Funky Clearing Games

Over the last year or so, we’ve gotten several reports of cruisers having to pay big bucks to: 1) Use an agent; and 2) Clear out of Puerto Madero, which is at the very southeastern tip of mainland Mexico. Based on those reports, it was unclear if it was a scam or if local officials were coming up with a unique interpretation of the laws.

In any event, John Thompson —  who, along with Rick Canter, was crewing aboard Tom Marlow’s Sunnyvale-based Freedom 39 Ketch 22 — reports they had the same problem early in January. Having cleared out of Mexico at Huatulco, then crossed the Gulf of Tehauntepec, they stopped at Puerto Madero, 12 miles shy of the border with Guatemala, to buy diesel.

"A man showed up at the fuel dock, identified himself as a ship’s agent, and told us that we needed to hire him to check in with the port captain, and pay the port tax."

About two years ago, Mexico passed a law that recreational mariners didn’t need to use ship’s agents.

"We weren’t sure whether he was just trying to scare us to try to get money, or if it was really necessary," Thompson continues, "but we hired him. Tom and I spent about an hour and $28 driving to the port captain’s office and harbor office. This turned out to be cheap compared to what happened to another boat we met. The agent wanted $200 for helping them to get a zarpe!"

While Marlow and Thompson were gone, Canter had to host the crew of a military drug inspection boat and their dog. "The inspectors wanted to review the boat’s paperwork and complete a long form, but all the paperwork was with Tom and me while we were going to the various offices. Rick told the officers that we would call them on the radio when Tom returned with the paperwork."

That’s when frustration set in. "We got so aggravated with the all the useless paperwork that when Tom and I got back to the boat, we decided to just skip out on finishing the inspection and make a run for the border. So we cranked up the motor, getting six knots out of the boat, and motored out the long harbor entrance. Once clear, we set a course straight for Guatemala. For the next two hours we kept looking back, expecting to see a military boat racing after us. We were relieved when we finally crossed over into Guatemalan waters."

We’re not sure we’d recommend skipping out on anybody, but we sure wouldn’t try it on a drug interdiction team. After all, they’ve got fast boats, guns, and are used to dealing harshly with people.

If you’ve stopped at Puerto Madero recently, we’d like to hear about your experience. If you’re nearing that area, you might want to give it a pass.