia IS SHUT DOWN

is any one has and specific additions to this please let us now

2) Vessel Location in order of signup https://panamaposse.com/2019-2020-vessels

3) The governor of Jalisco has asked everyone to stay secluded for the next 5 days

4)  A big thank you to all of our sponsors

Official Panama Posse  Sponsors, Partners and Ambassadors

• Marina Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Vallarta – Mexico 
• Marina Puerto de La Navidad – Barra de Navidad – Mexico 
• Marina Ixtapa, Ixtapa – Mexico 
• La Marina Acapulco, Acapulco – Mexico 
• Marina Chiapas – Mexico 
• 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 
• Banana Bay Marina – Costa Rica 
• Vista Mar Marina – Panama 
• Shelter Bay Marina – Panama 
• Red Frog Marina – Panama 
• Bocas Marina – Panama 

• NOVAMAR INSURANCE  
• ULLMAN SAILS PUERTO VALLARTA 
• PREDICT WIND 
• SEVENSTAR YACHT TRANSPORT 

Official Panama Canal Agent

• Centenario & Co.S.A. Eric Galvez – Panama

Official Panama Posse Ambassadors

• Jaime Figueroa Navarro – Panama
• Bill & Jean – El Salvador Rally, El Salvador
• Ralph Hewitt – Nicaragua

Panama Posse Partners

• Vicente’s Moorings – Acapulco – Mexico
• Discover Tours Chiapas – Mexico
• Park Avenue Villas – San Juan del Sur – Nicaragua
• Coconutz – Annual Papagayo Victory Party – Playa Cocos – Costa Rica
• Abernathy – Chandlery – Panama
• Advertising Partners – Las Vegas
• Safe-Esteem.com – Delaware

5) Dangerous Bar Crossing in El Salvador

Originally Bill had closed the bar Monday-Wednesday and we were slotted to leave Thursday. He soon thereafter said the forecast had changed and we could leave Wednesday. During this whole time Chris was predicting sizable swell. We walked out to the bar Monday to take a look. Surf wasn’t that big but we couldn’t really see well enough to judge from our vantage point on the beach. We told Bill we’d be happy to wait until Thursday if he thought it best but he said Wednesday would be fine. Steve took a drone shot on which it appeared there was a channel with no breakers. So we went. Jean Anne went first. Bill had them accelerating and then waiting at intervals to find a break in the swell. They caught some air, got a bit wet, but made it okay. At one point Bill in the panga was behind us and called Jean Anne saying “How are you guys doing? I can’t see you from where I am.” Once they were clear and we were moving forward, we got the same instructions. Throttle up here, wait a minute there. As we got to the worst part of the breakers, we were instructed to wait. Unfortunately we were too far forward and were already in the breaking waves. We took two over the bow. The third breaking wave crashed over Volare, ripping the dodger from the deck, tearing jerry cans from the rails, and slamming down on us in the cockpit. The dodger was still attached by the piece that zips to the bimini, and was lying mangled across the cockpit table. At the helm, Adam could not see forward so I called out directions for him to steer us out of the surf. Luckily, no more large waves were in front of us. We smelled diesel and looked in the gunnel to see the jerry cans floating in a slush of diesel and seawater. One of the caps had come off one of the cans and 2 1/2 gallons spilled before we could right the can. It’s amazing how slippery diesel can make the deck and your shoes and your hands. We were still in pretty big swells and trying to hold on while doing damage control was a challenge. We spent the next hour or so recovering and assessing the situation. We nearly lost a few lines that were lying on the coach roof under the dodger but they had snagged on the rails. Very luckily nothing got in the prop! Everything else had been tied down. One solar shower was hanging over the side but was attached to a cleat so we were able to pull it back aboard. The drinking cups and Adam’s cell phone had been in cup holders set in the cockpit table. We found them washing around on the cockpit sole. The jerry can covers were soaked in diesel and had to be removed and the cans re-tied to the rail. The nylon webbing with plastic buckles holding them to the toe rail proved no match for that wave. At first we believed the dodger was destroyed as it sat in a mangled heap in the cockpit. Once we lifted it up we could see that the stainless tubes had been pulled out of the cups with set screws holding it to the deck. The bolt ropes on the lower part of the front of it had ripped free, leaving the bolt rope still in the mangled track with ripped stitches hanging out. A few screws in the bolt rope track were ripped from the deck. We were able to lift it back up and replace the tubing in the cups. The frame was miraculously intact! We had to clip the windows up and out of the way for the rest of the passage to Chiapas. We are hopeful the bolt ropes can be sewn back into place and the track glued where it is broken.

We had taken the crossing seriously and prepared carefully, which is why this isn’t a worse disaster. Everything in the cockpit was down below, including cushions. Our dog was wearing her life vest and was tethered to the cockpit table, which is very stout on our boat. As the waves were hitting us, I was sitting on the cockpit bench leaning over her. After the wave slammed us, she was soaked and pretty sad looking, with her life jacket strobe going off, but she was unhurt. We had removed our paddle boards from their racks on the bow rail and stowed them below. Had they been in their usual spot I have no doubt they would have been ripped from the boat, along with the stanchions to which they were mounted. The dinghy was on the davits, about six feet above the water. It did take on water as the wave crashed down, but no damage was done. We had seriously debated about putting it on the bow and decided against it. It’s difficult to say now what the right decision would be. Because our davit system is extremely strong, we suffered no damage. If the dinghy had been on the bow, it may have been fine or it may have torn loose or sustained damage. We can’t know. After surviving that wave, though, I would never leave it on the davits while entering the bar when the waves come from behind. We had also removed the motor and placed it on the stern rail, removing about 100 pounds from the dinghy.
 

When we arrived in Chiapas last night, we received an email from Bill apologizing for what happened. He said that the swell was larger than he anticipated based on the forecast. Because of its size, he, in the pilot panga, had to move back to keep from getting swamped and could not see what conditions we were in. I only wish that when he made that decision he had informed us and we could have exercised our own judgement. Our instinct was to throttle forward and get out of the breakers but the last instructions we received were to wait where we were.  I don’t think he realized we were stopped in the most dangerous part.

