With nearly wind still weather we sailed into the Bahia de Banderas towards Puerto Vallarta. About 30 years ago when the cruise ships started to frequent the port, you simply sailed in until you almost hit the land and then you tried to figure out where the entrance was. There were hardly any buildings or other construction that would indicate the existence of the town. So it was always a sort of puzzle to find the small harbor entrance. Then through the years the building boom started and, what was handy for us, was the construction of two high rises right behind the low building of the flea market. Those high rises had red lights on the tops, to warn aircraft off and that made them ideal bacons for us to approach the port. Then port got more sophisticated with better entrance buoys and later on even a leading light and then we were really in business. However the construction boom continued and now there are so many buildings that we cannot see the port entrance anymore. So we are basically back to square one, if it were not for the vastly improved radar equipment of the modern days. With chart overlay and a very clear picture display we can now sail for the port on the radar until we are close enough to see the outline of the port entrance.
However as we approached we could not find the leading lights, which are two lights above each other and when in line they indicate the middle of the approach channel. Not that much of a problem in principle because as long as you stay between the channel buoys you are in good shape as well but every aid to navigation is appreciated and used where possible. But they were not there and thus we were puzzled. So we awaited the pilot who proudly announced that the port had installed a sector light instead of the leading lights. That had been done in early summer but the announcement had not reached the sailing community yet.
A sector light is a bright light, of which the 360o arc is divided in several colors. Here in Puerto Vallarta they had created three main sectors that covered the entrance of the port. If you see green you are inside the buoys but on the green-buoy side, if you see red, then you are inside the buoys but on the red buoy side and if you see white, then you are exactly in the middle of the fairway. The light is so strong that it casts a long white line over the fairway anyway, so if you keep the bow in the white colored water than you are in good shape as well.
So I made sure that we stayed in good shape and slowly sailed into the harbor; which is nothing else than a semi circular pond with cruise ship docks on three sides and a marina on the fourth side. We were the only ship in port and thus assigned berth one. For that one I prefer to back in as the turn towards the dock is much shorter. However with this new sector light ablaze in front of us, and now being the pilot’s favorite toy, we had to go bow in and then when inside the harbor swing the stern to the East and bring the bow to the dock. Both ways work well, the latter just takes a bit longer.
Aireal view of the port of Puerto Vallarta with berth no 1. occupied. Berth 2 is to the left and berth 3to the lower side of the harbour. The marina can be seen to the right.
Our ship was happily received by the local shop people, even if it was a Sunday, as also Puerto Vallarta is suffering from a big down turn in the tourist business. There are even less cruise ships then in the past. Some of the regulars here from RCI have now moved to Europe and thus they have only two weekly callers here, thus ships like the Statendam who come in on Panama Canal cruises and are thus much less frequent are really appreciated.
Sailing out of the port is a very quick affair, as the end of berth 1 forms the beginning of the fairway, which is not much longer than the length of the ship. So we were out within five minutes and sailed westward through the Bahia de Banderas again. Tomorrow we will spend a day at sea while we sail along the west coast of Mexico until we come to our next Port Huatalco.
There is no change in the weather expected, so it will remain sunny and warm with very little wind.
October 3, 2011 at 8:07 pm
Just discovered your blog and plan to read your daily comments. Thank you for taking the time to inform us of your life aboard the ship. We will be sailing for the first time on the Statendam March 2. This will also be our first Panama Canal crossing.
October 3, 2011 at 9:48 pm
We will be sailing with you on the round trip from Fort Lauderdale in early March. We also were with you on the Mediternnean cruise earlier this year with stops in Egypt & Israel. We have a question regarding the Fort Lauderdale – San Diego cruise for next March. How is security – we read so much of troubles in Mexico and we are concerned. With reasonable care, is it safe to visit the local shops and participate in day tours during stops in Mexico?
October 9, 2011 at 9:16 am
Our favorite place to stay in winter for a longer period and escape the dutch winter.
Indeed Vallarta has grown very much over the years.
It is one of those few places in Mexico that still is safe to travel and stay, with lots of friendly people. Not everybody realises that unfortunately. Just hope ships will come back more foten.
Hope to see Statendam again this winter while in port.
October 9, 2011 at 9:22 am
May I command to Wayneé question re safety in Mexico.
Yes you can absolutely go ashore, visit places, do shopping etc. without any problems in Puerto Vallarta and also in Cabo San Lucas.
Just take precautions like you would any place else in the world.