	🇲🇽 MEXICO	🇺🇸 USA
Age of criminal responsibility	6	6
Age of criminal responsibility	Ranked 57th. The same as United States	Ranked 58th.
Crime levels	57.18	55.84
Crime levels	Ranked 28th. 2% more than United States	Ranked 30th.
Drugs > Annual cannabis use	1.20%	13.70%
Drugs > Annual cannabis use	Ranked 1st.	Ranked 1st. 11 times more than Mexico
Drugs > Opiates use	0.10%	0.57%
Drugs > Opiates use	Ranked 9th.	Ranked 3rd. 6 times more than Mexico
Murder rate	15	5

Murders with firearms per million	24.42	32.57
Murders with firearms per million	Ranked 12th.	Ranked 10th. 33% more than Mexico
Rape rate	13.2	27.3
Rape rate	Ranked 18th.	Ranked 9th. 2 times more than Mexico

Total crimes	1.52 million	11.88 million
Total crimes	Ranked 12th.	Ranked 1st. 8 times more than Mexico
Total crimes per 1000	14.21	41.29
Total crimes per 1000	Ranked 46th.	Ranked 22nd. 3 times more than Mexico
Violent crime > Gun crime > Guns per 100 residents	15	88.8
Violent crime > Gun crime > Guns per 100 residents	Ranked 40th.	Ranked 1st. 6 times more than Mexico
Violent crime > Intentional homicide rate	15	4.7
Violent crime > Intentional homicide rate	Ranked 1st. 3 times more than United States	Ranked 7th.

Violent crime > Murder rate	25,757	12,996
Violent crime > Murder rate	Ranked 2nd. 98% more than United States	Ranked 9th.

Violent crime > Murder rate per million people	218.49	42.01
Violent crime > Murder rate per million people	Ranked 17th. 5 times more than United States	Ranked 43th.

Violent crime > Rapes	14,993	84,767
Violent crime > Rapes	Ranked 4th.	Ranked 1st. 6 times more than Mexico

Violent crime > Rapes per million people	127.18	274.04
Violent crime > Rapes per million people	Ranked 18th.	Ranked 9th. 2 times more than Mexico

Violent crime > Murders per million people	218.49	42.01
Violent crime > Murders per million people	Ranked 17th. 5 times more than United States	Ranked 43th.

Violent crime > Murders	25,757	12,996
Violent crime > Murders	Ranked 2nd. 98% more than United States	Ranked 9th.

Burglaries	20.6	714.4
Burglaries	Ranked 46th.	Ranked 9th. 35 times more than Mexico
Robberies	504.7	146.4
Robberies	Ranked 4th. 3 times more than United States	Ranked 10th.
Believes crime increasing in the past 3 years	70.68	65.22
Believes crime increasing in the past 3 years	Ranked 31st. 8% more than United States	Ranked 44th.
Fear of crime > Violent hate crime	17.26	32.55
Fear of crime > Violent hate crime	Ranked 78th.	Ranked 31st. 89% more than Mexico
Fear of crime > Feels safe walking alone > At night	38.67	41.84
Fear of crime > Feels safe walking alone > At night	Ranked 66th.	Ranked 60th. 8% more than Mexico
Murders > Per 100,000 people	11.3	5.9
Murders > Per 100,000 people	Ranked 43th. 92% more than United States	Ranked 63th.
Murders with firearms	2,606	9,369
Murders with firearms	Ranked 6th.	Ranked 4th. 4 times more than Mexico
International Court of Justice > Current composition > Term End	2015	2015
Prisoners	172,888 prisoners	2.02 million prisoners
Prisoners	Ranked 9th.	Ranked 1st. 12 times more than Mexico
Assaults	223.5	786.7
Assaults	Ranked 20th.	Ranked 1st. 4 times more than Mexico
Punishment > Maximum length of sentence	60 years (70 years if convicted of murder involving kidnapping)	None
Auto theft	136.8	390.2
Auto theft	Ranked 22nd.	Ranked 6th. 3 times more than Mexico
Perceived problems > Problem violent crimes including assault and armed robbery	54.87	75.54
	Ranked 28th.	Ranked 10th. 38% more than Mexico
Murders > WHO	10.9	5.6
Murders > WHO	Ranked 60th. 95% more than United States	Ranked 88th.
Fear of crime > Feels safe walking alone > During the day	69.4	75.24
Fear of crime > Feels safe walking alone > During the day	Ranked 68th.	Ranked 57th. 8% more than Mexico

Drugs > Lifetime cannabis use	7.80%	51.60%
Drugs > Lifetime cannabis use	Ranked 2nd.	Ranked 1st. 7 times more than Mexico
Prisoners > Per capita	169 per 100,000 people	715 per 100,000 people
Prisoners > Per capita	Ranked 50th.	Ranked 1st. 4 times more than Mexico
Punishment > Crimes possibly attracting life sentence	No life imprisonment sentence	Varies by state
Fear of crime > Worries about being attacked	43.55	42.08
Fear of crime > Worries about being attacked	Ranked 37th. 3% more than United States	Ranked 43th.
Software piracy rate	61%	20%
Software piracy rate	Ranked 53th. 3 times more than United States	Ranked 106th.
Perceived problems > Property crimes including vandalism and theft	60.19	57.93
	Ranked 23th. 4% more than United States	Ranked 28th.
Drug offences	23,588 per 100,000 people	560.1 per 100,000 people
Drug offences	Ranked 12th. 42 times more than United States	Ranked 41st.
Perceived problems > Illegal drugs	54.1	61.82
Perceived problems > Illegal drugs	Ranked 28th.	Ranked 19th. 14% more than Mexico
Perceived problems > Problem corruption and bribery	78.32	42.45
Perceived problems > Problem corruption and bribery	Ranked 34th. 84% more than United States	Ranked 69th.
Punishment > Minimum life sentence to serve before eligibility for requesting parole	Varies, depending on sentence	15 years minimum to infinite, or never (depending on crime and state)
Fear of crime > Worries about being insulted	31.18	44.84
Fear of crime > Worries about being insulted	Ranked 67th.	Ranked 33th. 44% more than Mexico
Fear of crime > Worries about being mugged or robbed	52.89	45.01
Fear of crime > Worries about being mugged or robbed	Ranked 32nd. 18% more than United States	Ranked 47th.
Illicit drugs	major drug-producing nation; cultivation of opium poppy in 2007 rose to 6,900 hectares yielding a potential production of 18 metric tons of pure heroin, or 50 metric tons of “black tar” heroin, the dominant form of Mexican heroin in the western United States; marijuana cultivation increased to 8,900 hectares in 2007 and yielded a potential production of 15,800 metric tons; government conducts the largest independent illicit-crop eradication program in the world; continues as the primary transshipment country for US-bound cocaine from South America, with an estimated 90% of annual cocaine movements toward the US stopping in Mexico; major drug syndicates control the majority of drug trafficking throughout the country; producer and distributor of ecstasy; significant money-laundering center; major supplier of heroin and largest foreign supplier of marijuana and methamphetamine to the US market	world’s largest consumer of cocaine (shipped from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean), Colombian heroin, and Mexican heroin and marijuana; major consumer of ecstasy and Mexican methamphetamine; minor consumer of high-quality Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering center
Frauds	61,970	371,800
Frauds	Ranked 9th.	Ranked 2nd. 6 times more than Mexico
Gun ownership > Guns per 100 residents > 2007	15	88.8
Gun ownership > Guns per 100 residents > 2007	Ranked 19th.	Ranked 1st. 6 times more than Mexico
Serious assaults	160.4	281.6
Serious assaults	Ranked 3rd.	Ranked 1st. 76% more than Mexico
Prisoners per 1000	1.62 prisoners	7.02 prisoners
Prisoners per 1000	Ranked 53th.	Ranked 2nd. 4 times more than Mexico
Murders committed by youths	5,991	8,226
Murders committed by youths	Ranked 5th.	Ranked 3rd. 37% more than Mexico
Punishment > Crimes requiring mandatory sentence	No life imprisonment sentence	Varies by state
Judges	0.80%	10.80%
Judges	Ranked 13th.	Ranked 3rd. 14 times more than Mexico
Fear of crime > Worries about home break and enter	51.46	48.52
Fear of crime > Worries about home break and enter	Ranked 33th. 6% more than United States	Ranked 39th.
Drugs > HIV testing amongst drug users	35.38%	46.80%
Drugs > HIV testing amongst drug users	Ranked 31st.	Ranked 12th. 32% more than Mexico

