We arrive in Isla Mujeras about midday the following day, Wednesday.
Our progress is naturally slowed by the northerly flowing currents of
the Yucatan Channel and the lack of wind.
We enter Isla Mujeras from the north, around Punta Norte, which I
avoided two years ago as I didn’t think the passage through the reef was
deep enough. Either I now have
better charts, or just have more savvy, as the entry is very straight
forward.
The next morning we dinghy in to the
Capitania de Puerto. After a
cursory look at our papers, the
Capitania directs us to the main port of entry in
Cancun, about a 30 minute ferry ride away.
This is different. New
policy, we are told. And this
new policy creates a big headache for us.
Ferry Ride from Cancun to Isla Mujeras
Apparently, the US Homeland Security is now requiring all US vessels
departing the US
to have clearance papers from the Coast Guard.
This new procedure has not been shared with American boaters yet, but
Mexican officials have been asked to enforce it.
Just one month ago this became policy.
It took two days to waddle through this bureaucratic quagmire.
It amounted to me giving a deposition, which I had to sign, declaring
that I own this boat, am qualified to navigate it, and that I actually
departed from Key West even though I had no official documentation to show
that. What a pain!!
However, there is still time for Spencer and me to do some shopping,
swimming and snorkeling. Then on
Monday July 16th we take the ferry to Cancun, the bus to the International Airport
to meet Carmen first, who flew in from
Los Mochis, Mexico,
and two hours later son Russ, who
flew in from Seattle.
Back to the Sirius II
we go, which Spencer and I have relocated to
el Milagro Marina in Isla Mujeras
Harbor in order to better
accommodate the additional guests. The next day we have a delightful time swimming, sight
seeing and shopping.
On July 18th
we take time to celebrate Spencer’s birthday.
