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.

Jungle Medic Bryan Buchanan with a dental patient

The nurses and students are from Georgia in the US of A and were glad to be helping the locals.  People came from the 4 villages in the area, Boca Ancha, Pueblo Nuevo, Punta Brava, and Rio Banco -- some by lancha and cayuco, some by foot and a few on the new road to Punta Brava. 

Loading up in Denny's Beach tibo

 
Health complaints were heard, parasite medecine, antibiotics, pain relievers, etc. were given without hesitation to over 200 patients.  They later lunched at the beach and all had a swim or kayak ride. 
Bryan was looking a little tired and I later found out that they had seen 800 people the day before and shortly after arriving at his clinic in San Felipe jumped in his ambulance and made an emergency trip to Morales to help someone out. 

You have to admire this guy.  I met him when he first came here and he was basically working from day to day with little support.  He now has a fine clinic on the hillside overlooking Lake Izabal and cares for many people there.  When all else fails, give him a call.  You can count on this man to give a helping hand, especially to the poor and needy.

Another day comes to an end

A couple of years ago Bryan brought a crew of dentists to Denny's Beach and was pleasantly surprised to see the turnout.  The line of dental patients at one time stretched from the Board Room, down the entire dock, and onto the beach. 

Take a good look at the close-up of the steely-eyed fellow about to do another extraction.  His name is Bryan, and he seems to be enjoying it a little bit too much, don't you think?

In closing, I would like to thank all the volunteers that devote their time and efforts in helping the people of this country.  I always hear the phrase, which was coined many years ago, "Winning hearts and minds."  What better way for the citizens of the US to help change the sometimes negative opinions expressed by the Guatemalans than to come down here and participate in one of the "Jungle Medic's" famous clinics. 

Finishing up after 200 patients

I think that everyone gains from this, so if you are in the mood to give a helping hand, this man will put your donation of labor to work in a very good way. 

The school here in the village is in need of help also as it has always been cut off and sometimes forgotten by the powers that be.

 Read more about Jungle Medic Missions Here.

Weekly service from Miami

Jose Guzman, owner of Transcargo in Guatemala City, said they now offer a guaranteed weekly consolidated cargo service from Miami.

"We handle all of the customs requirements, paperwork and out and in transportation," he explained.

Batteries

Guzman specializes in boat parts and boat supplies.

Contact him for specific needs.

He speaks excellent English and is knowledgeable about sailboats, power boats and offshore fishing boats.

Boaters can order parts from West Marine, Port Supply, Lewis Supply and well as many other suppliers and arrange them to be shipped via Transcargo.

Depending upon your requirements, shipments can be made directly to your marina and to your boat, Guzman noted.

Expoxy, paint and resins

Contact him at 502 2360-0407 or email him at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Engine parts as well as entire engines