A BAD WEEK IN MAZATLAN

It was a bad week in Mazatlan.  Not for us thank goodness, but for a couple other boats.  The first incident occurred while a sailboat was crossing over the bar and entering the breakwater of the marina.  As you can see from the pictures (taken on an average day) there is surf at the breakwater. 

The sailboat entered about like the one above, except the surf was quite a bit higher.  When he was in the position of the boat in the picture he got caught in a wave trough and his keel struck ground, causing the boat to pivot toward the rocks.  The next wave picked it up and dashed it on the rocks, creating a large hole in the bow.




The captain and his wife were able to jam rags into the hole, slowing the inrush enough to allow time to get to the boat lift at Fonatur Marina. It was a very challenging time for the crew.  The captain's wife cranked on the manual bilge pump for about 45 minutes, assisting their electric bilge pump.  Other cruisers rushed to assist with additional pumps.  The captain was busy navigating in to the boat lift, making frequent dashes down to keep the rags in place.  Eventually they got the boat in the yard, but only after presenting their documents and signing a contract and making payment for the haul out.  Pretty darn bureaucratic.







The second incident was the sinking of a small sailboat in the lagoon behind the marina.  I don't know the details.  We saw the boat being pulled to the boat lift, so I grabbed my camera and took some pictures as we passed on our way into town.  Never did talk with the owner to find out what happened. 

Boats don't normally have these sinking problems, that's why there are so darn many of them in all our favorite anchorages. 

Now that we are here, I think Mexico should pass a law limiting the number of boats allowed into the country.  They should make them wait in San Diego until one of us who are already here leaves.

Just kidding. 

Really.