Prisoners > Female	4.40%	8.50%
Prisoners > Female	Ranked 59th.	Ranked 9th. 93% more than Mexico
Punishment > Life sentence under the age of 18 or 21	??	Yes ( de jure )
Punishment > Has life imprisonment	No (exception of Chihuahua)	Yes
Car thefts	141,007	1.25 million
Car thefts	Ranked 6th.	Ranked 1st. 9 times more than Mexico
Car thefts per 1000	1.32	4.33
Car thefts per 1000	Ranked 27th.	Ranked 11th. 3 times more than Mexico
Murders committed by youths per million	58.55	29.48
Murders committed by youths per million	Ranked 8th. 99% more than United States	Ranked 16th.
Fear of crime > Worries about things from car being stolen	61.23	59.02
Fear of crime > Worries about things from car being stolen	Ranked 30th. 4% more than United States	Ranked 33th.
Punishment > Has indefinite sentence	No	Yes
Adults prosecuted	37,615	14.2 million
Adults prosecuted	Ranked 27th.	Ranked 1st. 378 times more than Mexico
Prosecutors	2.70%	8.80%
Prosecutors	Ranked 36th.	Ranked 1st. 3 times more than Mexico

Fear of crime > Worries about car being stolen	50.4	42.04
Fear of crime > Worries about car being stolen	Ranked 31st. 20% more than United States	Ranked 45th.
Jails	448	1,558
Jails	Ranked 10th.	Ranked 6th. 3 times more than Mexico
Murders committed by youths per capita	15.3	11
Murders committed by youths per capita	Ranked 9th. 39% more than United States	Ranked 14th.
Adults prosecuted per 1000	0.352	49.38
Adults prosecuted per 1000	Ranked 42nd.	Ranked 2nd. 140 times more than Mexico
Prisoners > Foreign prisoners	0.90%	0.50%
Prisoners > Foreign prisoners	Ranked 70th. 80% more than United States	Ranked 77th.
Prisoners > Share of prison capacity filled	123.60%	0
Prisoners > Share of prison capacity filled	Ranked 56th.	Ranked 126th.
Frauds per 1000	0.581	1.29
Frauds per 1000	Ranked 34th.	Ranked 24th. 2 times more than Mexico
Jails per million	4.2	5.42
Jails per million	Ranked 37th.	Ranked 24th. 29% more than Mexico
Prisoners > Pre-trial detainees	4.60%	20%
Prisoners > Pre-trial detainees	Ranked 135th.	Ranked 106th. 4 times more than Mexico

SOURCE >>

https://www.nationmaster.com/country-info/compare/Mexico/United-States/Crime/table

by panamaposse

CREW AGREEMENT

OWNER/CO-OWNER/MANAGING OWNER/CAPTAIN’S
&
SEAFARER/CREW MEMBER/ORDINARY SEAMAN’S
AGREEMENT
This AGREEMENT, dated is between:
Owner:
Managing Owner:
Captain:
Owner/Managing Owner/Captain’s Place of Birth (City & Country):
Owner/Managing Owner/Captain’s Date of Birth:
Owner/Managing Owner/Captain’s Full Physical Address:
Owner/Managing Owner/Captain’s Country of Origin:
Owner/Managing Owner/Captain’s Passport Number:
Owner/Managing Owner/Captain’s Passport Expiration Date:
By signing below the Owner/Managing Owner/Captain acknowledges that the above information
is true and correct.
Owner/Managing Owner/Captain’s Signature: Date:
Co-Owner:
Co-Owner’s Place of Birth (City & Country):
Co-Owner’s Date of Birth:
Co-Owner’s Full Physical Address:
Co-Owner’s Country of Origin:
Co-Owner’s Passport Number:
Co-Owner’s Passport Expiration Date:
By signing below the Co-Owner acknowledges that the above information is true and correct.
Co-Owner Signature: Date:
1

AND
Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman’s Printed Name:
Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman’s Place of Birth (City & Country):
Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman’s Date of Birth:
Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman’s Country of Origin:
Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman’s Passport Number:
Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman’s Passport Expiration Date::
By signing below the above listed Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman acknowledges that
the above information is true and correct.
Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman’s signature:
Date:
CAPACITY in which Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman is to be utilized:
The capacity in which you are utilized is as an Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman (The
lowest ranking personnel in the deck department. An Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman
generally helps out with work that Able Bodied Seamen (ABS) performs as directed by the
Owner/Managing Owner/Captain.
On this vessel VESSEL NAME a Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman works under the
direction of the Owner/Managing Owner/Captain, completing tasks such as working mooring
lines, operating deck gear, standing anchor details, working cargo, maintenance and repairs. A
Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman also stands a navigational watch, generally as a
lookout or helmsman. Other tasks include but are not limited to; standing lookout, and generally
cleaning duties, as well as bottom cleaning and assisting in maintenance and repairs..
Schedule/Hours of work:
VESSEL NAME crossing the Ocean requires constant vigilance. The hours of work shall
be limited to a normal day time schedule as needed with the exception of Watches. Watches
shall be conducted on hours shifts around the clock. This schedule is subject to
modification as the situation dictates at the discretion of the Owner/Managing Owner/Captain.
2

Location of work/utilization:
Shall be aboard the below listed VESSEL NAME currently in the_________ Ocean.
Vessel Name:
Operational Endorsements:
Hailing Port:
Certificate of Documentation:
USCG Documentation Number:
Compensation/Wages:
The above listed Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman shall receive as compensation and
or wages the sum of ZERO US DOLLARS & 00/100 ($0.00) per hour, day, week, month or year.
No other currency is valid per this agreement unless mutually agreed upon.
Monetary Contribution towards living expenses:
The above listed Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman agrees to pay Owner/Managing
Owner/Captain the sum of US DOLLARS & 00/100 ($ ) CASH per day, seven days
per week for food and general vessel expenses.
Means of Monetary Contribution Payment:
The above listed Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman agrees to pay the Owner/Managing
Owner/Captain one month's payment in CASH in advance each and every month that the
Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman is aboard VESSEL NAME . In the event
that the Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman disembarks the vessel prior to using up the
full month's monetary contribution the Owner/Managing Owner/Captain shall reimburse the
Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman the per day amount remaining.
Duration of employment:
It is the intent of the Owner/Managing Owner/Captain to sail from the
to the
The Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman agrees to the term of this Agreement
commencing from the date of boarding VESSEL NAME until clearing customs in the
This term of this Agreement may be further extended at the discretion of the Owner/Managing
Owner/Captain. At such time a new Agreement shall be executed.
3

Repatriation:
The Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman shall NOT receive any compensation for
Repatriation upon termination of this Agreement or at any other time. Repatriation
compensation by the Owner/Managing Owner/Captain shall be in the amount of: ZERO US
DOLLARS & 00/100 ($0.00) No other currency is valid per this agreement.
The Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman agrees that repatriation is the sole responsibility
of the individual Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman and further agrees to the amount of:
ZERO US DOLLARS & 00/100 ($0.00) to be paid by the Owner/Managing Owner/Captain as
per the above paragraph.
The Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman acknowledges that the proof of sufficient funds
for the duration of their stay in upon entry is solely the responsibility of the
Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman. The Owner/Managing Owner/Captain shall not be
liable for these expenses.
The Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman shall carry a valid exit airline ticket to their
country of origin or a travel bond satisfactory to the Government of
The Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman acknowledges that this is solely the responsibility
of the Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman. The Owner/Managing Owner/Captain shall
not be liable for these expenses.
Additionally Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman acknowledges that upon exiting the S/V
that the Owner/Managing Owner/Captain shall not be liable for any
expenses on shore incurred by the Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman.
Medical/Health benefits:
The Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman shall NOT receive any compensation for
Medical/Health benefits during the duration of this Agreement. Medical/Health benefits
compensation by the Owner/Managing Owner/Captain shall be in the amount of: ZERO US
DOLLARS & 00/100 ($0.00) No other currency is valid per this agreement.
The Seafarer/Crew Member (OS) agrees that Medical/Health benefits are the sole responsibility
of the individual Seafarer/Crew Member (OS) and further agrees to the amount of: ZERO US
DOLLARS & 00/100 ($0.00) to be paid by the Owner/Managing Owner/Captain as per the
above paragraph.
4

