We got up about normal time, 6:30 am, listened to the net, had breakfast and diid our devotions.
Immediately after breakfast we went out and retrieved our stern anchor. This sound fairly easy, but the sea was pretty active. We first tied a fender to the end of the anchor rode, then untied the anchor from our boat. This allowed our boat to swing away from the anchor, due to the waves and current. We then got into the dinghy that we had left down the previous night and went out and got the fender and pulled in the anchor. By the time we got to the chain on the anchor rode, we were probably a 100 feet or more from the boat. We had to use the motor on the dinghy to break the anchor free. Once we had the anchor back on the dinghy we then went back to the boat and put everything away. Total time about 2 hours.
As we were back inside the boat settling down after the morning workout, the port captain called all the boats and let us know that we would be allowed to enter the port at 11 am. Shortly after that Renee’ pointed out that we really ought to dump our holding tank prior to going in. So, we tried to call the port captain on the radio, we tried texting and finally gave up. We asked one of the other boats to listen for the Port Captain and to let him know that we would be back after dumping the holding tank. Then we headed out to dump the holding tank. Shortly after this, one of the other boats noted that we were moving and called on the radio to see what we were doing. I explained what we were doing and that we had not been able to get the port captain to respond. He finally chimed in and said that we had to enter the port at 11 am. Since it was already after 10, this meant that we did not have time to go out three miles, which is what is required in the states, but does not seem to be the practice here in Mexico. So, we went out about 1 mile and dumped the holding tank. Then back into the port.
On the way to the dock, we followed another boat, and after they were tied up, we pulled in. Due to some issues with communications, we ran into a power boat on the opposite side of the fairway. This is the second or third time that this has happened. The problem is that when we pull in the wind is blowing us away from the dock, one of the first things that happens when we pull in is that the bow line gets thrown across. Inevitably the person on the dock pulls on this line. Which causes the back of the boat to go further from the dock. While we have a bow thruster we don’t have a stern thruster and it is very difficult to control where the back end of the boat goes. I have thought about this a few times and have come up with a plan. Rather than pulling in, I will back in. This means the first line across will be the stern line, and since I have a bow thruster, I will have more control over the front end of the boat.
Once we were tied up the Port Captain was there to give us the form we needed to fill out and to make sure we knew that we could not go ashore. Or even get on the dock. They offered to get us anything we needed, and helped us get shore power on (so that we did not have to get on the dock). By 1 pm or so, we were tied to the dock, shore power on and AC running. Eventually it did cool down on the boat and then dinner and a game followed by half of a movie.
We do have room for guests, if anyone is interested in visiting and spending a week or so with us, drop us a line and we will coordinate. What you have to do/have is you need a passport and will need to be able to get to where we are when you are going to be down. When we know what time frame you are thinking about we can let you know where we expect to be so that you can make your travel arrangements.
If you want to know where we are, click this link:
https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/Make_Me_Laugh_Again
June 5, 2020 Puerto Peñasco; Day 9 of Quarantine
I got up about 6:50 intending to listen to the net at 7 am, but there was too much interference, so just worked on the blog instead.
A short rant here, why can’t support people just answer the question that is asked? The situation is that we are stuck on the boat, and using a lot of data on our phones. We have AT&T (because we are in Mexico and Verizon said that if 50% of our use was not in the US, we would be canceled. Our plan allows for unlimited data, but only 15 GB/month tethered, after which the data slows to 128k. It is still unlimited, but slower. I received a notice that I had used 15 GB of tethered data as of yesterday, (our plan goes from the first of the month, so 15 GB in 4 days). I was also told via text that 15 GB had been added to our account. This means that I have a few more days until the slowdown. I chatted with AT&T, the automated system first, asking how much to add more data on a one time basis. The automated system wanted to show me different plans, so I asked to speak to a representative. I chatted with the rep and asked her how much to add data one time, she said do you want to change plans, I repeated no, just one time. She went away for a couple of minutes and came back and said, I can reset your 15 GB limit on a one time thing. I said great! But how much does it cost? Never did get an answer for that. Finally just gave up.
Here we are in Puerto Peñasco, tied to the dock, waiting out our quarantine. Today we will get the answer to the question of whether we will have to leave immediately after hauling out, or can stay and get our work done. If we they are going to require us to leave immediately, then we will not be staying here, and will head back to San Carlos tomorrow when we have to leave the marina. While it will be a minor inconvenience to go to San Carlos (250+ miles south) it means that we can get hauled out as soon as we get there and get the work started. We are currently a month behind when we wanted to get hauled out and start the work on the boat.
I would rather stay here and get the work done. It is important to note, whether we haul out here or San Carlos, we will start on about the same day, the cost is about the same. The only difference is the complication of getting to and from the US.
We do have room for guests, if anyone is interested in visiting and spending a week or so with us, drop us a line and we will coordinate. What you have to do/have is you need a passport and will need to be able to get to where we are when you are going to be down. When we know what time frame you are thinking about we can let you know where we expect to be so that you can make your travel arrangements.
If you want to know where we are, click this link:
https://forecast.predictwind.com/tracking/display/Make_Me_Laugh_Again
Sorry, no pictures today.
