Passage To Roatan

The memories from last Christmas season came flooding back during our brief return visit to Providencia. Providencia is a very special place to us and to most cruisers who stop there. Very few people find their way to Providencia, so it remains very much an unspoiled island community. We quickly got back into the Christmas spirit as they have music and organized activities going on almost every evening. It was wonderful to see people we met last year and to see familiar faces, and to see the recognition on their faces as they recognized us. We rented a mule for the day. It is a golf cart-sized utility vehicle. We used it to haul our jerry cans with diesel, but also to tour the island one last time.

A really good weather window came up, so we had to go on. Staying any longer for another window could have meant staying several weeks, and while that would be very agreeable with us, it was not in our plans.

Forward 911

Our first day out of Providencia, well off the coast of Nicaragua, the US Coast Guard ship Forward 911 came by to check us out. We first spotted them on the far horizon and watched as they made their way to our location, approaching from our starboard. We had previously heard them on the radio with Chantey V, a Canadian boat we were traveling with, but which was several miles ahead of us, so not visible. I hailed 911 as they approached to identify ourselves, and they had a few questions for us, which they spread out over about half an hour. They trailed behind us during this time, and then we saw them veer off to the right and guessed they were putting a launch in the water out of sight from us. Sure enough, they next announced we were to be boarded, and immediately their launch came around the stern of 911. The launch had eight persons aboard, of whom four came aboard for a safety inspection and a search. They were all very cordial and friendly, and we enjoyed their company. We do not mind boardings (this is our second) and appreciate all the Coast Guard does for mariners. It also gave us reassurance that they were in the vicinity of the coast of Nicaragua, which is one of the least safe places.

Our three-day, three-night trip could not have been better. The seas were fairly calm, and the sailing was good. Last night, the wind was directly behind us and very strong, so our issue was keeping the boat speed down. We arrived at 7am at French Cay Harbor right on our planned schedule.

French Cay Harbor is the place to be again for cruisers on Roatan. A new place, Brooksy Point Yacht Club, opened last Christmas as a cruisers club. It is a nice facility, and for a club fee of $15 per week, they have everything we could want, including WiFi, showers, Sky TV, coin laundry, a gathering place, and much more. It was set up by Mike, a cruiser who had to give it up for health reasons. We are almost tempted to stay here awhile, but we think we will keep pushing on, weather depending.