Marina Mazatlan Semi Shut and Up for Auction
October 22 - Mazatlan, Mexico
"We just returned from the 4 pm Cruiser Cocktail gathering
at Marina Mazatlan, where the Port Captain made a shocking announcement,"
report Dale Finely and Paula Peters of the Sonoma-based Sunrise.
"Situr - which owns the Mazatlan Marina as well as ones
in Puerto Vallarta and Ixtapa - has major financial problems.
Actually, this isn't news, as it's been well known for a long
time. The news is that they've decided to sell off Marina Mazatlan,
which is apparently their least expensive property and not that
profitable. But when they listed it for sale, a group of Situr's
minority shareholders filed suit to stop them from selling it.
Until the lawsuit is resolved, the marina cannot legally enter
into any new slip tenant agreements. This means if your boat
isn't already in the marina, you can't come in - even if you
pre-paid for a slip. If anyone has already paid for a reservation,
they can either request a refund from the marina office - which
will mail a money order to wherever you are - or request that
the funds be credited toward the other Situr marinas. They are
in the process of roping off the slips, and they've hired guards.
Boats already in the marina can stay, but if they leave, they
can't get back in. Apparently there is an auction scheduled for
November 9 to sell the marina. Once a buyer is secured, the seller
and buyer have to go to Mexico City to deal with the lawsuit.
This is Mexico, so there is no telling how long this process
will take.
"A couple of things that we forgot
to mention. Boaters who bought slips at Mazatlan Marina still
own them, no change. The marina staff hasn't changed either.
As for the boats left at the 'no power/no water' docks for the
summer that had reservations to move to docks with power and
water on November 1, they've already been moved into those slips.
The greater slip fees won't start until the 1st."
Mazatlan
Photo Courtesy Neil and Debra McQueen of Tranquilo
The same information was reported by Anne
Kelty of the Alameda-based Whitby 42 Michaelanne. She
also reported that Harbormaster Capt. Gerardo Sanchez Lias said
that the popular Cruisers' Thanksgiving that was always held
at Marina Mazatlan will now be moved to Marina Vallarta, and
there won't be anything at Mazatlan. All cruisers will be welcome
to the party in Puerto Vallarta. In addition, Marina El Cid,
next door to Marina Mazatlan, is not taking berth reservations
for after November 7, as they have a billfishing tournament from
the 7th until the 20th. Plus they already have a nine boat waiting
list for after the 20th.
The above isn't great news, but it's not
end of the world news either. Instead of going to Mazatlan, cruisers
can either stay longer in the Sea of Cortez or make the 300-mile
jump from Cabo to Banderas Bay. Those who really want to visit
Mazatlan can also avail themselves of the old anchorage in the
main harbor. It's a little funky and the holding ground isn't
the best, but some folks really like it - and it's free. We'll
have a current report on this anchorage in a 'Lectronic Latitude
before the week is out.
|
