Megayacht VIXIT On the Rocks in Mexico

Mexico’s Sea of Cortez is within the boating highlight once more, this time with information that the 173-ft megayacht VIXIT has run aground on rocks roughly 5 miles southeast of Puerto Escondido, close to the fishing village of Ligüí. Reviews point out the yacht is holed in three locations and, whether it is refloated, would require a tow to Mazatlán, which is the closest location that would deal with the required repairs. The grounding occurred on Monday afternoon throughout a transit from Loreto to La Paz with 15 passengers onboard, although it’s unclear if that quantity is solely company or company and crew.

At this stage we perceive that the top rocks, which lie roughly three toes beneath the floor, are identified within the space and are proven on many charts as Piedras del Camaroncito (Little Shrimp Rocks).

The rocks lie inside the Loreto Bay Nationwide Park, and because the climate was initially calm, round 50% of the diesel was in a position to be pumped out earlier than rising winds halted the operation. There have been no stories of diesel leaking into the ocean throughout or after the accident, however authorities are persevering with to watch the vessel.

We spoke with marine surveyor and yacht dealer Captain Jim Elfers, former harbormaster at Puerto Los Cabos, who supplied a lot of the information above and helped us translate the information from Spanish. He shared his considerations about boating within the Sea of Cortez. Elfers has navigated the waters many occasions as captain of vessels as much as 110-ft, and urges mariners to be vigilant. “Until wind waves are current a shallow reef within the Sea of Cortez is not going to present the telltale whitewater that almost all reefs do. It’s potential to go from deep water to a couple toes in simply seconds with no visible cues. Test all accessible charts and use warning always.” (You possibly can study extra about crusing in Mexico and doing the Baja Bash from Elfer’s guide: Baja Bash II)

The steel-hulled VIXIT was constructed by Swedeship in 1988. She has a 10-ft draft, relying on tank masses, and has a cruising velocity of 14 knots. Her precise location will be seen on Marine Visitors.