Death benefits:
The Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman shall NOT receive any compensation for Death
benefits during the duration of this Agreement. Death benefits compensation by the
Owner/Managing Owner/Captain shall be in the amount of: ZERO US DOLLARS & 00/100
($0.00) No other currency is valid per this agreement.
The Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman agrees that Death benefits are the sole
responsibility of the individual Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman and further agrees to
the amount of: ZERO US DOLLARS & 00/100 ($0.00) to be paid by the Owner/Managing
Owner/Captain as per the above paragraph.
Indemnity and Hold Harmless clause:
The Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman shall save, defend, hold harmless and indemnify
the Owner/Co-Owner/Managing Owner/Captain from and against any and all losses, damages,
liabilities, claims, and costs of whatsoever kind and nature for injury to or death of any person
and for loss or damage to any property occurring in connection with or in any way incident to
Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman, its associate’s or agent’s performance or failure to
perform under the Agreement.
The Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman and the Owner/Co-Owner/Managing
Owner/Captain have read and understand the entirety of the above Agreement’s terms and
conditions. Signing below acknowledges this understanding and affirms this Agreement.
Owner/Managing Owner/Captain’s Signature:
Co-Owner’s Signature:
Seafarer/Crew Member/Ordinary Seaman’s Signature:
Place of execution of Agreement:
Date of execution of Agreement:
5

by panamaposse

longlines

LONGLINES, DRAGNETS, UNMARKED FISHING DEVICES

( MAP ) ( SUBSCRIBE ) ( ADD LOCATION )

SUBSCRIBE TO FLEET UPDATES

Environmental & Cruiser Risks of Microplastics and Long Lines

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.

Longline DangerS

Longlining practices lead to the creation of Ghost Nets as the plastics degrade in the water. These nets were at one time made from hemp and other naturals substance however in recent decades they are made from microplastics that do not degrade. Storms, strong current, accidents, and purposeful discarding of these net-like lines create an extremely damaging.

Risk to SailorS

When a surface long line which may extend as many as 3 miles perpendicular from the shore is attached, it poses immediate risk to any boat traveling. Longlines can easily become trapped in a propeller and immobilize a vessel.

Risks to Environment

When a long lines gets loose or is degraded to the point where it is discarded, it will begin a journey that leads to catastrophic risk to the environment. Since these lines have hooks made of metal and plastic that does not biodegrade they will create hazards that damage marine life. These drifting lines lost or abandoned at sea due to storms causing strong currents, accidental loss, or purposeful discard become ghost nets. Synthetic nets are resistant to rot or breakdown, therefore ghost nets fish indefinitely in the oceans. Marine animals are easily tangled in ghost nets as are the predators the dead animals attract. The float line on the net allows it to be pushed in the current which causes ecological damage to plant life and substrate habitats as the nets drag the sea floor.[14]In addition, oceanic microplastics pollution is largely caused by plastic-made fishing gear like drift nets, that are wearing down by use, lost or thrown away.[15][16]

A recent study reported that “Fibers caused by long-lining were found to be the most common plastic particle in the open water. These tiny particles have been found to travel as far as 10 000 kilometers in the Pacific Ocean and have reached even the most remote areas such as Galapagos Islands, polluting its pristine waters and rich wildlife.

It is estimated surface area of 1.6 million square kilometers, an area twice the size of Texas or three times the size of France.
This is called the Great Pacific Garbage Patch – it is known that 75% TO 86% OF these PLASTICS COMES FROM FISHING ACTIVITIES

Below YOU will find the panama posse live update of long line reporting along the pacific coast.

– HERE ARE THE 75 LOCATIONS WHERE THE FLEET HAS ENCOUNTERED THEM

REPORT YOUR FINDINGS BELOW >>

REPORT YOUR ENCOUNTERS AND FINDINGS

PICTURES OF LONGLINES

Screenshot 2023-04-24 at 08-25-48 Instagram

LONG LINE OBSERVATIONS
After un-charted rocks and lightning, the thing that sends shivers up my spine is the thought of long lines. We have seen many, hit 4 or 5 and had to dive on the prop 3 times to cut loose/unwrap them from the shaft. Unfortunately the marking standard for these nuisances seems to vary from country to country. What we learned in one country caused us to hit lines in another country. For instance in Mexico we would run parallel to the long precession of spaced flags and do an end run around the last. When we tried this maneuver in Costa Rica we consistently hit the lines because in that country, it turns out, many of the fisherman only mark the middle of the line with a black flag. There are no end markers. Through our encounters with the lines and with one with a fisherman whose long line we had to cut off the prop we think we have learned a few things about these obstacles that we believe is worth sharing. I am sure there are other variations and not all fisherman follow these unwritten standards but it is at least a documentation of what we have experienced.

Mexico Long Line Observation
The long lines in Mexico were anywhere from ½ mile long to 4 miles long but seemed to be pretty consistently marked in the below manner. We did not encounter any at night. We do not know if this was dumb luck or if they were pulled in before nightfall. Perhaps someone else has more insight.

Black Flags at various intervals up to several hundred yards apart. Last flag indicates end of line.
Intermediate floats: water bottles, milk juts, oil bottles, fishing floats etc. between flags.

Guatemala Long Line Observation
The long lines in were poorly marked and the black flags at each end not always easy to see. Any time we saw a floating plastic bottle ahead we approached with caution and a string of them indicated the presence of a line. Like Mexico, we did not encounter any at night. We averaged about 15 miles off-shore as we passed Guatemala.

Black Flag at both ends of line.

Intermediate floats: water bottles, milk juts, oil bottles, fishing floats etc. between flags. Spacing between floats was inconsistent with sometimes large spacings

Nicaragua Observations
We did not encounter any long lines off the coast of Nicaragua, however we encountered many fishing pangas both during the daytime and at night. They seemed to work in groups and I do not know what type of fishing equipment they were using. We passed well outside the mouth of the gulf of Fonseca , so perhaps there were longlines there; we do not know.

note: Here is a long-line marker off the coast of Nicaragua

Costa Rica Long Line Observation#1
The long lines were marked in the middle with a single black flag and typically extended 1 kilometer in each direction from the flag (according to a fisherman whose line we ran over and tangled in our prop.) and there may or may not be a panga on station at one end of the line. We encountered quite a few lines, particularly outside the mouth of the Gulf of Nicoya. We day-hopped between anchorages in CR so we do not know if they are out at night.

Black Flag at center of 2 km long line.
Floats: water bottles, milk juts, oil bottles, fishing floats etc. with perhaps 40 to 50 meters between floats. The last float will be about 1 km from the flag. Watch out for a string of floats cut off from the main flag by another passing boat.

Costa Rica Observation#2
This line is only a couple of hundred meters long and drifts parallel to the wind. It usually has a large black flag and small black flag on a float on the downwind side and a small float on the upwind side. Usually a panga is on station at some point along the line. We are not sure if this is a net or line. This was only encountered in bays and close to shore

Large black flag and small black flag a few meters away.
Floats: no observed intermediate floats; just the down-wind flag and an upwind float, mostly with a panga on station.

Costa Rica Observation#3
This line is only perhaps a hundred meters long and seems designed to drift perpendicular to the wind. It usually has a black or some other colored flag at each end and single float ½-way between. We do not know if this is a long-line or net. This was only encountered in bays and close to islands and shores.