In my hindsight opinion, the bar should not have been open that day. Chris was absolutely right. From afar he was able to see that conditions would not be good for crossing and I think Posse boats should give more credence to those observations. Our haste to cross and get to Mexico in light of all the border closures led to us crossing too soon. Just because the bar is open doesn’t relieve skippers of their responsibility to assess conditions for themselves and make their own judgement calls. Having zero experience with bar crossings, we felt that if they opened the bar it must be okay. It was definitely not okay. The wave that hit us was massive. As you both know, Volare is a tall boat. She has high freeboard, a deck salon coach roof, and a dodger that is six and a half feet above the cockpit sole. For a wave to slam down on that tells you it must have been insane.
 

We are all healthy and well and glad our sturdy home handled the waves as well as she did. The force of that wave could have easily broken bones but it didn’t. We are grateful for that! The message behind this story is to encourage sailors to take these dangerous areas seriously. Never assume that you will encounter benign conditions. Take every precaution you can think of. You won’t have time to do anything when you’re out there. Do it all and do it before you go. Listen to and consider all the information. One source from afar looking at the forecast and saying the swell looks pretty big should hold as much weight as the local source saying it looks like it should be okay. Take the most conservative course of action.
 

This is not to second guess ourselves or diminish the advice of those who watch the bar every day. Sometimes shit happens. We will recover from this. We’d just prefer it not to happen to anyone else. Now you two know our story. Hopefully you can use it to advise sailors in the future!

Bill has said he has pictures he’ll send if we want to see them. I’m not sure I do but in the interest of helping others I will request them and forward them on to you. Steve and Adam also have GoPro footage we’ve yet to see.

Thank you for all you’re doing and keep it up! Stay healthy!

Jessica & Adam

VOLARE

6) Pictures of the Week

Rocinante Shelter in Place

Bill & Lisanne
ROCINANTE

Exiting the Bar El Salvador

Chelsea & Steve

JEAN ANNE

Bahia Herradura, Costa Rica

( sorry lost the email so credit is missing )

7) Carnival Floats in Zihuatanejo, MX

No social distancing in Zihua last weekend as thousands watched the cool floats of Carnival go through town

Kris and Bob
LUNA

8) Update from Ullman Sails - Puerto Vallarta

Ullman Sails will be open and operating as scheduled during this event.  We will continue as long as regulations allow as we are a small staff and work isolated.

Our pick up schedules of Tuesdays in Marina Vallarta and Nuevo Vallarta, and Paradise Village, and Thursdays in La Cruz Nayarit will continue until further notice.

We understand these are hard times and will do our best to help you keep cruising where it is most likely the best place to be. 
We wish all of you a healthy and safe future as we all deal with this pandemic.

Chuck Skewes

+1 619-871-2171

Ullman Sails Puerto Vallarta

9) Update from Marina Puerto de la Navidad, MX

Puerto de la Navidad for Long term and Hurricane season - letter from Insurance Group
Secundino Alvarez 
harbormaster@islaresort.com.mx
Marina Puerto de la Navidad

10) Update from Shelter Bay Marina, Panama

Hola Panama Posse !!

As off right now panama in 14 day quarantine for all arriving vessels.  Vessels that have been in panamá for more than 2 weeks we are trying to get them to port but need to provide documentation and i need approval of health dept. and Aeronaval to allow them Access.   Al vessels at quarantine zone will be visied daily for provision deliveries!!

The situation with ports around the world is constanly changing.  I would love to have everybody come to SHelter Bay Marina, but my advise is, if you and your vessel are at a secured port, stay there until the situation is under control, leaving a secured port hoping to get to another and the be turned around wont be a pleasant experience.

Shall i be of assistance please let me know

Saludos,

Juanjo Boschetti

General Manager
Shelter Bay Marina
juanjo@shelterbaymarina.com
www.shelterbaymarina.com
+507-6813-5327 Here in Shelter Bay we are in a soft lockdown by now- soft because 1 person per crew is still allowed to go shopping by bus. For now. Other than that we are confined to the marina with a closed restaurant and a closed pool.  There are many kids boats though and yesterday we parents had a meeting discussing how best to approach the Corona virus. With kids social distancing is nearly impossible. They play with each other and they move freely between boats. We discussed how to talk to our children about it, how to minimize the risk of spreading anything and maybe if we should organize some safe groups activities to keep them occupied while not being able to move anywhere. Low risk activities can include treasure hunts or playing soccer. For crafts and arts, everyone can take their own supplies with them. The kids need to forget everything about sharing that we ever taught them 🤣. As for hygiene, in front of every kid boat we placed a bucket with soap water. Before entering a boat the kids have to wash hands. As long time as it takes to sing Happy birthday twice ;) . Also as soon as stepping off a boat the kids need to wash hands again. That way we hope to make sure no bacteria or worse spreads between the boats while not locking in the kids. 
daniela.rausch@gmail.com

11) Message from Marina Chiapas, MX

Hello I'm Memo Garcia

manager of marina chiapas just to remind you that we have always had our support to do any procedure, in the case of the border the taxi fee is charged and they are accompanied by a person from the marine trust, you just have to request it

and we have never had any problems

UN FUERTE ABRAZO

MEMO

memogarcia@marinachiapas.com.mx

12) Message from Red Frog Marina, Panama

Hi all from Red Frog Marina in Bocas Del Toro Panama. Red Frog Marina is open to vessels that are checked into Panama and have been in Panama waters for 14 days or more. When you send in a reservation, there will be a short questionnaire for you to fill out.Look forward to hearing from you!

Safe Sailing, Deci

DDavis@IGYMarinas.com

13) Update from Marina Vallarta, MX

We Will try to keep things as normal as possible but we are taking steps towards being at the office the shortest time we can.

