Crew Wanted: Captain Tampa to Roatan Honduras

[AJB]

Looking for Captain early July to go from Tampa to Key West to Cancun to Roatan. 2021 Boston Whaler Conquest 325.

[Snore]

Originally Posted by AJB

Looking for Captain early July to go from Tampa to Key West to Cancun to Roatan. 2021 Boston Whaler Conquest 325.

Not sure boat has range. But let’s talk.

Sent pm

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Snore

Not sure boat has range. But let’s talk.

Sent pm

Per the site below it should have about 300 mile range with twin 350's. That puts the usual stops in the Yucatan just out of range...so will have to plan for that...maybe fuel bladders and/or a little side trip for cigars.

https://boattest.com/boat/boston-wha...utical%20miles.

You will of course also have to factor in the Gulf Stream/Gulf Loop/Yucatan currents.

After you make that hop, the rest of the legs can be kept much shorter. Just coastal hop down to southern Belize. The power boats that run ferry service between Belize and Honduras usually make for Puerto Cortez after departing Belize via Ranguana Pass. The winds and seas down in this "corner" are often a calmer so that is their preferred route. I've motored across that route when it was dead calm with just a slight swell when further N the Trade Winds were honking.

With a good weather window (calm) you could also depart from Ranguana Pass and make for Utila...only about 75nm.

The Trade Winds tend to diminish and back close along the Honduran Coast (and really get to roaring again out near the Bay Islands) so this is traditionally the preferred route for making Easting along the Honduran Coast, but it is also the most likely area to have security problems.

[AJB]

I plan for bladders with an additional 200 gallons. Still consideration configuration of two for best placement. This will easily take us from KW to Cancun. I have better customs and hospitality arrangements there than Isla.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by AJB

I plan for bladders with an additional 200 gallons. Still consideration configuration of two for best placement. This will easily take us from KW to Cancun. I have better customs and hospitality arrangements there than Isla.

Good start. The rest of what I wrote above may be useful to you.

A straight shot from Belize to Roatan in a smallish power vessel during normal trade winds would be rough as hell. So either waiting for a favorable weather window (unikely in July due to no cold fronts...shifts in July normally indicate approaching Tropical Weather) or going further S as described above will likely give you a much smoother run.

That time of year, watch synoptic weather charts for "instant hurricane" conditions. This is when a Tropical Wave crosses a closed area of low pressure....almost always this drops the pressure and creates Tropical Weather. This is common just N of Honduras.

[Montanan]

FYI:

You best check on whether Honduras will allow you to enter given that presently the situation is as per Noonsite

"COVID-19: CLOSED (Bay Islands Application Possible)

Yachting Protocols:

24 March, 2021

The Honduran Maritime Authority have made contact with Noonsite and assured us that sea borders throughout Honduras are NOT open to recreational craft or cruise ships, only merchant ships at this time.
That said, it MAY be possible to get permission to enter The Bay Islands."

All documents are required to be in PDF format and sent as indicated PRIOR to arrival. Private yachts must wait for approval PRIOR to arriving in any of The Bay Islands. Documents below must be sent to:
Option #1: Yacht Agent (costs vary from $250-$500 USD). Ask the marinas for agent recommendations.
Option #2: Honduras Government at: gobernadorilsas@gmail.com (free)
Note – cruisers report that response from the Government is very slow and in many cases no response at all, therefore using an agent is a much more efficient and effective process (albeit at a price).

. . .

The key is ALL Maritime Borders of all of The Bay Islands are still closed. Only if private yachts are sure to complete and submit all requirements and wait for PRIOR approval and the COPECO/SINAGER government letter before entering any of The Bay Islands, may they enter any of The Bay Islands. If the private yachts do not adhere to these strict requirements, then their entry will be invalid and the private yacht will be denied entry.

Reference:
https://www.noonsite.com/place/hondu...curity-section

[AJB]

Appreciate, got the agent!

[Montanan]

Operative word being May. Which implies an alternative outcome of May Not. Nothing being assured as to being normal during a pandemic.

Enjoy your voyage.

[AJB]

Let’s hope as a Resident of the island, I get a bit more consideration. 😁

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by AJB

Let’s hope as a Resident of the island, I get a bit more consideration. 😁

Residency is a distinct plus for repatriation entry, but may not extend to non-familial crew.

My family greatly enjoyed our visit to Roatan, and would like to return in the not too distant future.

God speed and bon voyage.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by AJB

Let’s hope as a Resident of the island, I get a bit more consideration. [emoji16]

Where on Roatan?

[Montanan]

Originally Posted by belizesailor

Per the site below it should have about 300 mile range with twin 350's. That puts the usual stops in the Yucatan just out of range...so will have to plan for that...maybe fuel bladders and/or a little side trip for cigars.

https://boattest.com/boat/boston-wha...utical%20miles.

You will of course also have to factor in the Gulf Stream/Gulf Loop/Yucatan currents.

After you make that hop, the rest of the legs can be kept much shorter. Just coastal hop down to southern Belize. The power boats that run ferry service between Belize and Honduras usually make for Puerto Cortez after departing Belize via Ranguana Pass. The winds and seas down in this "corner" are often a calmer so that is their preferred route. I've motored across that route when it was dead calm with just a slight swell when further N the Trade Winds were honking.