Black Flag on each end of line Floats: One intermediate float between flags.

HOW TO DEAL WITH LONG LINES

if you are sailing and not using engines – simply check your boat speed and look aft to see if a tell tale V comes to the surface – if you see a V and your vessel is slowing down attach a sharp kitchen knife to your boat hook (with 2 hose clamps ) and cut the line and continue on – on larger keels or bulb shaped keels it may be difficult to see if you are free so watching your boat speed is key here – if the line is wrapped around your keel you can carefully reverse or jump in and cut the line to free yourself.

If this happens at night all bets are off as your ability to see if you snagged the line is greatly diminished. A drastic decrease in boat speed is usually a good indication.
A waterproof flashlight can sometimes be lowered aft so you can try to see the line.
Proceed with caution – wake up the crew – and formulate and talk through the process of freeing your vessel.

if you are under power using engines – and you see the line in time – place your engines in neutral and coast over the long line ( if you have folding props fold them to reduce the chances of snagging the line )
simply check your boat speed and look aft to see if a tell tale V comes to the surface – if not you are free

alternatively PLACE THE ENGINE(S) INTO NEUTRAL IMMEDIATELY

– if you see a V and your vessel is slowing down attach a sharp kitchen knife to your boat hook (with 2 hose clamps ) and cut the line and continue on as soon as the v slips away – let the current wind drift you out of the location and continue on

– if the line has wrapped around your prop you are going to have to inspect the level of damage first – stop the engine and use a sharp knife to cut off the wrapped line –
with sail drives there is a possibility that the line has entered into the seal area and the line is keeping your oil from gushing out – if you are on a cat use the spare engine – watch your sail drive oil level like a hawk after the incident

– consider adding prop protecting line cutters in the future

by panamaposse

SSB -

VESSEL NAME	Names	#	LINE ID	SSB model	DSC	MMSI	MARINE	HAM	PODS
Air Bender	Mike & Colleen	124	AirBender Mike & Col	Icom M802	Yes	368013490	WDJ 8140	KO4BUK
Carinthia	Dietmar & Suzanne	9	Captain Dietmar	Icom M802	Yes	338077017	WDE3814	KF7RGT	Costa Rica - via PC to Caribbean
Emanuel IV	Hani & Oded	151	Emanuel IV Oded	Icom M802	Yes	368082490	WDK7239		Bahamas to Grenada
Knot Right	Walt & Jeariene	10	Knot Right, sv/Walt	Icom M802	Yes	368003150	WDJ7086	N6STM
Pasargada	Noj & Rach	158	Pasardaga Noj & Rach	Icom M802	Yes	367609660	WDH3666	KD7NOJ
Queso Grande II		70	Queso Grande II	Icom M801	Yes	368234760	WDM7518		Baja to Panama
Toketee	Dar	8	Toketee Crew	Icom M710	No	368106670	WDK9787		Santa Marta, Colombia
Zen Again	Mike & Nicki	210	Zen Again Mike & Nicki	Icom IC-7300	Rx only	503433900	VJN3567	VK6HSR	Rum Runners, Crab Pod

FCC License Search

by panamaposse

hospitals by country

HOSPITALS IN MEXICO >>

List of hospitals in Mexico - Wikipedia

There are 4,466 hospitals in Mexico.
67% of hospitals are private and the remaining 33% are public. The most important public hospital institutions are the Secretariat of Health (Secretaria de Salud), Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) and Institute for Social Security and Services for State…

HOSPITALS IN GUATEMALA >>

List of hospitals in Guatemala - Wikipedia

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

by panamaposse

offshore medical kit

First Aid Kit(s) for Cruising by Rob Murray

When we prepared Avant for offshore six years ago, we looked carefully at what we would pack for first aid preparedness. We could easily imagine a wide range of scenarios where one or the other of us, or another cruiser or local, was injured (grievously), and needed first aid in an inconvenient, remote location. You know, unconscious bleeding from a compound fracture surrounded by crocodiles while darkness falls in some mangrove swamp, or something like that. We determined that:

We needed to be able to react to a broad variety of potential medical emergencies quickly and comprehensively;
That we would likely be short handed in responding (so the response would have to be easily transported by one person);
That the emergency may happen aboard Avant, aboard another vessel, or ashore so we would need to be able to move the appropriate materials for response to the injured person, and then move the injured person from the site of the incident back to Avant or from the site of the incident to another place for treatment or evacuation;
That we would be at least hours, and might be days or even weeks from professional medical facilities and professional medical help (so we would need enough supplies to treat issues for a prolonged period with instructions on how to use them);
That there were ‘levels’ of response that would be appropriate, so segregating supplies into appropriate kits suited to different levels of response would make sense; and
We would need reference materials suited to the kind of ‘medicine’ we would be practicing.

Before you carry on reading, please note that we’re over prepared. Period!

First, we looked for organizations that had worked systematically to solve this set of problems so we could emulate their methods and techniques. The military immediately came to mind, as they have applied science and rigour to responding to emergency medical situations in rustic locations (although they admittedly seem to focus on gunshot wounds and extreme blunt force trauma as the primary sources of injury). We also read up on mountaineering and other wilderness response experiences, and found the ‘prepper’ community had many guidelines, tips and resources that seemed useful. The Ministry of Transport in the UK also had relevant resources. While many sources suggested that buying supplies separately would be cheaper than buying a kit, we found the reverse to be true, and that the kits we looked at offered value as well as convenience.

So after our obsessive research, we equipped ourselves with a simple ‘boo-boo kit’ for day to day stuff.

This is the type of kit you see in a larger drug store, Costco, Walmart, or some other big box store. You can buy them online at Canadian Safety Supplies. They are also available from the Red Cross, St Johns Ambulance or similar organizations online. It’s portable, so we don’t have to drip blood on the way to the bandaids; soft sided so it’s easy to store, and reasonably comprehensive for small injuries. It unzips and flops open to display the contents when in use. There is plenty of room in the carry bag to augment the contents.

Kit Supplies

Supplies in this type of kit are usually similar to a list like this:

