Boat Drags Anchor, Goes onto Rocks in Mexico
San Evaristo is a popular anchorage for boats traveling to and from the northern Sea of Cortez, sheltered from everything but an easterly, which Isla San Jose, a mere four miles away, helps to mitigate.
Even the best anchorages, however, require proper technique and ongoing vigilance, as demonstrated by the unfortunate catamaran Vada Luine. On the night of February 27, the Bali 45 dragged her anchor and was driven onto the reef off Punta San Romualdo on the south side of the entrance to the bay. Vada Luine, operated by Dream Yacht Charters out of La Paz, had its port hull severely damaged, sinking onto the rocks and stranding the boat for four days.
Three days later, bedding and other debris were still washing up onto the beach in San Evaristo. A crew from Marina del Palmar in La Paz succeeded in floating the damaged hull late on the night of March 1, using a single float bag along with numerous 55-gallon poly drums and standard Mexican household Rotoplas water tanks. The following day they stabilized the craft enough to tow it back to La Paz.
A strong northerly was blowing the night the boat grounded, and the port captain in La Paz had the port closed the 26th and 27th. Most Baja anchorages are blessed with sand bottoms, so holding is generally good, but it is still important to use proper tackle and to let out appropriate scope (3:1 minimum, up to 6:1 if more spirited weather is expected).
In addition, all boats should use some sort of anchor watch. The severely budget-conscious may need to take bearings and keep checking visually, but anyone with a cell phone can get an anchor watch app. We prefer the Anchor Alarm app from w&h GmbH, as it is simple and free, and works without the screen’s being active.
Remember, there are only two types of sailors — those who have been aground and those who will be (or who lie about it, depending on the version). While there might be some perverse pleasure in witnessing the poor luck of a charter skipper, we should all be glad it wasn’t our beloved craft on the rocks, and take it as an example to continue to use care at any anchorage.
Amen ! As a pilot we say the same thing about gear up landings !
Better to recommend using anchor alarm on GPS. Does not rely on phone/wifi connection.
Yes, a dedicated anchor alarm is preferred. The recommendation was given to show that special electronics are not required and to urge those that may not have that feature to take advantage of the GPS that most of us carry on our phones. For the record that app does not require service so can be used in remote anchorages, as can multiple others, but be careful to get one that doesn’t have to be active on the screen to work.
Aside from learning good navigation skills, Anchoring is the most important. We traveled 6 years around the Pacific without GPS or weatherfax, and glad for the varied conditions we learned in Mexico.