Isla Mujeres, Mx & Accidents Do Happen...

Jim goes off the to the hospital (photo by Gumby)

After the long crossing and very little sleep it was nice to get a few hours of consecutive rest at anchor in the Isla Mujeres harbor. We have some coffee and then begin the process of getting underway. As we tie lines and fenders, prepping for a tiny transit to the marina, Gumby and I hear a large splash on the starboard side of the boat. I look down from the deck surprised to see crew member Jim in the water below. Evidently, Jim was securing his stateroom porthole and the insect screen fell out into the water and he decided to chase after it...through the porthole...before it sank. After the splash and surprise, I see Jim swim to the stern of the boat and hear some exclamations as he attempts to exit the water. Again, evidently, Jim has filleted his ankle open on the metal frame around the porthole as he exited from hole to the water. This is NOT good. I look at his ankle and although there is very little blood there is also very little skin attached to his ankle any longer. Larry is very calm in assessing this situation and rinses Jim’s gash off, gets him seated and wrapped in a towel. He cleans the wound with hydrogen peroxide and wraps it best he can. We raise the Rocna anchor, which of course will not let go of its shovel-full of mud and grass, but we have to get going because it is blowing at least 15 knots and Larry can’t delay transit in the midst of the other anchored boats. Gumby and I fight the mud off the anchor and secure it, tie the lines and fenders and assist in the Captains’ maneuvering of the boat through the narrow channel and then the following confusion of finding our slip at the marina. Initially directed to one slip and then at the last minute redirected to a different one. Larry does an amazing job backing the boat into the slip. He has already alerted the marina (over the VHF) that we have a medical emergency and will need to get a crew member to the hospital. The marina officials are there at the dock to meet us but we have to go through immigration and customs (and agriculture) as we are arriving from a foreign port. The officials are very nice and it is decided that once the general papers are done they can take Jim to the hospital, but just Jim, and no one else. He gets wheeled-off and we continue the paperwork and boat inspections. After we are legally in the county we raise our Mexican courtesy flag and Larry goes to fetch Jim. He is doing well and has received 24 stitches, a very nice looking bandage and some antibiotics and pain meds...all for $15.00 dollars (however he made a very nice donation to the hospital). We leave JIm by the pool bar and wash the boat and finish the paperwork then join Jim for a drink. Appropriately, we all ordered what Jim was drinking...‘PainKillers’.

Post accident with ‘PainKillers’ in hand, we all feel better

Perhaps the lobsters don’t feel so lucky

We have dinner in town that evening and celebrate Jim’s last night on the boat. What a trooper, never one complaint after all he went through, just smiles, thank yous and thumbs up. After a mini golf cart tour the next afternoon Jim gets on the ferry to Cancun to fly home. Gumby, Larry and I finish the tour of the beaches to the north and then go the short distance to Punta Sur (5 miles) and walk to the tip of the island. We enjoy a few more beaches and find the friendliest bar, at of all places, Playa Tiburon. Great friends were made, great burritos were eaten and few Don Julio’s consumed. Again, we have another crew member change as Gumby departs and Chris Adams returns to the Independence for his third tour of duty.

Did I mention this happened too? A water leak developed from behind the refrigerator and so we had to pull it out again. It turns out the water line had been placed next to a condenser line, causing it to melt and split. Larry & Steve replaced t… — Did I mention this happened too? A water leak developed from behind the refrigerator and so we had to pull it out again. It turns out the water line had been placed next to a condenser line, causing it to melt and split. Larry & Steve replaced the line and hopefully it will last.

The water ran under the refrigerator and the smallest person on board got to climb into the little hole and clean it up with a sponge and a bowl.

Time for fun. We rent a golf cart and tour the Island

The murals of Isla Mujeres…Island of Women

The beaches on the east side of the island are spectacular

At Punta Sur the southern most tip of the island looking east

The south point looking back to the northwest

Another sweet spot to quench your thirst

We found our favorite beach bar. Coincidentally, it has the same name as the city we live in in Marin County, California

Larry swaps shirts with his new amigo and bar tender, Jose Lopez

Nice view from Playa Tiburon’s bar swings (they don’t use stools)

Colorful Lucha Libre Luchador Masks for sale on Hidalgo Street

Hidalgo Street, in the center of town, is the place to shop, dine and listen to live music

We take Chris to Playa Tiburon. He couldn’t miss our favorite place on the island