FULL LIST >>

12 plastic bandages, 1.9 cm x 7.6 cm (0.75 in. x 3.0 in.)
10 junior plastic bandages, 1 cm x 3.8 cm (0.4 in. x 1.5 in.)
6 fabric bandages, 2.2 cm x 7.6 cm (0.9 in. x 3.0 in.)
2 large fabric bandages, 5.1 cm x 7.6 cm (2.0 in. x 3.0 in.)
3 knuckle fabric bandages, 3.8 cm x 7.6 cm (1.5 in. x 3.0 in.)
3 fingertip fabric bandages, 4.4 cm x 7.6 cm (1.7 in. x 3.0 in.)
5 butterfly skin closures, 1 cm x 4.4 cm (0.4 in. x 1.7 in.)
4 sterile gauze pads, 7.6 cm x 7.6 cm (3.0 in. x 3.0 in.)
2 sterile non-woven sponges, 7.6 cm x 7.6 cm (3.0 in. x 3.0 in.)
1 sterile abdominal pad 12.7 cm x 22.9 cm (5.0 in. x 9.0 in.)
2 sterile Telfa, non-adherent pads, 5.1 cm x 7.6 cm (2.0 in. x 3.0 in.)
1 roll conforming stretch bandage, 5.1 cm x 180 cm (2.0 in. x 70.8 in.)
1 roll conforming stretch bandage, 7.6 cm x 180 cm (3.0 in. x 70.8 in.)
1 compress bandage, 10.2 cm x 10.2 cm (4 in. x 4 in.)
1 Woundseal topical powder
1 non-compressed, triangular bandage, 101.6 cm x 101.6 cm x 142.2 cm (40 in. x 40 in. x 56 in.)
1 package of assorted safety pins
4 sterile cotton-tipped applicators, 7.6 cm (3.0 in.)
2 individually wrapped tongue depressors, 1.9 cm x 15.2 cm (0.7 in. x 6.0 in.)
1 roll clear plastic tape, 2.5 cm x 140 cm (1 in. x 55.1 in.)
1 roll elastic compression bandage, 7.6 cm x 170 cm (3.0 in. x 66.9 in.)
16 antiseptic towelettes
12 alcohol antiseptic swabs
3 Bacitracin antibiotic ointment, 1 g (0.04 oz.) each
2 Water-Jel, 3.5 g (0.12 oz.) each
1 eye dressing pad
1 large instant cold pack
3 After Bite treatment swabs
1 St. John’s Ambulance pocket guide, bilingual
1 paramedic scissors
1 pair of nickel-plated, blunt end splinter forceps
1 package of splinter out
2 Nitrile, medical examination gloves
1 CPR face shield with filtered valve
2 antimicrobial hand towelettes
6 hand cleansing moist towelettes
Hand sanitizer
1 infectious waste bag
2 thermometers
1 foil/Mylar emergency blanket, 142.2 cm x 203.2 cm (56 in. x 80 in.)
2 candles
Waterproof tipped matches
Purified drinking water, 125 ml (4.3 oz.)
2 plastic bandages, 1.9 cm x 7.6 cm (0.75 in. x 3.0 in.)
5 junior plastic bandages, 1 cm x 3.8 cm (0.4 in. x 1.5 in.)
2 fabric bandages, 2.2 cm x 7.6 cm (0.9 in. x 3.0 in.)
1 knuckle fabric bandage, 3.8 cm x 7.6 cm (1.5 in. x 3.0 in.)
1 fingertip fabric bandage, 4.4 cm x 5.1 cm (1.7 in. x 2.0 in.)
2 sterile gauze pads, 5.1 cm x 5.1 cm (2.0 in. x 2.0 in.)
2 antiseptic towelettes
2 alcohol antiseptic swabs
1 Bacitracin antibiotic ointment, 1 g (0.04 oz.)
2 After Bite treatment swabs
1 fist aid response card, bilingual
2 hand cleansing moist towelettes

We added to the kit with:

Some tincture of Benzoin for pre swabbing where you want Bandaids to stick (that stuff is magic),
A big box of assorted Bandaids,
Extra medical tape, various widths,
Quality tweezers for dealing with slivers,
Extra antiseptic wipes,
Extra gloves,
Extra antibiotic ointment,
Saline and syringes for wound washing,
Eyedroppers.

This is stored within easy reach in the head, and we hope to never exceed the treatment these supplies will support.

This represents our first tier response. Small cut, burn, sliver, blister, ‘boo-boo’, something like that; everything we need to deal with it can be grabbed and delivered, to the person with the ouch, quickly.

Then, for when things get over the top, a major SHTF (SHTF is an acronym for ‘excrement – mechanized ventilator collision’) kit, similar to what you can purchase online at Live Action Safety, based on a medical bag designed and apparently used in the military. If you google for ‘m17 first aid kit’ or ‘fa110 first aid kit’ you will find something similar. Different vendors supply kits with different contents, so do shop around.

It can be carried by a shoulder strap or backpack style, and opens in three folds exposing six zippered compartments that allow access to contents in use. There is plenty of room in the carry bag to augment the contents. It’s about 13.5” long by 10”wide and 16” tall stowed or folded up for transport, and unfolded to expose the interior compartments, the bag measures about 36” long by 10” wide.

The contents of these typically look like this:

FULL LIST >>

5 – Bleed Stop Bandages
4 – Sterile Pads, 4″x4″
2 – Triangular Bandage
2 – Ammonia Inhalants
2 – Suture Sets
2 – Stainless Steel hemostats
1 – Tweezers
10 – Abdominal Pads, 5″x9″
2 – Airways
10 – Butterfly Strips
5 – Tape, Rolls, Adhesive, 1″
1 – EMT Shears, 7.25″
5 – Multi Trauma Dressings
1 – EFA First Aid Book
14 – Pain Relievers/Aspirin
6 – Pairs Latex Examination Gloves
15 – Antiseptic BZK Wipes
2 – Burn Aid Packages
15 – Iodine Wipes
1 – Tourniquet (Basic Rubber Latex)
12 – Elastic bandage 2”
100 – Bandage Strips, 1”x3”
2 – Elastic Bandages, 6″
1 – Pen Light
1 – CPR Mask
1 – Hand Sanitizer 2 oz
4 – Triple Antibiotic Packages
1 – Scalpel Handle #3
2 – Scalpel Blades
2 – Eye Pads
6 – Safety Pins
1 – stethoscope
1 -Skin and Eye Wash
10 – Knuckle Bandages
3 – Instant Ice Packs
1 – Calamine Lotion, 6 oz.
2 – Tongue Depressors
6 – After Bite Wipes
1 – SAM Type Universal Splint
1 – Hand Soap
15 – Alcohol Wipes
10 – Sterile Pads, 2″x2″
1 – Skin Probe
1 – Burn Spray
1 – Lip Treatment
4 – First Aid Cream Packages
3 – Petroleum jelly
1 – Box of 100 Cotton Tips
15 – Clean Wipes
2 – Pill Bottles

We topped up/overfilled the kit with:

More gauze (lots more gauze),
More triangular bandages,
More safety pins (dollar store),
Extra medical tape, various widths,
More BZK and Alcohol wipes,
Package of ‘Wet-ones’ cleaning wipes (for cleaning around wounds),
Crazy glue (stitch substitute),
CAT tourniquet, similar to this one,
Several quick-clot stop bleeding bandages,
An extra SAM Splint,
A headlamp,
A flashlight,
Lots of extra gloves,
A couple of space blankets,
Duct tape (three or four 25’ lengths rolled on golf pencils),
Big orange garbage bags (ground cover/rain cover/blood catcher)
A few wound treatment/dressing change trays, similar to this one (mostly for convenience, these are most everything you need for immediate treatment or re-dressing of a more than ‘boo boo’ issue in a single sterile kit, super easy to grab and use),
A couple of surgical staplers, similar to this one,
A ‘surgery’ kit, similar to this one,
Saline solution for wound cleaning,
Hydrogen peroxide,
90% Isopropyl alcohol,
Syringes for wound cleaning,
Eyedroppers,
Eyewash bottle,
Cervical collar,
A selection of Catheters,
Some spray on ‘Bandage’ material,
Some ‘second skin’ for burns or blisters.
Finger splints,
Finger cots,
Other things we generally thought were a good idea while browsing in the first aid section.

All contents were repackaged as we saw appropriate in heavy duty Ziplock freezer bags. We made sure everything in the boo-boo kit was replicated in the SHTF list so we would not need to bring both.

We looked at the larger, upscale adventure medical kits and more current issue military kits (fa138 or fa140) for inspiration on what to add, although the price of these scared us off and there did not seem to be a huge difference in the actual supply of contents.

We also carry a couple of burn treatment kits like these ones you can get at Canadia Safety Supplies (two because they’re mostly consumables and the kits were cheaper than buying more of the contents). One in the SHTF kit, one in the head next to the boo-boo kit.

These contain burn specific treatments, usually a bill of materials something like this:

FULL LIST >>

1 Burn Dressing – 5.1 x 15.2 cm (2″ x 6″)
1 Burn Dressing – 10.1 x 10.1 cm (4″ x 4″)
1 Burn Gel Bottle 59gr (2 oz)
6 Burn Gel Packet 3.5ml (1/8 oz)
1 Conforming Stretch Gauze Bandage Roll – 10.1cm (4″)
1 Vinyl Medical Examination Gloves, Powder Free (Pair)
1 Paramedic Bandage Scissors 5.5″
1 Roll of first aid tape – 1.25cm x 4.5m (1/2″ x 5yd)
2 Cotton Tip Applicators, Sterile – 6″ [1]
1 Nylon bag with carry handle

After getting the appropriate (we hope) response materials to the injured person, the problem then becomes getting the injured person to the appropriate place (aboard, ashore, whatever).