Vessels as of today are free to enter as long as they are not coming from other countries.

It is not advisable to leave marina Vallarta at this time since all ports should be closing soon depending on the outbreak.

Puerto Vallarta has many hospitals and also airport only 5 minutes away.

Stay safe and first of all try to stay clean and not in contact to many people.

God help us all.

Sincerely.

Lic Pablo Fernandez G.
Harbor Master
Paseo de la Marina S/N Interior 3
Colonia Marina Vallarta.
Teléfono (322) 221-02-75 (322) 221-07-22
e-mail pablo@marina-vallarta.com.mx
Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, México.

14) Update from Marina Ixtapa, MX

Hello Panama Posse ,

I just want to let you know that Marina Ixtapa has completed the dredging works. Channel is open now and the depth we have is 4 meters.

Best Regards

Lic. Elsa Zuñiga

Marina Ixtapa

Phone: 011-52-755-553-2180/011-52-755-553-0222

ezuniga@marina-ixtapa.com

reservations@marina-ixtapa.comwww.marina-ixtapa.com

14) Panama Posse Event Vallarta Yacht Club postponed

The whole Banderas Bay area is shutting down due to Coronavirus concerns.
The club has cancelled pretty much all its events that bring groups of people into the club. We need to postpone your event too.
Feel free to  give me a call to discuss this. My phone number is +52 322 181 9109

Regards

Dick Locke

15) El Salvador,
We are enjoying ourselves as we make tough choices in El Salvador. We made it across the bar into Bahia del Sol less than a week before the country's borders were closed to foreigners. We were surprised at the dock by our marina neighbors from San Diego who presented our welcome drinks. We're lucky to be here and enjoying every minute! We traveled inland to San Salvador and stayed in a house with a real jacuzzi on the side of the volcano. We hiked around part of the rim and enjoyed views of the caldera and the Pacific at the same time. We then traveled to the town of Suchitoto and soaked up the El Salvadoran hospitality in this quaint town. Now it's back to the boats and the decision to continue on or return to Mexico!

Meeting Sam and David on the dock after crossing the bar

Adam at the caldera's edge

Foxy enjoying the hospitality in Suchitoto

The jacuzzi in the nearly 6000 foot elevation house over San Salvador

The path around the rim of the caldera at Boqueron National Park

Jessica & Adam

VOLARE

16) We are planing for next year’s 2020/2021Panama Posse,
and are considering on partnering with WMA and offering a 2-3 day intensive class on the following

*  WILDERNESS FIRST AID
*  OFFSHORE EMERGENCY MEDICINE

these are U.S. Coast Guard approved to satisfy First Aid and CPR training requirements 
of 46 CFR 11.201(i)(1) for merchant marine licenses and cost will be around 500- 750 pp stay tuned for sign up - let us know if interested or any other considerations

17) Safety reminder

A strong dinghy lock and thick long cable

Season One of the Panama Posse took the brunt and we have identified areas which are prone to dinghy and outboard theft-

but as always bring your dingy and outboard up at night and lock it with a hard lock !

ABUS 92/65 Mono-block Brass Padlock
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B005UMBCDW/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_kUZODbHH915CZ

18) Get on the LINE app !

Please make sure to sign up with Line.me so you can participate in our weekly LINE calls on Mondays; at 16:00 UTC
and be part of the 24/7 chatroom anytime
Once you have downloaded it - find dietmarpetutschnig ( carinthia ) and send a message

we'll add you to the 2019-2020 Panama Posse group

19) As always -SIGN ME UP AGAIN - if you want to sign up again for next season - simply let us know

keep 'em coming - reply with any relevant updates
- next update next Sunday

SV Carinthia

Dietmar & Suzanne

20) to opt out - reply with opt out 

by panamaposse

FLEET UPDATE 2020-03-15

• Quaranta Giorni - 40 days
• Summary of extraordinary line call
• Marina Puesta del Sol - Nicaragua Volcano Slay
  Rides
• Inspirational Picture of the Week
• Panama Posse Pot Luck - Nicaragua
  
• Panama, Bocas del Toro, Isla Bastimento,
  Ngöbe Indians
• HIP HIP HOORAY - this season's Speedy Gonzalez award
  !!!
• Uninvited Visitor of the week
  
• CROSSROADS SAFETY/SECURITY TELEPHONE NUMBERS
  
• A word to our liquor sponsor 
  
• Zijuatanejo Guitar Fest, Mexico
• Uninvited Visitor of the week II
• THE 2020-2021 Panama Posse is forming
  
• Please reply to this email with any 
• opt-out
  

1) Quaranta Giorni - 40 days

Quarantine is the restriction of movement of people, animals
and goods intended to prevent the spread of disease or
pests.
Used in connection to limit disease and illness, and preventing
the movement of those who may have been exposed to a
communicable disease,
but do not have a confirmed medical diagnosis.

The word quarantine comes from a seventeenth-century Venetian
variant of the Italian quaranta giorni, meaning "forty
days",
the period that all ships were required to be
isolated before passengers and crew could go ashore during the
Black Death plague epidemic.

