Ecuador Rebuilding; Caraquez Marina Open

As regular readers know, in recent years Bahia de Caraquez, Ecuador, has become an important stopover point for international cruisers, many of whom  leave their boats in the secure marina there while they enjoy a stint of inland touring to such ‘bucket list’ sites as Machu Picchu and Cuzco, Peru.

As reported earlier, the area of Ecuador where this well-protected bay lies was rocked by a devastating 7.8-magnitude earthquake on April 16, followed by at least two smaller quakes and an untold number of aftershocks, which left the whole region looking like a war zone, with many citizens so rattled they were reportedly afraid to be inside buildings for weeks after the temblors.

But today there’s good news from Bahia Caraquez: Solo singlehander Jeff Hartjoy, who completed his nonstop lap around the planet there two weeks ago, reports: "We can already see the beginning of Bahia coming back with new construction occurring right behind the demolition of damaged buildings.   

"Puerto Amistad [marina] has reopened with a new owner, yet most of the old staff whom we like very much are still here. The good news is the cost of moorage has been reduced by almost $100 [per month] … the dinner meal costs have been reduced by $2 each, and the cost of a 22-oz. beer is just $2.

"Of course, Bahia has a long way to go to get housing for everyone, yet we believe it will all happen over the next 5 years. We also want cruisers to be aware that we feel it is very safe here, and security for boats left here while you return to US or Canada, or travel inland, is very good."