To solve this problem, we got a SKEDCO stretcher. Basically a semi-flexible sheet of some kind of HDPE with straps that roll it over on the edges and foot to transform it into a surprisingly rigid stretcher that tightly controls and constrains the enclosed patient.

According to the Sked company, these are “equipped for horizontal hoisting by helicopter or vertical hoisting in caves or industrial confined spaces. When the patient is packaged, the stretcher becomes rigid. The durable plastic provides protection for the patient while allowing extrication through the most demanding confined spaces. The stretcher is rolled for storage in a tough cordura backpack, which is included with the system.” The design and materials allow it to be carried or dragged as terrain and personnel allow, and it stows in a very small space (about 30” long and 8” in diameter).

We packaged this with an Oregon Spine Splint (OSS). According to the company that makes it, the “OSS II provides for safe removal of patients from injury sites without doing further damage to the spine. The unique criss-crossing shoulder strap design provides superior immobilization without restricting breathing and, for clavical fractures, can be re-configured to retract and immobilize the shoulders. The OSS II is designed to provide easy access to the patient’s chest or abdominal area for treatment or diagnostic procedures. It can be used in place of a conventional short backboard and as a hip or leg splint.”

While these items cost a fortune new, they often show up as cheap army surplus on eBay. We got the Sked and OSS for less than ~$250 Canadian for the set on eBay. As an added bonus, the packaging was an attractive camouflage, and it was already dirty! The spine splint stores inside the stretcher. They are designed to be easy to transport when empty with a shoulder strap or backpack style and easy to carry or drag when loaded. We keep this stored under a berth.

We also considered modifying one or some of the under berth plywood supports to make traditional long boards and spine boards like those in the diagram, but decided to go the Sked route instead. (Pretty easy to do with a hole saw, jig saw, some epoxy and wood for the runners and time. Just add some straps and padding and you’re good to go. You can leave them wide as long as the holes for the straps are in the right places.)

So if we have to respond to an off-board emergency, everything is waterproof, floats, is man-portable and easy to transport. The Sked stretcher (with the Oregon Spine Splint inside) and SHTF kit carry bags also have six foot 1/2” three strand nylon lanyards and snaps spliced to them to augment their backpack style cases and shoulder straps for securing/transporting.

We don’t have a dedicated dental kit, but we do have OraGel topical painkiller, oil of cloves, 5 minute epoxy and crazy glue, so I think we can fake it. It’s stored in the head cabinet.

For medication, we have a list similar to what you see on the Safety and Seamanship Resources from the Cruising Club of America. We store it separately from the other stuff as it goes off after a few years and isn’t needed with the same urgency as, for example, a bandage or splint. I think you can always wait 30-60 min for antibiotics. We have found these types of antibiotic easily available over the counter and inexpensive in Mexico or other Central American countries. We don’t carry any serious pain killers, as opioids can cause trouble with customs. We’re strictly over the counter on pain medication.

While we have taken first aid courses over the years, they won’t have taught us everything we might need to know and we may have forgotten a few things over time, so we keep some reference materials at hand. We have e-copies of:

‘The Ship Captain’s Medical Guide’
‘Where there is no doctor’,
‘Where there is no dentist’, and
a paper copy of ‘Marine Medicine, A Comprehensive Guide’, by Eric A. Weiss, M.D. and Michael Jacobs, M.D.
Military first aid manuals are surprisingly comprehensive, googling for the “Special Operations Forces Medical Handbook” or the “Ranger Medic Handbook” or similar titles can get you some very useful manuals that have comprehensive suggested packing lists for remote areas.

These are more suited to longer term or more remote care, as most first aid or medical books are written with the idea that you will be tended to by professionals within 20-30 minutes of injury. These books assume you’re under the care of your shipmates for hours or even days, and don’t assume a lot (or any) medical training.

Other goods we have now learned to carry include anti fungal creams (don’t ask, yes you want this aboard), a couple of extra litres of hydrogen peroxide and a couple of extra litres of 90% isopropyl alcohol for cleaning (while discredited in current practice as too aggressive, these traditional disinfectants work and have their place), iodine for disinfecting, and cortisone cream for bites/rashes.

Annual maintenance is simply changing the batteries in the flashlights and headlamps, and making sure nothing has burst or leaked. (Editors note: if using a zippered bag to store your first aid kit, clean and lube the zippers at least once a year. Zippers tend to get crusty in the salty environment of your boat and the last thing you want is a first aid kit that won’t open when you need it). While most supplies have expiry dates, on things like gauze, we ignore them, and on medication we are perhaps a bit liberal. We think that the efficacy of medication may decline a bit past the due date, but it doesn’t stop working, so we let most medications stay aboard longer than the best before dates suggest.

Worst problem so far? Pinched finger needing a bandaid. Ouch!

by panamaposse

SATURDAY OCT 28 2024 @ 13:00 @ SAFE HARBOR SOUTH BAY EVENT CENTER ° SAN DIEGO

SAFE HARBOR SOUTH BAY
PANAMA POSSE KICK OFF PARTY ° SAN DIEGO ° CHULA VISTA °

SATURDAY OCTOBER 28th, 2023

'23 SEASON PICKS

| SAFE HARBOR SOUTH BAY |

'22 SEASON PICKS

event planning details >>

by panamaposse

DANGERS

THERE ARE A FEW DANGERS TO CONTEND WITH ALONG THE ROUTE

1) SCHEDULES KILL

picking up relatives, friends and crew who fly in to meet you will cause you to sail with added risks.
One of the best ways to reduce stress and ensure that friends and family will not cause you to loose your live and loose the vessel is to have them book the flight and meet you at your destination once you have arrived safely .
If they insist on a particular week we urge you to not fall into the commitment trap. Instead you can tell them the age old truth

I can tell you where I am and what day it is but I can not project where and when I will be in the future.
So if you want to join us you can, but with the caveat that you need to be flexible with time or locations.
EXAMPLE 1) if you want to meet me in a particular harbor book a hotel - IF we get there you can come on board.
EXAMPLE 2) if you have 1 week time between Christmas and New Years we will let you know on Dec 22 or 23rd where we are, so you can make travel reservations and meet us. Yes it's going to be an expensive flight, but will cost a lot less than us sailing into bad weather and loosing our boat to align with your schedule.
We sail without a schedule since we do not control the weather ( Airlines can fly around bad weather, cars can drive through it -but we can not ).
We will drop you off wherever we are on December 31st and so can fly back home.

2) CORRUPT COPS ( ON LAND )

Hold your ground and ask for the ticket - if they hold on to your drivers licens tell them it's fine you'll meet them at the police station and call the embassy immediately.

EXAMPLE 1) ( not guilty )
couple of cruisers has a car full of gear drives back to the Airport in Puerto Vallarta and a cops stops them. He asks the couple where they are heading. Couple replies - we are late for our flight back home. Cops says there is an issue and that you will miss the flight* and have to come to the station to pay a fine on Monday. The cop knows you will pay a bribe to make the flight to get out of it - one couple paid 1,000 USD because that's how much the cop saw in their wallet to make a 700 dollar flight. - *NEVER TELL A COP THAT YOU ARE LATE - DO YOU THINK THEY CARE ?

EXAMPLE 2) ( not guilty ) I was making a right turn to go to La Cruz. A cop pulls me over to tell me that I did not have my blinker on .
I said - dear cop ( name ) I always put on my blinker - that is what I always do.
Next the cop asked me for my drivers license and passport - I handed him both.
Next he asked where I was going - I said back to the Marina.
Next he asked what I was doing there - I said I'm a skipper of a boat.
Next he asked me how long I was going to be there - I said 3 or 4 months - and this is key I ASKED FOR THE TICKET - please give me the ticket and I will meet with you in court to dispute the charge . He scoffed and gave me back my credentials and moved on.

EXAMPLE 3) ( guilty ) I was speeding on Panama north of Coronado along the PanAmericana - a motorcycle cop with a radar gun stops me and said I was going too fast

I said yes 10 km over the limit I am sorry - ( in panama infractions are 350 US ) so he paused waiting for me to make an offer. Instead I asked him for my ticket.