2) summary of extraordinary line call

As of today  March 13th 2020 here is where each country
stands



Mexico  - no change but upon entry you may be asked
about prior countries / health issues (expect changes in 14
days or sooner to this policy ) 

Guatemala - full lock down - no entry permitted 

El Salvador - full lock down - no entry permitted


Honduras - Isla el Tigre - no info - recommendation is
anchor with Q flag - hail officials - do not go ashore until
given the permission to do so 


Nicaragua - Check in with Marina Puesta del sol ahead
of time - they will coordinate to send a health inspector out
- after which customs, immigration will clear you in 

Costa Rica - no change but upon entry you may be asked
about prior countries / health issues - crew flying in from
overseas will be subject to questioning at airport(s) 

Panama - 14 day quarantine - vessel must stay at anchor
( this will be supported by marinas with deliveries of items
at cost of water / food and basic supplies )
no deduction for travel days 14 days when you get to the
quarantine areas(s)

3) Marina Puesta del Sol - Nicaragua Volcano Slay Rides

View from marina restaurant

Moonrise over the Puesta del sol pool

$3.50 US dinner at Joe's, a 3 minute walk from the marina

Volcan Cerro Negro Welcome Center

You can sled down this mountain

Windy at the top of the volcano

Before sledding

Brian kicking up an ash cloud sledding down the volcano

After sledding

Lunch at Al Cielo

Post lunch nap at Al Cielo

Luis tour guide contact

Brian & Liz

HALFMOON

4) inspirational Picture of the Week

Brian & Liz

HALFMOON

5) Panama Posse Pot Luck - Nicaragua

Panama Posse Potluck in Puesta del Sol, 7 posse boats!

Brian & Liz

HALFMOON

6) Panama, Bocas del Toro, Bastimento,
Ngöbe Indians

Hello Panama Posse!

We’ve recently been contacted by a
sailing family of 5 in northeast Panama. They live onboard
their vessel in Red Frog Marina (one of the Posse Sponsors!)
on Isla Bastimento. They work for YWAM Ships and are
attempting to repair/set up/return to operational status a
base on the island. They’ve reached out to us for help (she
found our website after a Google search) but we are on the
Counter Posse heading north (currently in Chiapas, Mexico).
Wrong body of water.

I sent that response quickly in case I lost
service. They’re a family of five with 3 boys from Minnesota
I think. They’ve been in Panama for 3 years, “We have
joined the YWAM ships base, Outpost Panama and are serving
as the operating location leader (base leader).  We are
reaching out to the Ngöbe Indians that live on isolated
islands in this region of Panama as well as local
Panamanians and Ex-Patriots from all over the world who
live here.”

We were wondering and hoping that some of
you might be looking for a good cause to help out. They
desperately need a fence built around their base. She says
they also need help with plumbing, electrical/solar, new
construction, and remodeling. They also have some
much-needed repairs to be done on their sailboat (teak
decks, paint the steel, and build bunks). They are in a
situation where they cannot leave the island. It may be that
they need someone to deliver parts/materials that they
order, or just some hands to help with the physical labor.
She says they “cannot pay anything, but would graciously feed
and love on them while they were working.”  I’m happy
to pass along their contact information to anyone that would
like to learn more. Please reach out to us through email (ankyrios@whereverthewindsblows.org)
or the Line app (Ankyrios).

Thanks everyone!!

Dennis, Brandy & Crew

ANKYRIOS

7) HIP HIP HOORAY - this season's
Speedy Gonzales award !!!First Counterposse vessel arrival in Barra de Navidad

Brad, Krista & ColeSALTAIR III

8) Uninvited Visitor of the week

Brian & Liz

HALFMOON

9) CROSSROADS SAFETY/SECURITY
TELEPHONE NUMBERS (Diane last season actually called every
number)
U.S. COAST GUARD RESCUE COORDINATION CENTER
    Rescue Coordination Center:  (510) 437-3701.  This is
the number for group receiving EPIRB emergency beacon
distress signals.  They will coordinate with local country
Coast Guards if boater is outside of the U.S. and they have
translators, as the numbers at the local country Coast
Guards in Central America will speak Spanish.  They said it
would be ok to call them in emergency.

CENTRAL AMERICA COUNTRY COAST GUARD CONTACT NUMBERS
    These numbers were given to me by the U.S. Coast Guard
Rescue Coordination Center.  The individuals from these
local Coast Guards will speak Spanish when you call them. 
If you cannot communicate with them, the Rescue Coordination
Center can call them, but that will take more time.
 
  El Salvadore Coast Guard:  (505) 22500210,   Extension
5103
    Nicaragua Coast Guard:      (504)22342507
    Costa Rica Coast Guard:      (506) 22314924
    Panama Coast Guard:           (507) 60451197

CALIFORNIA COAST GUARD OFFICES WHO COULD BE  called
if you cannot reach rescue coordination center, however the
local coast guards will likely just go through the Rescue
Center:
    Coast Guard Sector LA/Long Beach:  310 521-3815
    Channel Islands office:  805 985-9822

VHF EMERGENCY CHANNEL FOR MAYDAY: 16

U.S. COAST GUARD EMERGENCY SSB CHANNELS
MHZ                     UTC time
4.125        2300-11
6.125        24 hr.
8.290        24 hr.
12.290        1100-2300

HAM SSB NETS

World wide emergency Ham net:  14.313    24 hr.
Pacific Seafares Net 14300 @
0300 UTC 
Central America Ham net:  7.083   UTC time 1300

CENTRAL AMERICA EMBASSY CONTACT INFORMATION.  Go to www.usembassy.gov/
for further information.  For Central America embassies,
emergency number is +1-202-501-4444, and press “0”,  from 8
a.m. – 5 p.m. EST.  When dialing embassy numbers below
probably start with “ +” depending on phone service.   

    COSTA RICA
    +506 2519 2000
    Calle 98 Via 104, Pavas,     San Jose, Costa Rico

    EL SALVADOR
    +503 2501 2999
    Final Blvd. Santa Elena,     Antiguo Cuseatlan, La
Libertad,     San Salvador   

    GUATEMALA
    +502 2326 4000
    Avenida Reforma 7-01, Zona 10, Guatemala Cuidad,
Guatemala

    HONDURAS
    +504 2238 5114 (after hours X4100)
    +504 2236 9320 (per embassy website, but not
communications received:  011-504 2236 9320)
    Avenida La Paz,     Tegucigalpa MDC, Honduras

    MEXICO
    +52 55 5080-2000
    Paseo de la Reforma 305, Colonia Cuauhtenoc,     06500
Mexico, DF

    NICARGUA
    +505 2252-7100
    Kilometer 5.5 Carreter Sur, Managua, Nicagagua

    PANAMA
    +507 317 5000
    Bldg 783, Demetrio Basilio Lakas Ave, Clayton, Panama

REPORT U.S. CITIZEN MISSING ABROAD:  1-888-407-4747

GLOBAL MARINE DISTRESS SAFETY SYSTEM:      1-888-407-4747,
press “0” for overseas citizen emergency services.

DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION MARITIME ADMINISTATION, OFFICE
OF MARITIME SECURITY. 

They provide information on piracy and safety and security,
and you can sign up for alerts by going online.
    Emergency:  1-202-501-4444 (8-8 EST, M-F)

Stan & Diane 

10) A word from our liquor sponsor of
the week

Cheers to getting stuck in tropical places with good
friends!! :)

Arriba         (glasses up)

Abajo         (glasses down)

Al centro      (glasses to the
front clinking)

y adeeentrooo   (! gulp it down)

Steve & Chelsea

JEAN ANNE

11) Zijuatanejo Guitar Fest, Mexico

Mark & Cindy

DELTA SWIZZLER

12) Uninvited Visitor of the week II

Jay & Kelley
JO

13) THE 2020-2021 Panama Posse is
forming - 24 vessels signed up already

To sign up for next Panama Posse season -
please reply with - sign me up !

14) Please reply to this email
with any  updates and we'll include it in the next Fleet
Updates

Dietmar & Suzanne
SV Carinthia

15) opt-out from the Fleet Updates simply
reply with "REMOVE"

by panamaposse

FLEET UPDATE 2020-03-01

1. SEVENSTAR YACHT TRANSPORT PARTNERS WITH THE PANAMA POSSE
2. Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo MX
3. Cruiser Safety Alert - CUSTOMS @ Border Town Talisman, Chiapas, MX *
   
4. Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala
5. Picture of the Week
   
6. Punta Guiones, Costa Rica
7. Vista Mar Marina Rates, Panama 
8. Rounding of Punta Mala, PANAMA
9. Passing Ships at night, Papagayo Winds
10. Boca Chica, PANAMA
11. About heading across the Pacific
12. San Blas, Panama
13. * Situational awareness levels
14. Zihuatanejo, MX
15. Notice to Mariners: Marina Ixtapa, Channel Closing
16. Sailing into Playas Del Coco, Costa Rica
17. Early Warning of new exit Requirements from Mexico in Chiapas
18. Panama Canal, Successful Passage
19. Boca Chica, Panama
20. PANAMA CANAL, PANAMA 
21. Satellite .mbtiles which work deliciously with OpenCPN 5.0+
22. Please reply to this email
23. Opt-Out 

1) We welcome our newest Sponsor
SEVENSTAR YACHT TRANSPORT PARTNERS WITH THE PANAMA POSSE Sevenstar is proud to be the logistics partner of choice for the PANAMA POSSE fleet,
and will be providing tailored solutions from Golfito in Southern Costa Rico, Manzanillo, La Paz to Ensenada, Mexico and Victoria,Canada and beyond.

For more information about how Sevenstar can help your extend your plans or return you back to
home base for the transport of your yacht, please contact Kris Caren kris@sevenstar-usa.com & mention the
Panama Posse and you'll get your discount as well For more information about PANAMA POSSE and Sevenstar Yacht Transport BV please visit the below websites:

https://panamaposse.com/
https://www.sevenstar-yacht-transport.com/

2) Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo MX
Independence (CounterPosse)  finally left Key West and made it to beautiful
Isla Mujeres, Quintana Roo MX, where we enjoyed a beautiful sunrise (see attached photo.

We are now in Puerta Aventuras and plan on being to Bay Islands Honduras by this weekend.

Larry & Jamie

INDEPENDENCE

3) Cruiser Safety Alert - CUSTOMS @ Border Town Talisman, Chiapas, MX

This is Steve and Chelsea on s/v Jean Anne.
I'm writing to you this morning to please include an alert to all cruisers passing through Chiapas that they should be warned to avoid Talisman, Mexico (Mexico-Guatamala border crossing) under ALL circumstances.

Yesterday, Friday Feb. 28th, we needed to go to the Guatemalan border to deal with a VISA issue. We were told by the Marina Chiapas manager that his immigration friend recommended we go to the border - that the airport was not an option to get our issue resolved. Unaware of which crossing to go to, we headed to the more Northern border known as "Talisman".

When we arrived, we immediately encountered young Mexican men with fraudulant ID badges that attempted to sell us faked Visas. One man claiming to be a Mexican official (with an official, Mexican-sealed and stamped-looking badge) brought us into the correct immigration office, likely to gain our trust. We would learn hours later this man was NOT a Mexican official and was a fraud/criminal looking for money either via tip or by force.  It quickly became apparent that he was also working with at least six or more other males and was doing all of this criminal activity in open-sight on both sides of the border unabated.

While at the border, we were required to cross into Guatemala twice. As soon as we entered, it became obvious there was a significant criminal element working in coordination and absolutely no police presence at all.

A series of incidents occurred while we were at this crossing that could have very easily been life-threatening, including having our passports taken by these unknown men and finding ourselves literally surrounded by five men at one point.
We are warning all cruisers to avoid this border under ALL circumstances, unless escorted by an offical approved by the marina office. 

Steve & Chelsea

JEAN ANNE

(note: we know STEVE coming out of the law enforcement field has ample experience
Carinthia cancelled their tip in 2018 @ Talisman and it was an ok experience albeit slow
- when we went back to Mexico in 2019 the Marina Chiappas advised us
to not go to Talisman but
to opt for the Border crossing customs station at Ciudad Hidalgo, MX @ 14°40'37.9"N 92°08'57.1"W

This worked well but the situation is fluid in many parts due to the migrant crisis in Central America
so in the area so PLEASE USE CAUTION -
situational awareness * - see item 10) - something we will add to next years safety seminar !

4) Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

Update from Bait 'N' Switch:
Currently in Marina Papagayo, Costa Rica. The Papagayos are blowing! This update is about Puerto Quetzal, however.
Arrived Marina Pez Vela, Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala on Feb 11 at sunset. Radioed Capitan del Puerto on VHF 16 re arrival and they replied something about checkin on boat that evening. Soon after, an older guy named Miguel Oscar came with some papers to fill out. Turns out he was an agent--not an official. He then asked for $440 which he said included $300 for official visit, $90 for 3 passports and $50 for his services. He asked for the funds in cash, payable right away and proceeded to say it would help with the costs for his wife who had cancer and the therapy was expensive. (!?) We paid but made him sign something that he had received the funds and what they were for. We also asked what other costs there would be and he said only $20 for exit zarpe when we left. He went away with our passports and returned about 2 hours later with the Port Captain, immigration officer and customs officer and our 3 passports. All was fine.
We checked in with the marina the next day (Ivan Marroquin, cell +502-4873-7348) at a rate of $2/foot.  There were no services on shore (no wifi, no women's bathroom or shower) although there is water and power on the dock. We were the only transient boat amongst lots of charter sportfishing boats.
Upon checkout with the marina, Ivan (a helpful guy who also oversees the cruise terminal) called the agent who came by asked for the $20 plus $90 for 3 passports. We were very angry about the $90 and called Ivan to intercede and he did help. After a lot of back and forth, we paid the $20 and Miguel Oscar left with our 3 passports. He returned about 1.5 hours later with our passports and asked for $45 instead of $90. We asked for receipts for evertything but he said they were all back at the office. We reluctantly paid and learned a lesson--when using agent, get in writing in advance what it will cost to check in and out and demand receipts for everything. We also heard from an American guy who runs a sportfishing operation there that we don't have to use an agent. I'm not sure how to do it yourself, but I assume you'd need a cab to go to the various offices which are probably near the commercial harbor.
The good: A friend arranged a driver for us to Antigua (1.5 hours). They also have Uber in Guatemala which would have been cheaper.  Antigua is a beautiful Spanish colonial town with cobblestone streets surrounded by 3 volcanoes and well worth the visit. Lake Atitlan is also supposed to be very beautiful. Also, for those who love to fish, this is supposedly the sailfish capital of the world (thus the name "Pez Vela").
The bad: The expensive checkin process. Also, we were assigned an end tie on the floating dock and the surge is very strong. Overnight we popped one ball fender and lost another due to the intense surge.  The surge is manageable if you tie the boat using long lines and lots of fenders.  Being assigned a slip/mooring dock (tie off to pilings)  would have made the surge much more manageable. There is a lot of coal dust when it's windy as there are huge piles of coal at the marina destined for the power plants. (See coal piles behind marina in photo.) Still, we loved touring around Antigua area!
Laurie & John

Bait 'N' Switch III

5) Picture of the Week - Fuel dock at Marina Puerto de la Navidad, MX
500 year old fuel for their twin 350hp diesel engines first spotted in Chiapas a few weeks back.

This 200t spanish flagged replica of the Santa Maria is in the Costalegre area filming
an Amazon miniseries about the legendary Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés developed by Steven Spielberg.
and tapped Oscar-winning actor Javier Bardem to play the titular conquistador.

Created and written by Steven Zaillian (Schindler’s List), the Cortes miniseries will follow Hernán Cortes as he leads a “rebellious expedition” to King Montezuma II’s Aztec empire. Cortes was famous for bringing about the fall of the Aztec Empire and leading the first phase of the colonization of the Americas by Spanish conquistadors.

The epicenter of the filming with lot's of local extras and help from the Panama Posse HQ marina is the backdrop around the Punta Perula / Chamela / Playa Pariso area.

http://www.goodnautical.com/gma/mexico-pacific?field_gma_value=MX-PAC
Here is the Good Nautical Anchorages map of the area.

Suzanne( took the picture) & Dietmar

CARINTHIA

6) Punta Guiones, Costa Rica

Pilot whales playing off the bow in Punta Guiones, Costa Rica !

Still waiting for your ...

Paul & Hazel

(headshots)

SUSIMI

7) Vista Mar Marina Rates, Panama

2020  Rates at Vista Mar Marina. I checked with Cesar to get the accurate information.
The rates below are the US dollar STANDARD rates as of Jan 2020.

Panama Posse 2020 gets a 25% discount off of those rates for a total length of stay of 3 months (90 days), starting the count of days when they arrive. 
Your payment must be calculated and paid on your arrival. So if you pay for a week, but stay for a month you do not get the monthly rate.
Since I've been here for 14 months, Cesar might have cut me a deal. But he mentioned that the 90 days do not have to be consecutive.

The first number is the Monohull rate second number is Multihull rate.
These numbers are per foot with a minimum of 35 feet.

Up to 60 feet
0- 7 nights 0.75, 1.00
8 - 14 nights 0.70, 0.90
15 - 29 nights 0.65 0.80
Monthly (30 days) 0.55, 0.70
90 days and over0.50, 0.65

61 to 80 ft
0 - 7 nights 0.90, 1.15
8 - 14 nights 0.85, 1.10
15 - 29 nights 0.80, 1.00
Monthly rate (30 days) 0.75, 0.75
90 days and over 0.55, 0.70

81 to 100 ft is very similar, except and 0.05 to 0.10 on multi-hull only

My monthly electric is $20 just for the hook up. My usage was quite small.

I don't have numbers for usage or numbers for shorter terms than a month.

