sw florida to cozumel

[n5ama]

I have a friend living on the island. He paints a bleak picture of living conditions there. You might be well advised to contact someone there to make sure it’s a place you want to be until this pandemic is behind us.

[Scaramanga F25]

Bahamas opened to Americans yesterday

[buddhadawg]

ok so it seems we have lots of conflicting info.. please send me the info on the Bahamas opening, or let me know where I can find it, last I saw closed til 5/30.

also in regards to mx, I have found recent info as to cruisers checking into mx currently, and I have seen nothing to indicate total lockdown except for the post here.

how do I obtain the TIP to get into mx if its open, and I have reached out to a couple of the local marinas in isla mujeres, I assume the dockmaster on site would be the 'port captain' or is there an official 'port captain?' thanks for the info and help new to the cruising world, and don't want to get halfway to someplace I cant go lol

[sguerrero1971]

Originally Posted by buddhadawg

ok so it seems we have lots of conflicting info.. please send me the info on the Bahamas opening, or let me know where I can find it, last I saw closed til 5/30.

also in regards to mx, I have found recent info as to cruisers checking into mx currently, and I have seen nothing to indicate total lockdown except for the post here.

how do I obtain the TIP to get into mx if its open, and I have reached out to a couple of the local marinas in isla mujeres, I assume the dockmaster on site would be the 'port captain' or is there an official 'port captain?' thanks for the info and help new to the cruising world, and don't want to get halfway to someplace I cant go lol

I can't speak of the Bahamas opening yesterday, as we have friends there that are heading back to Florida first weather window they get because everything is shutdown. This was from a conversation we had with them Wednesday 4/29.

I did a quick Google search and found this as well.
https://www.bahamas.com/pressroom/ba...ent-covid-19-6

As for the marinas in Isla Mujeres we stopped last year on our way to Guatemala at Marina Puerto Isla Mujeres and they had all of the offices that we needed to contact come to the boat. It took a day and a half, but it was way easier than running around trying to find where to check in. We also visited El Milagro Marina and talked with them and we found out they offer the same service. The Port Captain and the Dockmasters are not the same, but you can get a lot done if you work with the Dockmaster from the marina you check into.

Good Luck!

[buddhadawg]

thanks, from what I see, Bahamas will let you transit back to your home country, but that's it.

thanks for mx info!

[Sailmonkey]

Originally Posted by Scaramanga F25

Bahamas opened to Americans yesterday

Citation please

[Montanan]

Currently there are 597 confirmed cases of Cornavirus Covid-19 in Cancun. All hotels, beaches, and activities in Cancun, Playa del Carmen, Riviera Maya, and Cozumel have been temporarily shut down due to the virus.

The Federal government stay at home, closure of all non-essential businesses has been extended until at least May 30th.

https://qroo.gob.mx/sesa/nuevo-coronavirus-covid-19

[Montanan]

Bahamas Protocol for Private Vessels - Covid-19

https://www.dropbox.com/s/d5pw09is0d...Final.pdf?dl=0


On 14 April the Bahamian government released an official protocol for cruising yachts.

The key points of the protocol are:

No boats shall enter Bahamian Waters for whatsoever purpose until further notice.
Foreign vessels do not have to leave the country, but they are expected to register with a designated competent authority – DCA (addresses in the protocol)
Boaters are to remain in their vessels. Food and fuel is to be delivered without the boater going ashore.
If a boater becomes ill, it is expected that they seek medical attention from their home country. (There is no mention of urgent care which presumably remains available)
Recreational boating, and fishing is forbidden during the lockdown period and applies to all vessels Bahamian or foreign, private or commercial.
Once a boater leaves their current location, they must leave the Bahamas without stopping. If they cannot make the voyage non-stop they must submit a proposed itinerary for prior approval by the DCA.

The Association of Bahamas Marinas has established a program of safe harbor Marinas that will provide food and supplies to boaters on their voyages out of the Bahamas.

Safe Harbor Marinas:

There are now strategically placed participating marinas through the country available and open to accept vessels provided you have made arrangements prior to arrival. The program also applies to those crossing through Bahamian waters in order to get back to their country of origin (Right of Innocent Passage). Recreational boating from one island to another is strictly prohibited by the government.

Participating Marinas:

Staniel Cay Marina 1 (242) 355-2024 (Exuma)
Flying Fish 1 (242) 337-3430 (Long Island)
Cape Eleuthera 1 (844) 884-1014 (Rock Sound, Eleuthera)
Romora Bay 1 (242) 333-2325 (Harbour Island)
Bay Street Marina 1 (242) 676-7000 (Nassau)
Grand Bahama Yacht Club 1 (242) 373-7616 (Freeport, GBI)
Bimini Cove (Bimini Sands) 1 (772) 210-0443 (South Bimini)
Association of Bahamas Marinas: Safe Harbor Marinas

[mvweebles]

I just traded notes with a friend who is a long time resident of Playa del Carmen. I also have a good friend in Ensenada on the other side of the country. They both tell same story: Phase 3 Lockdown is being enforced. Roads in/out of towns are restricted - you can go grocery shopping, beaches are closed. Masks are required whenever you are out, including driving. Locals seem to manage under-radar workarounds to get some work done, but I'm not sure it would be workable for a gringo.