With a good weather window (calm) you could also depart from Ranguana Pass and make for Utila...only about 75nm.

The Trade Winds tend to diminish and back close along the Honduran Coast (and really get to roaring again out near the Bay Islands) so this is traditionally the preferred route for making Easting along the Honduran Coast, but it is also the most likely area to have security problems.

With twin 350's and Raymarine radar and massive display I suspect this vessel could out run pretty much any security problem.

Recommend two bladders which are consumed first and then stored when they are empty then can be rolled up and stored lashed on the foredeck. Don't consume your tanks and then pump from the bladders to refill the tanks, instead plumb so as to draw from your bladders first.

Hope the passage will be smooth else there will be a lot of pounding and slow going.

FYI as to Belize:

COVID-19: OPEN

Yachting Protocols:

May 2021

Maritime borders opened on 10 February and the Belize Port Authority have now updated the specific biosecurity measures for small foreign pleasure vessels [see https://belizetourismboard.org/news-...d-19-update/]:

https://belizetourismboard.org/news-...vid-19-update/

Small foreign pleasure vessels and live aboard vessels (less than 100GRT) shall not require a shipping agent to facilitate entry to and exit from Belize.

Existing clearance procedures will be maintained for entry to and exit from Belize territorial waters. Reference: https://www.noonsite.com/place/beliz...arance-section

Upon entering Belize’s territorial waters, all yachts must make contact with the Belize Port Authority via VHF (Channel 16) or by e-mail to vto@portauthority.bz giving “Notice of Arrival”. The NOA form can be found at www.portauthority.bz.
All foreign vessels using this protocol are required to provide a “Passage Plan” for the duration of their stay in Belize.
Vessels must proceed immediately to one of the four ports of entry: San Pedro, Ambergris Caye; Belize City, Belize; Placencia, Stann Creek; and Punta Gorda Town. Each of these destinations has one designated location for processing of vessels. Yachts must remain at anchor until the official boarding party have completed procedures (Customs, Immigration, Health, BAHA, and Belize Port Authority).

Yacht crew entering Belize are subject to similar requirements when entering at the airport, including: proof of a negative COVID-19 PCR test taken up to 72 hours prior to arrival or a Rapid Antigen test up to 48 hours prior to arrival; proof of vaccination also accepted.
If arriving with no test results testing by the MOHW on arrival is possible.
All visitors should download the Belize Travel Health App.
Yacht crew that have been at sea for 14 consecutive days or more without having visited another country or port, shall be exempt from providing proof of COVID-19 test or being tested upon arrival.
Positive tests will require the quarantining of the entire vessel and its passengers and crew.
The new Notice to Mariners and updates can be found at https://www.facebook.com/GOBPressOffice/.
Contact:

BELIZE PORT AUTHORITY
4 Miles George Price Highway
Belize City, Belize
Tel: 501-222-5666
Email: bzportauth@btl.net
https://www.portauthority.bz/categor...e-to-mariners/

History:

19 March, 2020, the Belize Port Authority announced that the Government of Belize had made the decision to close maritime borders to all traffic, including pleasure yachts.
Vessels were prohibited from departing from and going to San Pedro, Ambergris Caye.
The state of emergency expired on June 30, 2020.
The Belize airport reopened on October 1st for international travel. Travelers to Belize must test negative for COVID-19 and may only stay at approved Gold Standard Hotels. The Belize Travel Health app is now available. See https://prescreentravel.covid19.bz/home/Classifications for more details.
Sea borders did not open until 10 February, 2021. To begin with an agent was required for all vessels, but by the start of March the Belize Port Authority had simplified procedures for small foreign vessels, including the scrapping of testing and quarantine if a vessel has been at sea for 14 consecutive days or more.
Resources:

Belize Port Authority
http://health.gov.bz/www/
https://belizing.com/coronavirus/
https://www.covid19.bz/
Related Businesses
The Ministry of Health – Belize
Address: Ministry of Health, East Block, Independence Plaza, Belmopan, Belize,



Health
Malaria prophylaxis is recommended. Typhoid, hepatitis A, and polio vaccinations are also recommended by most doctors. Belize now ranks number one in Central America for Aids.

Tap water is potable in some towns and resort areas but tap water in the cayes or in the south of Belize is not recommended for drinking. Drink bottled water which is sold at all gas stations, grocery stores, etc.

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by Montanan

With twin 350's and Raymarine radar and massive display I suspect this vessel could out run pretty much any security problem.



....

Yes, speed is good for outrunning security issues and squalls. Fortunately, I have only ever needed to use it for the later.

[flyingfin]

how about trailer delivery via banana boat to Puerto barrios?

[belizesailor]

Originally Posted by flyingfin

how about trailer delivery via banana boat to Puerto barrios?

I had suggested it might be more practical just to ship it as deck cargo earlier. Since the final destination is Roatan it would likely be less red tape to ship it to Puerto Cortez, Honduras. Then it is just a relatively short run to Roatan.