A cruising yacht with experienced crew on board has been lost while attempting to cross the notoriously dangerous bar at Bahia del Sol in El Salvador. They were under the guidance of the recommended pilot boat at the time.

Published 8 months ago

Yacht Wrecked at Bahia del Sol

S/V Rum Truffle, a UK flagged Moody 49 belonging to long-standing and well known OCC members Mark and Gina Thurlow, was wrecked when it ran aground entering Bahia del Sol, El Salvador recently.

Bahia del Sol is located in an estuary on the Costa de Sol peninsula, midway along the El Salvador coast. The Costa de Sol peninsula is about 15km long with a sandy beach on the outside and Estero de Jaltepeque on the inside. There is a sandbar at the entrance of the estuary which can be dangerous and can only be navigated at high tide. Entry should not be attempted without a pilot, arranged via the Bahia Del Sol Hotel.

S/V Rum Truffle had followed all the rules and was operating under the instruction of a paid pilot when the incident occurred.

Unfortunately S/V Rum Truffle was unable to be saved and as soon as the crew were safely recovered by the pilot boat the yacht was then stripped of everything that could be removed or unbolted. The looting was not prevented by the local authorities.

According to information posted on cruiser forums, “conditions were clear weather with a 2.6-foot swell from the south and 12-13 knots of wind. According to the hotel/management (who employs the pilot), the entrance channel has been measured at 12-feet deep. Rum Truffle draws 6-1/2 feet. The management states the pilot mis-read the wave set and a pair of unusually large waves pooped Rum Truffle and caused her to broach, then go hard aground. Management further states this is not uncommon, though a successive wave has always lifted the vessel so it can continue. Indeed, another mono/sailboat earlier in the day (on which the incident occured) grounded/broached (owner reported spreaders in the water), but was freed by a successive wave.

The pilot – a panga – carries no GPS, no depth sounder and no towing gear, so was unable to assist in the possible extraction of Rum Truffle. Her keel broke away and she was eventually washed ashore.”

S/V Rum Truffle was part of the Panama Posse, a Central America cruising rally, that is now warning against entering this port.

In their latest newsletter they state the following:

“Do not enter the estuary under any circumstances, the risks are too high, you could lose your vessel! Until the following items are met, do not enter:

• An Accident Report;
• Dredging and re-dredging schedules;
• Written pilot vessel procedures;
• Channel markers;
• Validated and updated GPS Co-ordinates;
• Clear roles and responsibilities;
• Standardization and consistency;
• Know depth throughout the entrance;
• Emergency procedures;
• Communications protocol.”

More information can be found at the following links:

• OCC Member’s boat lost at Bahia del Sol (Ocean Cruising Club)
• Moody 49 Lost on bar at Bahia del Sol, El Salvador (Cruisers Forum)
• Loss of SV Rum Truffle at Bahia del Sol (Trawlers Forum)
• Rum Truffle Wrecked then Stripped (Go Fund Me page)

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Noonsite has not independently verified this information.

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