And he was startled - he said it's 350 - I said fine that's the law please give me the ticket. He entered the ticket into the machine and issued a printed ticket to me.
BUT I NEVER GOT A BILL. After all how is he going to collect from a DMV ? If there is a hold on your license now you can dispute it in the US.

ALWAYS ASK FOR THE TICKET
DO NOT TRAIN THEM TO GET BRIBES FROM GRINGOS
( have a backup drivers license in your wallet - get one before you leave your home country - to get a duplicate DL inquire with the DMV )
Always ask for the name of the station - location of the station - telephone number of the station and name of the officer - have him write it on the ticket or a piece of paper.

If they take you into the station ask to call the embassy. Or call a Posse friend to raise hell for you. DO NOT PAY A BRIBE

3) LONG LINES

After un-charted rocks and lightning, the thing that sends shivers up my spine is the thought of long lines. We have seen many, hit 4 or 5 and had to dive on the prop 3 times to cut loose/unwrap them from the shaft. Unfortunately the marking standard for these nuisances seems to vary from country to country. What we learned in one country caused us to hit lines in another country. For instance in Mexico we would run parallel to the long precession of spaced flags and do an end run around the last. When we tried this maneuver in Costa Rica we consistently hit the lines because in that country, it turns out, many of the fisherman only mark the middle of the line with a black flag. There are no end markers.Through our encounters with the lines and with one with a fisherman whose long line we had to cut off the prop we think we have learned a few things about these obstacles that we believe is worth sharing. I am sure there are other variations and not all fisherman follow these unwritten standards but it is at least a documentation of what we have experienced. I have attached the various marking conventions we have seen on our trip south. We are only in Costa Rica now so I am sure we will have more learning to do in Panama !

Follow this link to see the longline incident map >>

PANAMA POSSE 22·23 SAIL BETWEEN THE PACIFIC, ATLANTIC AND CARIBBEAN AND ALL COUNTRIES IN BETWEEN VIA THE PANAMA CANAL - CENTRAL AMERICAN RALLY • PANAMA POSSE – Central American Rally

LONGLINES

Black Flags at various intervals up to several hundred yards apart. Last flag indicates end of line.
Intermediate floats: water bottles, milk juts, oil bottles, fishing floats etc. between flags.

Black Flag at both ends of line.

Intermediate floats: water bottles, milk juts, oil bottles, fishing floats etc. between flags. Spacing between floats was inconsistent with sometimes large spacings

note: Here is a long-line marker off the coast of Nicaragua

Large black flag and small black flag a few meters away.
Floats: no observed intermediate floats; just the down-wind flag and an upwind float, mostly with a panga on station.

Black Flag on each end of line Floats: One intermediate float between flags.

4) PIRATES

There are known pirate areas which are best avoided -
Generally, the routes of the Panama Posse are as safe as any waters in the world. Low risk does not mean no risk, however, and simple common-sense precautions should be taken no matter where you and your vessel find yourselves. While cruisers in previous Posses have lost outboards and other valuables to theft, but it has been exceedingly rare.

Northeast Coast of Nicaragua and Honduras

In the recent past, criminal elements have boarded, held at gunpoint and ransacked vessels passing through this region. The chart below is a composite of incidents between 2014 and 2020 for the area from the Caribbean Safety and Security Net (CSSN), linked here at https://safetyandsecuritynet.org/. Red pins represent attacks, and yellow pins represent attempted attacks.

Security and Safety Risks Associated with the Entire Coast of Venezuela

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

LAS PERLAS PANAMA

5) WEATHER - HIGH WIND ZONES
TEHUANTEPEC / PAPAGAYO WINDS / CARIBBEAN COAST COLOMBIA

6) CORRUPT IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS IN PANAMA

by panamaposse

pets

Ahoy Panama Posse

I finally compiled the list of requirements for traveling with your pet. Most of the information was found on the governmental websites then translated to English. I wasn’t able to translate the information for Honduras and I wasn’t able to find anything for Cuba. I plan on updating as we go, and will send a message on Line app as we travel. Feel free to text or email me if you have any questions.

Toni and Olive ( new boat dog )

USA
CDC.gov (Bringing animals to U.S.)
See website for banned breeds and High risk countries
Vaccination Records
Int’l Microchip
*Blood test w/o US approved Rabies vaccine

MEXICO
Gobo.mx (If traveling with a pet)
No banned breeds
From US No Health certificate
Senasica upon arrival
Other countries. Health certificate (within 15 days of travel)

GUATEMALA
Oirsa.org & aprende.guatemala.com
Health certificate no more than 10 days upon arrival from last country
Rabies vaccination no older than 1 year

EL SALVADOR
Mag.gob.sv (authorization for import pets) (authorization for export pets)
Health certificate from last country visited

HONDURAS
Sag.gob.hn (Pet entry) document in Spanish & difficult to translate.

NICARAGUA
Ispa.gob.ni
Health certificate no more than 29 days before entry
Vaccines received at least 30 days before entry no more than 365
Export certificate to Costa Rica

COSTA RICA
Senasa.go.cr (DCA PG 02 RS 01 IN 005)
Health certificate to enter and one to leave (no more than 2 weeks old)

PANAMA
Embassyofpanama.org
Mida.gob.pa
Panamaconsolate.gr/system/uploads/asset/data/19/animals_info.pdf
Health certificate to enter, must be approved by Panama consulate and then submitted
3 days before entry.

EXPAND HERE FOR MORE DETAILS FROM THE WEBSITE ( https://mida.gob.pa/formulariosinicio/ )

FROM THE WEBSITE ( https://mida.gob.pa/formulariosinicio/ )
INTRODUCTION OF SMALL ANIMALS
TO THE REPUBLIC OF PANAMA
(Canines, felines, ferrets.)

A. REQUIREMENTS

Official document “Zoosanitary Export Certificate” issued by the Health Authority of the country of origin, legalized by “Apostille” by the Foreign Ministry or Consular Office in Panamanian diplomatic offices with a maximum of thirty (30) days of issuance, where it is stated that pets (canines , cats and ferrets) have been clinically examined and present good health.
Certificate of Good Health issued by a suitable veterinarian, with a maximum of thirty (30) days of issuance.

It must be stated that the pets (canines, cats and ferrets) have been clinically examined, are in good health and do not present fresh wounds or wounds in the process of healing.

Current Vaccine Record

It is mandatory that before the trip the animals are vaccinated against the following diseases:

Canines: RABIES, DISTEMPER, HEPATITIS, LEPTOSPIROSIS, PARVOVIRUS.
Felines: RABIES, FELINE VIRAL RHINOTRACHEITIS, FELINE CALICIVIRUS, FELINE PANLEUKOPENIA.
Ferrets:
The rabies vaccine for dogs, cats and ferrets has been applied from three (3) months of age and thirty (30) days prior to the trip (puppies). And in adult animals the vaccines are within the validity period.
Indicate the vaccination dates, brand, batch and expiration date on your vaccination record.
Indicate the endo and ectoparasitic treatments carried out prior to shipment.

B. PROCEDURE

Notify 3 to 5 business days prior to the arrival of your pet, sending the “Request for Home Quarantine”.
You must request the form “Request for Home Quarantine” to the emails “cam@minsa.gob.pa” and “camzoonosis@gmail.com
Send it to “cam@minsa.gob.pa” and “camzoonosis@gmail.com”

Upon arrival in Panama, at the entry points (ports, airports and borders):

It must be presented with the original documentation and a set of copies at the Office of the Executive Directorate of Agricultural Quarantine – MIDA.
It must be presented with the original documentation at the Office

C. COST OF PROCEDURES

Ministry of Agricultural Development / Executive Directorate of Agricultural Quarantine

B/. 10.00 (dollars) in cash for the “Phyto-zoosanitary Import License”; one (1) license per species.

B/. 15.00 (dollars) in cash for the Veterinary Inspection per animal.

Legal basis:

Law No. 23 of July 15, 1997.

