Frutas del Mundo

Story and photos by Kevin Lock

Fishing Boats Crossing The Bar At Sunrise

(Editor's Note: Since we have a lively discussion going on in the RIo Dulce Forum about GPS coordinates for crossing the bar at Livingston, it seems timely to rerun Casey Brooks' article about "Running the Bar". Please read the discussion Here . If you have a boat with a draft of 6' or over and have different waypoints than those mentioned, please let us know.)

A few notes on the Rio Dulce entrance, Guatemala 

By CASEY BROOKS

   You want to cross an hour or even two before high tide. Check that you are on the right time, too. You want to err on the early side so you have time to fool around getting off before the tide falls.

   When I crossed the first time, “Retriever” was very heavy drawing 6’8”.  Since then a ton, literally, of tools and 25 years of cruising stuff has come off the boat and into my shop on the lower Golfete. Now she draws 6’6”, maybe 6’5”. 

The Rio Dulce boating community is asked to participate in a food, water and clothing drive for victims of the recent flooding in the Morales and Los Amates areas in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Agatha.

Agatha caused Rio Montagua to overflow its banks and caused widespread flooding and destruction of homes in the area 30 minutes away from the Rio Dulce.

Volunteers are not asking for money donations but for food (rice and beans), water and clothing.

 Rebecca Nicholls of Catamaran said the Rio Dulce lancheros have spearheaded a donation drive which Monday sent one truck filled with food, water and clothes.

Another truck will be leaving tomorrow at 8 a.m. from Farmacia Lux (next door to Litegua -- where you can purchase tickets for Linea Dorada heading to Guatemala City and Flores).

Rodger Hanks advised there is a spring by the highway to Morales at the top of the hill just past the old Texaco station which has very good water. He said it used to be the only option for good drinking water in the old days for cruisers.. All you need are containers and transportation.

For more information, contact Bec at  4414 6174 or the lancheros at 5056 7262 (Spanish) or drop donations off at Farmacia Lux.

Food, water and clothing donations can also be dropped off at Mario's Marina, Bruno's Marina, Tortugal, Hotel Vista Rio or with Roy or Jane on m/v Steel Magnolia at Nutria Marina. They can be reached at 5368 2331 or VHF Channel 68.

Guatemala has been declared a disaster area by President Colom due to the eruption of Volcano Pacaya and the destruction of Tropical Storm Agatha.

Maya Paradise website has reported that severe flooding is occurring in Morales at this time due to the Rio Motagua running well above flood stage.

It has destroyed the railroad bridge at El Rico near Los Amates. Approximately 284 homes have been damaged so far.

Flooding of the Motagua River has covered and blocked the Atlantic Highway at kilometer 180, between Gualan, Zacapa and Los Amates, Izabal.

Phillip Landmeier, publisher of Maya Paradise (www.mayaparadise.com), advises "If you have friends in Morales, you should call them and alert them to a serious flood hazard."

He reports that the Motagua River is well over flood stage in Gualan right now. The alert level is 2 meters and the river is flooding at 10 meters right now. That's higher than it reached during Hurricane Mitch.

That flood is heading down towards Morales and is a hazard to all communities along the course of the river.

"Pick up the phone and call your friends in Morales and make sure they know about it," Landmeier advises.

More information can be found on the Maya Paradise blog Here and the Rio Dulce Chisme-Vindicator Forum Here .

(Posted 10:36 p.m. May 29, 2010)

With the combination punch of the ash fallout of volcano Pacaya and the heavy rainfall of Tropical Storm Agatha, travel to Guatemala City from the Rio Dulce is considered risky, at best, for the next few days.

Please check out Rio Dulce Chisme-Vindicator Forum topics Here and Maya Paradise blog info Here .

Be safe.

Ileana of Xalaja, birthday girl Nubya of Las Mexicanas (pink sombrero) and Bec of Catamaran

 Sangria and birthday cake were served and the special of the day was paella.

 Happy Birthday, Nubya!

Swimmers cross Lago Izabal

 Participants were taken to Punta Lechuga by Capt. Martin on m/v Marvel Princess early Saturday morning where they began the 6 km swim to the beach at Castillo San Felipe.

Made it!

Strict safety measures were implemented with all swimmers accompanied by a kayak or lancha while the Navy Patrol kept the area clear of boat traffic.

Both male and female swimmers completed the course. Participants ranged in age from 25 to 80 years old.

A large crowd congratulated each swimmer

 The event was supported by the Inguat staff at Castillo San Felipe, EcoRio, the Navy Patrol, Bomberos of Fronteras and Coca Cola.

Participants ranged in age from 25 to 80 years old

And the Coca Cola girls were on hand to cheer the swimmers at the finish line

Pacaya erupting in 1976

La Aurora International airport has ceased all operations due to falling and debris on the runway. International flights are being diverted to San Salvador and domestic flights to Santa Elena Peten. ConRed has issued a code red alert for all residents of the Departments of Guatemala and Escuintla and residents are advised to remain in their homes.

Affected travelers are being advised to monitor the news on television or radio for the latest information and updates.

The U.S. Embassy in Guatemala will be closed on Friday, May 28 due to the eruption. The Embassy will also be closed on Monday, May 31 for an American Holiday.

More information can be found at www.prensalibre.com  

Prensa Libre reported that three persons were killed during the eruption and that President Colom has declared a state of disaster in Guatemala, Escuintla and Sacatepequez.

Before and after -- fuel passes through a 30 micron filter then a 10 micron filter

Working on anything while dead in the water and riding abeam to large waves isn’t fun, particularly with the knowledge that it could have been prevented.

Boaters in the Rio Dulce now have access to a fuel polishing service headquartered at Capt. John’s Marina.

Portable fuel polishing unit

Owned by John’s wife, Elvi, and operated by diesel mechanic Marvin, Rio Dulce Fuel Polishing Service can bring their equipment to your marina and, in a short time, clean your fuel and remove the sludge in the bottom of your tank.

Fuel is pumped through a 30 micron filter then a 10 micron filter. The fuel can be recirculated to the same tank or transferred to a different tank or to a barrel on shore.

Fuel is circulated back to the same tank or transferred to another tank

John said the equipment is capable of pumping 18 gallons a minute, depending upon the condition of the fuel and the filter. He uses two pressure gauges to keep track of the cleaning process.

Access to the fuel tank depends upon how a particular boat’s fuel system is configured,  Ideally, the tubing for the fuel polishing service can be dropped directly into the fuel fill of the tank. If that isn’t possible due to elbows in the piping or other obstructions, it might be necessary to connect via a fuel gauge sending unit or another location.

Elvi, Capt. John and Marvin

The equipment’s transfer pump requires 110 volt AC current. If that isn’t available at your dock, the team can bring along a portable generator.

Cost of the service is $50 an hour with a three hour minimum plus the cost of the filters which run about $15 each. Typically, a sailboat with a 40 to 80 gallon tank can be serviced in less than three hours.

Depending upon the condition of the fuel, most sailboats will need between 1 to 4 filters.

Marvin is an experienced diesel mechanic familiar with Yanmar, Perkins, Caterpillar and other engines and is available for additional mechanical work as needed.

Capt. John’s Marina also offers carpentry, mechanical, paint and varnish, electrical and electronic services.

Contact them at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it or call 5732 0219.