Water in Panama is potable

Now for some bad news.
The resort pool is owned and run by different people than the Marina. 
They want $75/person for one month access.
$25/person for one day.
Walt & JearieneKNOT RIGHT

8) Passing Ships at night, Papagayo Winds

Saltair3 passing SV Blessed Life off the coast of Nicaragua 20 nm north of SJDS in the heart of the papagayos with 11 knots of wind on a beam reach. Yes!  Hello Blessed Life. Perfect Wx window for this!
4 Posse boats at 11:00pm crossing through the non existent Papagayo winds (currently 8 knots of wind) all boats within 4 miles of each other and 25 nm north of SJDS. 3 heading north and one heading south.
SV Trance, SV Ankyrios
SV Saltair3 and SV Blessed Life. Pretty cool! Lots of fishermen out here too. Be aware and take care.

Brad, Cole & Krista

SALTAIR III

9) Boca Chica, PANAMA

Interim Port of Entry report at Boca Chica.  I’ll write a full report for GoodNautical when I have a little more information after we receive the cruising permit.

Carlos is the go-to guy here in Boca Chica.  He has a dock, boat ramp, and a few moorings.  He can also coordinate the officials from Pedregal.  Carlos is a get things done kind of guy and as ethical as the day is long!  His cell/whatsapp # is
+507 6600-6191

Our rowing dinghy can’t handle the current through the channel, so Carlos picked us up just before 8am and brought us to his place where the officials were waiting.

There were four officials.  Port Captain (Moises), Health inspector, Customs, and Immigration.

The fees totaled $167 because it was a festival holiday.  Non-holiday would be about $30 less.
The cruising permit is $185 and is delayed a bit because of the holiday.  We’ll get it by Thursday.

Diesel Fuel
We were charged $1.00 a litre for diesel, about $4.00 a gallon.
Street price on diesel in Panama seems to be about $3.75 or so, so that’s not a bad markup.
Pick up and Delivery of our jerry cans was an extra fee ($20.00 in our case).

Bob & Carol SINGULARITY

10) Rounding of Punta Mala, PANAMA

Green flash and Avant rounding Punta Mala with 12 knots of wind from the north east!  What a beautiful thing!

11) About heading across the Pacific ...

The South Pacific Sailing Network is inviting all sailors heading to the Pacific Islands for a free informative
seminar about Tahiti Tonga Fiji and New Zealand at Shelter Bay Marina on March 1st 10 am to 2 pm.
Drinks will be offered

south-pacific-sailing.com

12) San Blas, Panama

Dan &  Angela
ANGELIQUE

*13) Situational awareness levels - (now you know):

For optimal situational awareness stay in Condition Yellow

Could not find a better graphic with a mariner /
sailor but maybe we'll get some at the Party @ Vista Mar on May 30th ;-)

In a dynamic situation, situational awareness is embedded in a loop where the environment affects SA
and decisions made under a particular level of SA affect the environment

• Learn to Predict Events
• Identify Elements Around You
• Trust Your Feelings
• Limit Situational Overload
• Avoid Complacency
• Be Aware of Time
• Begin to Evaluate and Understand Situations
• Actively Prevent Fatigue

For more on this topic please head to
https://www.artofmanliness.com/articles/managing-stress-arousal-for-optimal-performance-a-guide-to-the-warrior-color-code/

14) Zihuatanejo, MX

Cruisers - Welcome to Zihuatanejo      

Here are a few facts to help you out.

Report into the Port Captain to register

Information: listen to the morning Cruiser Net on VHF 22A at 8:30 every morning

Anchoring Protocol for Sailfest boats:

. …during Sailfest please mark your GPS anchor location and use just that spot. This allows Sunset Cruise boats to easily return to their spot at dusk plus allows the Panga guys to get familiar with where to find the boat. The anchorage will get crowded and it helps immensely if everyone stays in the same place.
Dinghy parking and Valet Service:

 on the beach to the right of the pier and before the fishing boats. Alfonso, Jesús, Mateo and whoever else greets the dinghies and watches them 24/7.....a great service. A minimum payment of 20 pesos in and 20 pesos out is suggested.
Concierge Service:

...Ismael and Hilda located beside the Tourist Welcome building. They can be called on VHF 65 and will deliver fuel, water, ice, beer, propane plus local knowledge like who to call for outboard repairs, diesel engine service, parts etc. Tel: 755 108-9161

Ismael and Hilda are our Amazon Mexico drop-off location.Full address is: Paseo de Pescador, No 1-B, Muelle, Col Centro, Zihuatanejo, Guererro 40880

Panga & Water Taxi:

 Coordinator- Jorge- looks after all the guest boarding for the on-the-water Sailfest events as well as providing taxi service from the pier to your boat. Jorge speaks English and can be called at: 755-111-0194. His boat is called 'Rumbo Sur'

Showers. Are available across from Ismael and Hilda's booth at the shore end of the pier…clean and well managed. Cost is: 15 pesos

Laundromat- self-service - located on Vicente Guerrero between Nicolas Bravo and Ejido St. (beside the Banamex)

There are several other laundry services available on La Boquita, which runs along the canal.

Banks:

– most banks Scotiabank, Bancomer, Banamex, Santander are all located on Benito Juarez. There is an Intercam on Morelos

Taxis – generally 35 pesos for the downtown central area, but may increase to 40 pesos to Mega, Sam’s, bus station

- 55 pesos to La Ropa, at night more for return

- 35 pesos Madera, 40 Madera uphill

- 85 pesos Ixtapa Playa Palmar

- 95 pesos Ixtapa Marina

Buses - generally 10 pesos to La Ropa, 9round town

- 14 to Ixtapa

Hospital/Doctors (just to mention a couple)

- Hospital de especialidades 544-7628

- Hospital Clinica Maciel 554-22380

Groceries –

- Merza on Ejido St, good for your basic staples

- Mercado main fruit and vegetable market on Benito Juarez

- Mega Soriana is walkable, by taking the footpath all along the canal.

- Bodega is on the main highway

- Sam’s Club is on the main highway

Liquor

- La Cava on the corner of Nicolas Bravo & Vicente Guerrero

- Andy’s on the opposite corner

- Merza has a selection of spirits

- Mega Soriana

Gas & Diesel

- closest Pemex is on Morales, which is at the top of Cinco de Mayo and to the left. Can be accessed by dinghy a short walk from the head of the Lagoon

Parts and repair supplies:

AutoZone store is on the main highway.