Isla has an active cruising community. You may be able to get a decent reception, but would probably be a bit stressful due to unknown. As far as a TIP, most marinas have someone who will escort you through the process, perhaps for a fee. The actual issuer of the TIP is a government official - it takes at least a half-day due to trips to bank to pay fees, and multiple agencies. I have no idea if these offices have restrictions due to Virus - I would not be surprised if they only service commercial needs, but that is only a guess.

Good luck!

Peter

[belizesailor]

Just to clarify for OP: TIP and Zarpe are not the same thing. From NoonSite:

"
...
It is strongly advised that ALL foreign boats visiting the east coast of Mexico (including those from the USA) arrive with a zarpe from their last port of call.

PRE-ARRIVAL

For US boats obtaining a Zarpe is difficult, but not impossible. See USA Formalities for the details. In many ports, Zarpes are only issued to commercial vessels. Read the consequences of arriving in Mexico without one in the report here.

...
"

A summary of clearance procedures and lots of other info can be found at the link below.

https://www.noonsite.com/place/mexico/

Navigation of the new NoonSite is atrocious, but there is still a lot of info there...including contact info for the Port Captain in Cozumel.

[Moontide]

Little clarification on cruisers going through Bahamas. A prior post implied that you can stop and anchor while transiting the Bahamas.



That is correct, BUT, what I've seen says only one time and that you get one night at anchor. Cannot get off the boat for any reason, but can get fuel, water and provisions delivered to you at an authorized marina (think there are 5).

[garychurch]

Moontide is not correct.

Based on the protocols you can request what you need to transit the Bahamas. I was granted innocent passage during the first two weeks of May to accommodate weather as well as an approval anchor overnight in multiple locations to facilitate crew rest. I also provided a planned route which was approved.

Just follow the instructions in the Protocols sections 15, 16 and 17.

[Trader Ric]

I don't know about other Mexican ports, but the Cozumel Port Captain has ordered Cozumel CLOSED for all water craft and water sports. That means no boats, no matter what size, commercial or private, Mexican or foreign, EXCEPT the ferries, can come and go from the island, or leave a Cozumel harbor if they are in a harbor. The ferry schedule has been reduced to two trips a day from the normal 48 trips. All beaches are closed. All parks are closed. Curfew is from 5AM to 5PM, except for pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals. Food stores, restaurants, and banks can be open from only between the hours of 5AM to 4PM. Restaurants are take-out only. Food stores limit the number of shoppers that can enter at one time. No other non-essential business can open. Only one person allowed on a motorbike or car (only the driver) and ONLY for trips to essential businesses. Taxis can take only one passenger at a time. Masks must be worn at all times outdoors or in a public building. The island has dozens of roadblocks and roving police cars enforcing these rules 24 hours a day. Penalty for not following any of these these rules is 36 hours in the clink. More stringent rules may be on the way.

I would council you to postpone your trip.

[BlueH2Obound]

Originally Posted by Trader Ric

I don't know about other Mexican ports, but the Cozumel Port Captain has ordered Cozumel CLOSED for all water craft and water sports. That means no boats, no matter what size, commercial or private, Mexican or foreign, EXCEPT the ferries, can come and go from the island, or leave a Cozumel harbor if they are in a harbor. The ferry schedule has been reduced to two trips a day from the normal 48 trips. All beaches are closed. All parks are closed. Curfew is from 5AM to 5PM, except for pharmacies, clinics, and hospitals. Food stores, restaurants, and banks can be open from only between the hours of 5AM to 4PM. Restaurants are take-out only. Food stores limit the number of shoppers that can enter at one time. No other non-essential business can open. Only one person allowed on a motorbike or car (only the driver) and ONLY for trips to essential businesses. Taxis can take only one passenger at a time. Masks must be worn at all times outdoors or in a public building. The island has dozens of roadblocks and roving police cars enforcing these rules 24 hours a day. Penalty for not following any of these these rules is 36 hours in the clink. More stringent rules may be on the way.

I would council you to postpone your trip.

Good advice, and Welcome to the forum!

[Moontide]

Graychurch - that's great to hear. When they first set it up it was limited to one stop. If you can stop multiple times it will help a lot of boats, especially fairly inexperienced doublehanded boats.



As with all this stuff, a rapidly moving target.