Mexico Cruising Photo Quiz
©2008 Latitude 38 Media, LLC
If you think you’ve "been everywhere in Mexico" with your boat, you should be able to identify the anchorage Profligate is at in the above photo. Would it be helpful if we told you that it was on the mainland Mexico coast? Of course it wouldn’t, as it’s too tropical to be on the Baja side.
Fire at San Rafael YC
Firefighters called to San Rafael YC around 2:50 a.m. on Monday were greeted by a flaming back deck. It took under an hour to put out the fire, which was probably caused by hot barbecue ashes, but Battalion Chief Jeff Buscher estimated the damage to the clubhouse to be around $100,000. There was no answer at the club when we called but we’d still like to talk to someone about the fire and plans for repairs. Please contact LaDonna.
Pirates Kidnap Four Yachties
A German family of three and their French skipper were sailing a small yacht across the Gulf of Aden on Monday when Somali pirates forced them off their boat, taking them into the hills behind the fishing village of Las Qoray in the Puntland region. News outlets today are reporting that the pirates are now demanding a ransom, though the exact amount has not been disclosed. There are also reports that the young son of the kidnapped German couple has fallen ill with fever. Security forces are trying to track down the pirates while local authorities attempt to negotiate with the kidnappers.
Etheral Star Safe and Sound
In Friday’s edition of ‘Lectronic Latitude, we put the word out that cruising friends of Harold Parrett were concerned about his well being as he’d not been heard from since leaving Mazatlan on June 14 aboard his Newport 30 Etheral Star. As we speculated, Parrett was just fine. We’ve received a report that Etheral Star‘s batteries had died, making communication difficult, and that the boat is safely anchored in La Paz. Such is the life of cruisers!
Switlik Life Raft Recall
Switlik Parachute Company, makers of Switlik life rafts, has issued a safety alert and recall on all of their liferafts. It seems that inflation valves on the rafts might fail to "operate properly and discharge the gas from the CO2 cylinder into the life raft." In other words, your raft may or may not inflate when your boat is sinking out from under you. This is definitely not something to put off so, if you have a Switlik raft, go to www.switlik.com to find the nearest service station for the free valve replacement.