Baja Ha-Ha Updates Part 2— More To Know Before You Go
When we gave you Part One of Baja Ha-Ha Updates — Things To Know Before You Go, there were 124 paid entries in this cruisers’ rally to Mexico. Now, a week later, that number is 128, with Josh and Natasha Grillo from San Diego, aboard the Beneteau Oceanis 45 Wilder, being the latest to join the fleet. Are they sailing with kids aboard? We don’t know, but according to the Grand Poobah’s updates, if they do, there’ll be a good number of junior sailors for them to connect with.
The Kids’ Ha-Ha?
It currently looks as though there will be 25 kids (under age 16) on the Ha-Ha. This would be an all-time record. One mom insists her 17- and 18-year-old are really kids, so maybe there will be 27 kids.
Kids have gotten a jump on the Ha-Ha fun, as it’s the Poobah’s understanding that Katie and David Levy of the Corona del Mar-based CSY Stargazer, along with daughters Emily, 12, and Harper, 9, have organized a FaceTime session every Monday night for the kids and families. How cool is that?
The Coast Guard’s Search and Rescue “A Team” will be at the Last Cheeseburger in Paradise Kick-Off Party on November 3
We’re talking about Douglas Samp, the SAR (Search and Rescue) manager for the entire Pacific. Also attending are Lauren Cefali, SAR program manager for District Eleven — which encompasses the states of California, Arizona, Nevada, and Utah, the coastal and offshore waters out over a thousand miles, and the offshore waters of Mexico and Central America down to South America — and hopefully, Captain Patrick Dill, who is the San Diego-based chief of incident management for District Eleven.
These great friends of the Ha-Ha really know their stuff. Samp, in fact, was on duty at the Alameda headquarters about 15 years ago when a Ha-Ha boat rapidly sank after colliding with a whale. Thanks to the preparation of the boat, the skill of Capt. Eugenie Russell and the boat’s crew, and the Coast Guard base and helicopter crew, a “textbook” rescue was effected.
These Coast Guard experts will be on hand to tell you which form of emergency communication they recommend, how soon you should contact them if there is a potential problem, what resources they have at their disposal, and how the various SAR communications systems work. They can also tell you how closely they work with the great folks in the Mexican navy. It’s our understanding that our SAR friends are putting together a handout listing what numbers to call if you have an emergency, be it a fire, sinking, medical issue, or UFO sighting.
For the last couple of years, the Mexican navy has been running the ports.
Being military, they are sometimes more strict than some former port captains were. For example, when getting ready to leave La Cruz for Ensenada in the next week, Doña de Mallorca was told that the navy would need to inspect Profligate before she leaves, to make sure she is safe. Mind you, this is for a domestic rather than international clearance. This has never been required before, and we’ve taken our boats to Mexico almost every year since 1981. In addition, the port captain is asking for a signed copy of some form that says we’ll be responsible if we damage anything. What form? So if you haven’t been to Mexico in a few years, be forewarned that things might be a little stickier at some ports.
Last Cheeseburger in Paradise and Costume Kick-Off Party.
People have asked if it’s possible for “outsiders” to attend the Last Cheeseburger in Paradise Costume and Kick-Off Party at the West Marine Store in San Diego on November 3, the day before the start of the Ha-Ha. Yes, everybody is welcome. Skippers and first mates of entered boats get in free. There is a $12 entry fee for all others. Lunch consists of salad, burgers, beans, pie and whipped cream! Limited amounts of wine and beer are free for those of age. Lunch is served until 3:00 p.m.
Apple iMessage via Satellite will not work offshore in Mexican waters.
Apple has a new deal where folks with an iPhone 14, or later, and IOS 18 can send iMessages via satellite, meaning you don’t need cellular or Wi-Fi coverage. But — and it’s a Kardashian-sized but — this only works in the United States and Canada, and only a few miles offshore. Several people have told the Assistant Poobah they plan to use this method of communication for offshore check-ins. It’s NOT going to work.
Signing up for the Baja Ha-Ha.
As we shared last week, the official deadline was September 4, two months before the start of the Ha-Ha. Because the Poobah hasn’t wanted to exclude anyone, in the past he’s allowed skippers to sign up as late as a day before the start. “But those were the good old days, when life was simple.”
Now, if anyone wants to sign up, they may have to start from, or stop in, Ensenada on the way.
“To check into the country with our agent in Bahia Santa Maria, all documents must be in by October 11. In some special circumstances, passport copies and the TIP may be submitted right up until the day we leave, with prior approval.”
For more information or to sign up for the 30th Baja Ha-Ha, go to baja-haha.com.