Jim Watts wrote:
Anyone down there right now with local knowledge? Wally?
The msg below was on the southbound list today, and spells out the situation very well. It's not nearly as funny as my rant, but will probably pass under the radar. (My little message probably would have put me on someone's 'troublemaker' list.)
I pulled into La Cruz to spend the holidays at the dock, and am next to an impounded CS36. They won't be heading to El Salvador this winter, now, but seem to be taking it in stride. There's no point getting all worked up about it, because all that will do is make folks not want to help you.
As one of those people who has a "dog (aka boat) in this fight" perhaps I can set the record straight(er). Following is our own experience/understanding on this matter. It may be different from yours if you have a boat here in Mexico that was effected since every marina may have had a different experience and there are those others who interpret what is proper and not and proceed on their way even though that "technically" they readily admit it is not correct. 1. Here in La Cruz there are either 50 or 55 boats on the "list" that are temporarily impounded. We are included on that list. Over all we have been told that there are 388 boats on the list across Mexico. We have also been told that there are fewer. 2. Our documentation was correct. Initially, we were not asked for our documentation. The SAT (presumably) personnel walked down the dock backed by 2 armed military personnel and a representative of the marina. In some cases, they inspected paperwork. In others, even when asked to do so, they declined. In our case, they did not knock on the hull nor did they shout the boat name they simply wrote down the name and moved on without looking at anything. Lynn was off the boat at the time and I was onboard working and waiting, with paperwork in hand, for them to arrive. I was unaware that there was any perception of a problem. 3. We have been told (no informative paperwork to tell us) that we cannot leave the dock for any reason. We would do so at our own risk. However, there have been some races and other activities here since this all began and at least some of those on the list have interpreted the impound to mean they can go off the dock and return. They do so at their own risk (presumably of being formally impounded although that has not been formally indicated). 4. The SAT personnel (?) returned a few days later accompanied by the harbormaster. They were physically inspecting the boat HIN as compared to the TIP info and took a photo of the HIN. Then they were checking off on 2 or 3 lists that it was correct and then moved on. Our documentation was completely correct and we were told that everything was okay. We presumed that we had cleared the "temporary impound". Not so. 5. A few days ago I had a conversation with the Harbormaster and was told that this entire matter had to be cleared by Mexico City. Apparently the "local" people were unable to make that determnation. He said that both he and the marina attorney had made several trips to Mexico City and elsewhere to get this matter cleared but as yet, nothing had been finalized. Conversations "on the dock" have yielded estimates from "a few days" to "maybe 6 months" to get this straightened out. No one knows or seems to know. IF they do, they are apparently well upstream in the Mexican government and haven't yet spoken with those here who need to know. 6. Lat 38 has a boat in this too (also here in La Cruz). He has the deeper pockets and the political connections to get to the top of this (we are at the bottom) and get something going. He writes about it in Lat 38. The fact that he does and has a mag doesn't mean he is catering to advertising, etc. interests. IF you were here or elsewhere AND involved in this you might have a different picture of what was/is going on. 7. In some of these posts, it was indicated that the marina might not or did not have proper paperwork on file. La Cruz (properly called Marina Riviara Nayarit) is a relatively new marina and, it would seem natural to have the most current info on what is necessary. The original marina person you might have checked in with is no longer here. Someone else is, and she does a great job. They do what they are told to do. If their files were not correct, I tend to think they were told they did not need to have that paperwork. The question is: where did that info come from originally and what was it? In most places that would seem to be the government that set down the rules for running the marina as far as paperwork goes. However, there are others who have said that all the information was always required but WE do not actually know one way or the other. So, given all that, the marina could well be as surprised and as much "in the dark" as the rest of us who have boats and are directly caught up in it. HOWEVER, SINCE WE DON'T HAVE ACCESS TO THE ORIGINAL INFO, THIS IS SPECULATION! 8. Mexico just recently had a national election. The incoming political party is the same political party that was in power for about 70 years and was displaced 12 years ago. The previous 2 Presidents (from the "other" party) were sailors. I understand that the new President is NOT and therefore MAY NOT have as much understanding in this realm as his predecessors and may look at boats in the same way as they look at cars and trucks with VIN numbers. This MIGHT have been the govenment's attempt to get a "snapshot" of the situation at a particular point in time. This kind of thing MIGHT just be the party's way of telling/showing us there has been a change. It MIGHT signal the return to the way cruising in Mexico was over 12 years ago. HOWEVER, THAT IS PURE SPECULATION AND MIGHT HAVE NO BASIS IN FACT! NO ONE AT OUR LEVEL, TO OUR KNOWLEDGE, ACTUALLY KNOWS! It is a dangerous and slippery slope to think that what was in the past will repeat itself in the now and/or in the future. AS I SAID, THE POLITICAL INFO ABOVE IS PURELY SPECULATION AND HAS (AFAIK) NO ABSOLUTE BASIS IN FACT. I have tried to be as even handed as I can be. Some things (what we experienced) we know from our POV. Other things we "know" by talking with those that are directly involved. Other things we "know" because we have heard it on the dock or read it somewhere. The ONLY thing that we can say that we actually KNOW is what we experienced directly. Yes there is speculation above. We hear it daily on the dock. But it IS (as far as we know) pure speculation when we have indicated it to be. Our thoughts: WE have done things legally and all is in order. WE have no reason to think that it will result negatively for us. It may take some time but we believe it will be a positive resolution for us and by far most others. Those that are doing the "puddlejump" might (that is might NOT will) be impacted depending on timing. Those that are going on the El Salvador Rally might also. However, not everyone doing those things were in marinas. (Those anchored out were apparently NOT effected at all.) For some of us who are getting a bit older or who have financial commitments back "home" that require them to return at a specific time might find they have to modify or postpone their dreams a bit. However, if you keep busy during the interium and are ready to go when the impound is officially lifted (maybe days or maybe weeks or months), you might still be able to do what you want to do this year. If you are effected, instead of hanging our/your heads and complaining/speculating, get ready to be out of wherever you are and be able to cut the dock lines without delay when the start is possible. Worried about coming to Mexico? Yes and no. "Yes" if you are trying to deal in illegal activities or disappear into the woodwork. "No" if you are doing things above board and legally. Mexico is computerized and connected to other countries and has done so rather quickly. They are serious about who enters, stays, and leaves their country and they should rightly be. Safety? It is most likely MORE safe here than in the states. I can't speak to safety in Canada. Media blows up things unbelievably. If it bleeds it leads is a common saying. Good info dies on the vine because it doesn't bleed. Rick S/V La Vita 1987 Hans Christian 33T http://www.la-vita.us/blog/ Currently: Lying La Cruz de Huanacaxtle, Nayarit, Mexico
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