From distress to fiesta

    November Twelve 2013

Forty-seven miles from shore, one A.M. on our way to Magdalena Bay on watch with Don, I keep looking over my shoulder to make sure I have “Sparrows Point” lights in sight, thankful that they did not have to abandon their boat.

Earlier around eight P.M. with following seas, Sparrows Point, an Offshore 54, broadcasts that he is taking on water through the hatch on the swim step  causing the bilge pump to overheat, tripping its breaker. The captain is forced to let the water flow into the engine room so its bilge pump could start to expel the water. Some time later we hear "I don't know how much more water we can take...."

I start praying for them while Don asks for a lat & long when he realizes that Sparrows Point was right behind us.  SpringDay turns around to go offer assistance in case it is needed.  “Misty Sea” arrives before us and rigged up a patch kit, composed of a toilet seal ring wax that would arrest the ingress of sea water, he secures it to a float and tosses it in the path of Sparrows Point into the dark waters. SpringDay shined its search light on the precious orange package until retrieved with a  boat hook. Father and son team apply the wax into the hole(s) and continue to bail water out of the lazarette under the vigilant white beam of SpringDay. It works.

It was scary to see their boat aggressively rolling while idling, I felt so sorry for them. Back to calm spirits and calmer seas, the radio conversation between skippers revealed that they were prepared to get into their Zodiac and abandon ship.  Not something I ever want to witness.

Approaching Mag Bay, in just 90 or 100 feet of water close to shore, this goliath shows his (I presume) beautiful long life like a wedding ring after decades; closely behind two more whales, perhaps a Mom and teen ager following their leader.

 Operation Water Transfer at anchor, our dear sister Ana Mae had problems with her water maker, SpringDay would gladly lend a hose...

    Inside the bay, greeted by fishermen and pelicans

"The great Bahía Magdalena is not only the gate entrance to the Pacific, it is also a unique universe where men who are dedicated to exploit sea species live nomadically with their diverse habitat. It is a natural reserve of gray whales that arrive to its waters to fulfill their biological cycle during the months of January to March. The bay is 50 km long and the Islands of Magdalena and Margarita contribute with the counter coastline that protects it from the strong waves which characterize the Pacific Ocean.  A very beautiful coastline offers plenty of beaches, inlets, marshes and mangrove swamps that are the sanctuary of resident and migratory sea birds and its waters are rich in species for commercial and sports fishing."  

                                                                                       

  I could see pews disorderly placed outside the church and I could hear happy young voices echoing  from inside.

I was happy to see that those voices were those of young Magdalenos joyfully carrying on with their cleaning offering.

Magdalena Bay has 40 children and 200 adults.

All who were successful at catching fish brought their catch to the cook and a very elaborate feast (by a fishing village standard) was served.  

Linda dancing with the cook after the meal

This incredible sunset was a feast for my eyes, I didn't want it to end.

Nov 16 and 17

Arrival at San Jose del Cabo, a beautiful marina and town.  Population around 70,000.

Thinking of you...