Small Marine Store on the main highway who can order from catalogs

Boat bottom cleaning Memo. 555 127 7446

Restaurants – too many to mention

Music – (a partial list...)

Rock & Roll
- Steve & Friends Thurs, Fri, Sat at Rossi’s on La Ropa

- Jimi Mamou at Daniel's Restaurant Wednesday and Friday

Mexican

- Juanito Zihua at Coconuts on Friday, Santa Prisca on Thursday afternoon (great pozole)

- Jose Luis Cobo plus Musicas en Fuga at El Canto de las Sirenas a special Monday night event from 6:00pm to 10:00

- Zihuana Band – Salsa at Restaurant El Pirata on La Ropa, every Sunday at 3

- Solo Tres – El Pirata Restauranton Playa La Ropa every  Wed at 3. Great harmonies from 3 of the best Zihua guitarists

Blues - Don Scott and Rosanne Licciardi at ------?  Restaurant, ------ night, and other venues around town

Website: Porlosninos Zihuatanejo

Facebook: Zihuatanejo-Sailfest

Groups - Zihuatanejo Let’s Chat

Thisldu Arrived this morning to Roqueta Island out side of Acapulco. Very protected but deep until pretty close to shore. Would be fantastic anchoring in 20 feet on sand but it’s stocked full of “mooring balls”. We dropped anchor and found good holding but was afraid of snagging a mooring line around our prop. Slept a few hours and woke up to a busy tourist spot with glass bottom boats filled to the brim with people, and a few boats pulling tubes wizzing by way to close. We were finally able to get ahold of Club De Yates harbor master Mary (her English is better than my Spanish but communicating over the phone was challenging. Note we did send an email yesterday but it bounced. Any way sh directed us to the fuel dock and then to the office for paperwork. For such a large facility and an important job, they have Mary in a tiny hard to find office just before the boat yard. The marina is mostly Mediterranean ties which we’ve never done before and dreaded with our full keel won’t steer in reverse beast, but were luck enough to get a side tie! The good news. The facilities are beautiful and we are paying $1.75/ft/ night which I think is reasonable, but we got our first night free from our Sausalito Yacht Club membership! I think reciprocity May very by club, but anything is better than nothing! Lastly Navionics charts aren’t even close so Ill try to add my track.

Thisldu Planning on heading south on Saturday after this TPecker chills out and MAYBE catch it’s up coming forecasted lull. (Yes I know it’s too early to plan on that but here’s to hoping!)

Garrett & Audrey

THISLDU

15) Notice to Mariners: Marina Ixtapa, Channel Closing

For anyone intending to come into Marina Ixtapa for fuel or Moorage be aware.

The marina entrance channel will be totally closed- 24/7 - for dredging from March 2nd thru March 5th.
eopening the morning of March 6th.

Dough & Mary

ONE LIFE

16) Sailing into Playas Del Coco, Costa Rica

Yeaaaa to Costa Rica. Thank you all Panama Posse for the ongoing intel to get here

Chatter in LINE.me
Hi Greg- SV Blessed  Life watching right with you! That is directly in front of you -
Greg on SV Anduril is watching it gust to 45 knots in Playa Del Coco. 
Imagine what’s its doing in San Juan del sur, they are Really bad there!
Chimera also here in playa Cocos  the southern part of the bay .
Day 2 of this wind, stronger today than yesterday.
Looks like Monday till we see any improvement.
@SV Blessed Life we saw you coming in to Playa Coco with your spinnaker. You looked great!

Bob & Margie

BLESSED LIFE

17) Early Warning of new exit Requirements from Mexico in Chiapas

Ok- here's a new one. Apparently the port Capt in Chiapas now wants some type of a piece of paper that shows you are "qualified " to be the captain of your boat in order to leave Mexico, not needed on checking in. Two examples of what were accepted today 1) for someone else also checking out- membership in BoatUS or 2) for us, a certificate of achievement from 2012 for ASA 101! Not sure I would accept that from anyone as proof of any kind of competency, but it seemed to work here! None of this has been asked of us either checking in or any other port in Mexico, only as we go out the door!

(Note from ANGELIQUE: a USA state boating license works too. You can get Oregon’s on line for cheap )

Bob & Sarah RHAPSODY

18) Panama Canal, Successful Passage

Following a freighter into Pedro Miguel lock at dawn a few weeks ago.

Center chamber all the way through, total transit 13 hours.

Barry & Kathy

BLUE OASIS

(note: CONGRATULATIONS )

19) Boca Chica, Panama

Carlos, son Simone and Rich aboard Stand Down.

Pedregal, Panama. Sarana waypoints are right on.
We left Boca Chica at lowtide in 14ft/60hp skiff .

Pedregal is very industrial. Marina is steel and disappointing.

Richard & Nancy
(no picture)

STAND DOWN

20) PANAMA CANAL, PANAMA

John
(no picture)CONTEXT

21) SATELLITE .mbtiles which work deliciously with OpenCPN 5.0+

Thanks to the incredible work by Rob from Avant we now have 50+Gig of mbtile satellite charts for the entire coastal route available -

Download the whole chart enchilada from http://route.panamaposse.com/charts/mbtiles_central_america/

If you are lucky to see Rob or Debra - buy 'em a beer / ice cream sundae - they deserve it having spend weeks compiling this info  !

SV AVANT

Rob & Debra

22) Please reply to this email with any updates - your vessel location -
contenders for picture of the week - your favorite song for our list -
and we'll include it in the next Fleet Update

The Panama Posse transfer of knowledge and learning process operates under the gestalt theory
We will not tell you what to do, when or how - we want you to to figure that out. YOUR VESSEL YOUR CREW YOUR RESPONSIBILITY

Dietmar & Suzanne

CARINTHIA

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