Monday November 29, 2021
Coronado Yacht Club, San Diego, California, USA
Bluewater is ENROUTE south to México!
Leg 10
Departure Time: 1338 (aka 1:38pm PST) Monday November 29, 2021
Departure from: Coronado Yacht Club, San Diego, California, USA
4 souls aboard
Lawrence Kerver
Gloria Vilchez
Andrew McMullin
Ryan Bernhardt
Destination: Ensenada, Baja California, México
Estimated Distance: 70nm give or take (just a guess!)
Estimated Time enroute: 18 hours give or take (another guess!)
Enroute Conditions: Per Lawrence at 7pm PST: Thicker than pea soup fog; up to my eyeballs. Look at the mariners warning
MARINE WEATHER STATEMENT
National Weather Service SAN DIEGO CA 1251 PM PST Mon Nov 29 2021 PZZ750-775-300615- Coastal Waters from San Mateo Point to the Mexican Border and out to 30 nm- Waters from San Mateo point to the Mexican Border Extending 30 to 60 nm out including San Clemente Island- 1251 PM PST Mon Nov 29 2021 Areas of dense fog this with visibility 1 NM or less will become more widespread this evening and overnight across the coastal waters. Fog is expected to impact coastal waters, beaches, and harbors through Tuesday morning. Visibility is expected to improve Tuesday morning. Mariners should reduce speeds and be on the lookout for exposed rocks and other vessels, including large ships in the shipping lanes. Use radar or GPS navigation if available, and consider remaining in harbor if such equipment is unavailable.
(Yes they have radar and GPS navigation equipment)
Marine Weather Map for Reference San Clemente Island is shown but not labeled I'm never sure where San Mateo Point is - that's why I looked it up! |
Ryan manning the grill with a mighty fine looking breakfast CYC dock, Glorietta Bay, San Diego |
Starboard hull looking fwd from galley Must be Andrew's bunk |
Gloria on the dock in front of Bluewater Coronado Yacht Club dock, Glorietta Bay |
Gloria on the aft bench departing San Diego Looks like the Coronado Bridge is behind her |
General map of San Diego Harbor Bluewater departed CYC dock, Glorietta Bay 1:38pm PST and stopped for lunch at the Bali Hai Restaurant, Shelter Island |
By now you know that I extrapolate some information from Bluewater's travels. Based on texts and photos (with time stamps) from the crew and Lawrence's eventual CRUISING Log, I surmised that they departed from the CYC dock, Glorietta Bay, San Diego at 1:38pm PST. Then they traveled in Bluewater and had lunch at the Bali Hai Restaurant, a chic Polynesian establishment with a dock! located on the northern tip of Shelter Island. From there, they walked to town, purchased a full set of charts to Baja, Sea of Cortez to Mazatlán. Then they departed San Diego at 4:30pm PST.
Sunset enroute, San Diego |
Ryan and Andrew at sunset, San Diego |
Lawrence labeled this foggy photo: "Last view of USA" |
Navigational Charts |
Gloria sleeping in the salon |
Tuesday November 30, 2021
All Saints Bay, Ensenada, México
After sailing through the night in dense, dense fog, Bluewater and crew arrived safely in All Saints Bay where they successfully entered México via Ensenada and secured Visas. Eventually, they even got dock space!
Just before 6am: Appears to be a cruise ship |
Just after 6am |
7:33am |
8:05am |
8:54am Yellow Q Flag up |
Here is stuff I looked up:
International Code Flag "Q" is flown when entering a foreign port (except Canada and a few others) or when returning to a U.S. port from a foreign cruise. It signals to customs and immigration officials that you request clearance. Take it down and replace it with a courtesy flag after formalities are complete.
The "Quebec" signal flag, called the "Yellow Jack", is a simple yellow flag that was historically used to signify a vessel was, or might be, harboring a dangerous disease and needed to be quarantined (it stands for "Q"). However, in modern usage, the flag indicates the opposite, signaling: "My vessel is healthy and I request free pratique".
8:56am Obstacle to the left; cruise ship to the right |
Obstacle |
Here is a video with Lawrence narrating the entrance to Ensenada, Andrew's on the helm.
Around 9am Gloria on the bow in the port pulpit |
Ryan on the bow near the starboard pulpit |
Andrew and a huge cruise ship |
Lawrence texted at 10:28am: Arrived Ensenada Marina Baja Naval. Waiting for doctor to arrive to provide clearance to leave the boat.
10:50am Paperwork Time! |
Text from Lawrence just after 1:30pm:
Secretary of Government Immigration
Port Captain
Aduana Ensenada
Banjercito
Medical doctors
We should be good for 180 days. Yeehaw!
12:48pm Lawrence and Gloria in Ensenada - Lookin' good! Nice sign |
2:00pm Lawrence's CRUISING Log; San Diego to Ensenada, México |
Bluewater docked in Ensenada Lawrence texted: Q flag down, Mexico courtesy flag up |