Executive Decree No. 18 of May 21, 2019.

Ministry of Health / Zoonosis Control Department / Quarantine Section

B/.130.00 (dollars) in cash per animal for home quarantine.

Legal basis:

Decree No. 1132 of August 20, 1970.

Executive Decree No. 305 of October 3, 2006.

Ministerial Resolution No. 183 of August 20, 2001.

OPENING HOURS FOR PROCESSING
OF IMPORTATION OF PETS:

Monday to Sunday: 8:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Telephones: (507) 238-4234 / 238-3752 / 524-2247

Emails:

wiredondo@mida.gob.pa

kdutary@mida.gob.pa

angonzalez@mida.gob.pa

tramitezoo@mida.gob.pa

Executive Directorate of Agricultural Quarantine

https://mida.gob.pa/deca/

FOR THE IMPORTATION OF OTHER ANIMAL SPECIES, OTHER THAN CANINES, FELINES AND FERRETS, YOU MUST PREVIOUSLY REQUEST THE ZOOSANITARY REQUIREMENTS FOR IMPORTATION TO THE EMAIL ADDRESSES DESCRIBED ABOVE OR TO THE PHONE 524-2220 (DINASA).

COLUMBIA
Ica.gov.co (dogs and cats to Columbia)
Must apply online for health certificate and payfee. Must be presented at time of entry.
Health certificate from country of origin w/in 10 days of entry, also antiparasitic treatment w/in 60 days of arrival

ECUADOR
Agrocalidad.gob.ec [(entry into Ecuador of pets)

GALAPAGOS
Tourist pets are not allowed on the island

JAMAICA
Miic.gov.jm (guidelines for the importation of dogs and cats into Jamaica)
Health certificate from country of origin, Veterinary import certificate, titer test.
https://www.moa.gov.jm/content/guidelines-importation-dogs-and-cats-jamaica-animals-diseases-importation-control-amendment

CAYMAN ISLANDS
Doa.gov.ky [(Animal Health (veterinary services & imports). Animal health Import dogs & cats)]
Import permit required (can be started up to 6 months before travel), rabies titer test, Health certificate from country of origin within 14 days of travel.

BELIZE
Baha.org.bz (animal health)
Health certificate within 2 weeks of travel

CUBA
Unable to find information

BAHAMAS
Bahamas.gov.bs/agriculturemarine
Dog permit, rabies titer test, Health certificate

TURKS AND CAICOS
Visittci.com [(www.gov.tc) governmental website under construction]
Valid veterinary certificate from country of origin, completed import application submitted and approved at least one week before travel.
$50.00 fee paid upon arrival

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
Ganaderia.gob.do (animal health requirements
Health certificate within 72 hours of travel

*COUNTRY*	URL Authority	*Q	*VR	*Health* *Certificate*	*Breed* *Restrictions*	*Titer test*	*Time* *Restrictions* *Health Certificate*	*International* *Micro-chip*	*Exit* *Requirement*
USA	CDC.gov (Bringing animals to US		✓	**	See website	X w/o US approved rabies		**
MEXICO	Gob.mx (If traveling with pet)			**					Health certificate
GUATEMALA	Oirsa.org Aprende.guatemala.com			✓			10 days or less		✓
EL SALVADOR	Mag.gob.sv (authorization for import pet)(export pets)			✓					✓
HONDURAS	Sag.gob.hn (pet entry)**
NICARAGUA	Ispa.gob.ni		✓	✓			29 days or less		✓
COSTA RICA	Senasa.go.cr DCA PG 02 RS 01 IN 005		✓	✓			2 Weeks or less Enter/exit		✓
PANAMA	Embassyofpanama.org Mida.gob.pa Panamaconsolate.gr/system/ uploads/asset/data/19/ animals_info.pdf	**	✓	✓			**	✓	**
Columbia	Ica.gov.co (dogs and cats to Columbia)		✓	✓			10 days or less
ECUADOR	Agrocalidad.gob.ec (entry into Ecuador pets)			✓		✓
GALAPAGOS	*Tourist pets not allowed
JAMAICA	Miic.gov.jm		✓	✓	✓	✓	3 weeks before arrival	✓
GRAND CAYMAN ISLANDS	Dip.gov.ky (conditions governing the importation of Dogs and Cats into Cayman Islands		✓	✓	✓	✓	14 days scheduled travel
BELIZE	Baha.org.bz (animal health)						Within 2 weeks or less
CUBA	*Unable to find reliable information
BAHAMAS	(Bahamas.gov.bs/agriculturemarine (dog permit)	✓	✓	✓	✓		**	✓
TURKS and CAICOS	Visittci.com) (www.gov.tc government website under construction)		✓	✓	✓		✓
DOMINICAN REPUBLIC	Ganaderia.gob.do (animal health requierments)			✓			72 hours of travel

*Quarantine Vaccination Records

USA

**If dog has not been in high risk country past 6 months, not required to present rabies vaccination record and can enter any location. If from high-risk country than must present rabies certificate, If US vaccination, valid under certain circumstances (see website) must also have an ISO compatible chip.

MEXICO

** From US or CANADA do not require health certificate, Health certificate required from other countries

HONDURAS

**Unable to translate document

PANAMA

**The Panamanian approved health certificate must be filled out and approved from country of origin and must be authenticated by the Panamanian consulate with in validity period, fee for home quarantine. Health certificate, export license must be obtained to exit.

GRAND CAYMAN

**Paper work can be started up to 6 months in advance. There are several steps to bring a pet. Start early

CUBA

Unable to find reliable information

BAHAMAS

Can take 6-8 weeks for approval process

** See website for details

BELIZE

** Import certificate valid or 90 days

TURKS and CAICOS

**Import application. Submitted and approved at least one week before arrival

LEGEND OF REQUIREMENTS
QUARANTINE	🟨
VACCINATION RECORDS	💉
INTL. MICRO CHIP	⚡
BREED RESTRICTIONS	🐶
BLOOD TESTS	🩸
TIME RESTRICTIONS DAYS BEFORE ENTRY	📅
SERVICE ANIMALS EXCEPTION	🦮👩‍🦯

by Toni

Safety

LONGLINES, DRAGNETS, UNMARKED FISHING DEVICES

( MAP ) ( SUBSCRIBE ) ( ADD LOCATION )

Environmental & Cruiser Risks of Microplastics and Long Lines

What are Long Lines?

Longline DangerS

Risk to SailorS

Risks to Environment

– HERE ARE THE 75 LOCATIONS WHERE THE FLEET HAS ENCOUNTERED THEM

REPORT YOUR ENCOUNTERS AND FINDINGS

PICTURES OF LONGLINES

LONG LINE OBSERVATIONS

HOW TO DEAL WITH LONG LINES

First Aid Kit(s) for Cruising by Rob Murray

Kit Supplies

SAFE HARBOR SOUTH BAY PANAMA POSSE KICK OFF PARTY ° SAN DIEGO ° CHULA VISTA °

SATURDAY OCTOBER 28th, 2023

SPONSORED BY:

| SAFE HARBOR SOUTH BAY |

THERE ARE A FEW DANGERS TO CONTEND WITH ALONG THE ROUTE

1) SCHEDULES KILL

2) CORRUPT COPS ( ON LAND )

3) LONG LINES

4) PIRATES

Northeast Coast of Nicaragua and Honduras

Security and Safety Risks Associated with the Entire Coast of Venezuela

5) WEATHER - HIGH WIND ZONES TEHUANTEPEC / PAPAGAYO WINDS / CARIBBEAN COAST COLOMBIA

6) CORRUPT IMMIGRATION OFFICIALS IN PANAMA

*Quarantine Vaccination Records

SAFE HARBOR SOUTH BAY
PANAMA POSSE KICK OFF PARTY ° SAN DIEGO ° CHULA VISTA °

5) WEATHER - HIGH WIND ZONES
TEHUANTEPEC / PAPAGAYO WINDS / CARIBBEAN COAST COLOMBIA