Skip to content

Navy Boarding in Barra de Navidad

The Mexican Navy’s boarding parties have become decidedly casual — either that or this is just a group of friendly sailors stopping by for a cerveza.

© 2010 Lou Freeman

Lou Freeman of the San Diego-based Swan 51 Seabird reports a surprsingly delightful late-night ‘boarding’ last night by the Mexican Navy at the docks of Grand Bay Marina in Barra de Navidad. "My wife Marge and I, joined by Wytie and Sally Cable of the IP-420 Reality Check, returned to our dock after a late dinner to find three unlikely Mexican Navy boats tied up and the crews over-running the dock. They were coming from Acapulco and headed for Banderas Bay, but stopped here for a six-hour rest while their big gray escort ship waited out in the bay.

Three tricked-out Navy race boats on their way to MEXORC.

© 2010 Lou Freeman
The crews were professional and friendly — a credit to their country.

© 2010 Lou Freeman

"The boats were very impressive racers owned by the Mexican Navy and crewed by active duty officers and enlisted men. Their mission: MEXORC 2010. Cmdr. Carlos Acona was in charge of the group who, in spite of the fact that some of us drank and chatted until 2 a.m., were back underway for Banderas Bay at 5 a.m. I watched with awe as they woke up and departed in less than seven minutes.

After a hard sail — not to mention a few drinks with ‘Dr. Lou’ — the crews were ready to sack out in their luxurious accommodations.

© 2010 Lou Freeman

"These young men were friendly and fun-loving but quite professional, and very knowledgeable about politics and the world. Mexico and the Mexican Navy can be very proud of these young men and I certainly can relax even more as I sail in Mexican waters."

Racing Editor Rob Grant will be heading to P.V. this week to cover MEXORC — you’ll find his reports in future editions of ‘Lectronic Latitude and in the April issue of Latitude 38.

Leave a Comment




Los Gatos’ Bill Turpin and Southern California-based partner Dave Janes’ Bay Area-based R/P 77 Akela set new record in the San Diego YC’s Vallarta Race when it crossed the finish line off Punta Mita around 9 p.m.
For millennia, the wind has moved people from Point A to Point B, and on San Francisco Bay, we have an abundance of it for much of the year.