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Explosion and fire destroys
30-ft. boat at town ramp
Crew member suffers severe burns
By Staff
A 23-year-old crewman on a 30-foot private boat suffered first and third degree burns over 45 percent of his body Friday when gas fumes in the bilge ignited into an explosion and fire that lasted nearly two hours.
Early reports noted the crew was attempting to launch the boat at the Puerto Aventuras ramp on Bahia Xcacel when the crew noticed the bilge pump was emitting petrol rather than water and attempted to disconnect the batteries, inadvertently creating a spark that ignited the fumes. A crowd had gathered by the time firefighters arrived about 15 minutes later and as the boat became fully engulfed in flames and thick smoke.l
There were unconfirmed reports that firefighters, believed to have come from Chemuyil near Akumal, arrived with only 40 gallons of water in their tank truck and had forgotten to bring a pump to use local water.
The boat, “Spirit of Juliana” was powered by two 250-horse outboards and is reportedly owned by Azael Martin. The vessel’s estimated value was reported at around a million pesos.
A black cloud hung over a row of condos looking as though a bomb had been dropped in the area while flames licked fiercely at the fiberglass hull and its accessories. Firefighters had trouble dousing the flames because the boat was carrying an estimated 300 liters of gasoline..
The fire started at about 12.30 p.m. as startled tourists were walking by the boat ramp and was under control by about 2:20 p.m. Colonos officials arrived at the scene to assist and called for four Colonos employees to work overtime to clean the mess on the public roadway left by the badly damaged vessel. (More below)
Aventuras Club residents, staff
join hands to save a young life
Tragic accident elicits profound empathy
By Staff
Snowbird fractional owners and local staff of the Aventuras Club joined hands and hearts shortly after noon last Friday in sustaining the life of a young boat crewman who suffered first and third degree burns over 45 percent or more of his body in a tragic boat fire. (See above story)
A group of Aventuras Club residents was sitting by the pool along the marina near the launch ramp when Mike Kilgar of Canada smelled “plastic burning. I’d been to boat fires before so I recognized it for what it was.” Others around the pool noticed black smoke rising from near the launch ramp. The group hurried out to the street and instinctively reacted swiftly to what they saw.
The burn victim had been placed in a golf cart and was not receiving primary medical attention, asking instead to be taken home. Kilgar, who worked for the Bell Co. in Canada and is well-versed in first aid, and Ron Habib, a former nurse and paramedic from Pennsylvania, USA -along with their wives and other owners – knew what to do
“We need water, towels, ice, scissors,” Habib and Kilgar ordered after a quick assessment of the victim who, they said, appeared to be in or near shock. The spouses, staff and others anxious to help the suffering burn victim scrambled for the items inside the Aventuras Club and quickly returned with staff members carrying the primary necessities of burn treatment to prevent the burn from spreading. Habib and Kilgar, meanwhile, talked to the victim, later identified as Alejandro Estrella, 23, of Playa del Carmen, to assure him they were there to help. “He told us he just wanted to go home and that his wife would take care of him,” Kilgar and Habib recalled. “He was in no condition to do that.”
When the treatment items arrived, “We cut away some of his shirt and it was then we saw the extent of the damage. There were large, rolling welts that, if left unattended, could continue burning into the skin and result in potential life-threatening infection,” Habib and Kilgar said. As the two men prepared to administer treatment over the welts and other parts of Estrella’s burned body, including his feet, they quoted Estrella as saying, “I’m in so much pain I just want to cry.” Kilgar said. “We told him it was going to hurt more when we applied the towels and water, so to go ahead and cry. But he didn’t,” Kilgar said. “He’s a strong young man,” the men noted in deepening affinity for his courageous demeanor.
When the Aventuras Club staffers first heard of the accident, they had immediately called for the ambulance, Kilgar said as he and Habib bemoaned the response time of about 30 minutes by the private “Life” ambulance dispatched from Playa del Carmen. It is a far cry from response time standards in the U.S. and Canada, the men said. “This is a classic example of why Puerto Aventuras needs the return of the Red Cross ambulance and clinic,” they said. “A 20-minute difference in response time can mean life or death to an elderly person suffering from a heart attack or other serious health problem.” They noted that in the northern countries Estrella would have been taken by helicopter immediately to a specialized burn-center hospital.
As the boat spewed flames and smoke, and a crowd in excess of 100 picture-taking onlookers formed, the Aventuras group continued treatment for the estimated 27 minutes it took the ambulance paramedics to arrive and assume control of the medical situation on their way to the General Hospital in Playa del Carmen. “We used 25 towels, five bed-sheets and many pitchers of water,” said Terry Quinlan, one of the group, all of whose members complimented the Aventuras Club staff for its efficiency and response.
But there is more to this tale of humane reaction to emergencies.
Kilgar wondered if fate played a role in the incident. “It was my 65th birthday on Friday,” he said,” and we had planned a trip to Tulum that day but ended up with car trouble. So we were here to respond,” he said contemplatively. Perhaps that’s what fate intended.
The story doesn’t end there either. Habib, Kilgar and the crew were so taken by Estrella’s bravery and painful circumstance, that it elicited a profound measure of empathy for him and his wife, daughter and parents. Accordingly, the next day, Saturday, the group planned a fund-raiser at Latitude 20 Restaurant, notifying some 42 Aventuras Club residents who responded. “There were other people at the restaurant too,” Kilgar said, “so when I announced why we were there, they gave freely as we passed the hat for donations.”
The next day, after confirming where Estrella had been taken, Habib and Kilgar visited the hospital with a contribution of 10,000 pesos, which they delivered to his wife. “They allowed us to visit him, but we had to wear masks, gowns and gloves to be near him briefly,” Habib and Kilgar said. “The first thing he said to us was ‘thank you for saving my life.’”
Habib said that with good care, Estrella may be facing at least three months of recuperation. “He has first and third degree burns. He was barefooted and the burns to his feet were third degree.”
As to Habib and Kilgar, they said they only did what they were trained to do and expressed a deep respect for friends and staff who helped and the generosity of donors.
Red Cross station in PA
remains out of service
Akumal activists hope to keep ambulance
By Staff
The new Red Cross regional facility in Playa del Carmen held a second inauguration of its new headquarters yesterday to publicize receipt of $500,000 in equipment from the International Rotary Club and distribution of same to other local agencies. Meanwhile, the Puerto Aventuras clinic and ambulance service in the Poblado, which is under the Playa del Carmen Red Cross jurisdiction, remains closed as of yesterday ostensibly for a lack of operating funds as worried Akumalians seek donations to keep a Red Cross ambulance stationed in that community.
Residents of the Puerto Aventuras Poblado, resort and Puerto Maya have decried the closing of the local Red Cross clinic. They claim it provided the best option for poor residents to attain health and ambulance services at affordable prices without having to spend a minimum 250 pesos for a taxi to Playa del Carmen for primary and emergency medical care and transport. Response time is an issue with resort residents who proved their point Friday in the wake of a boat fire. (See above story)
A critically burned man in Friday’s boat fire had to wait 27 minutes for an ambulance to arrive from Playa del Carmen, according to sources at the scene. (See above story)
Akumalians react
In a public letter to the Pelican Free Press, activists in Akumal have appealed for added funding from the Tulum District to sustain the Akumal ambulance and its crew. The letter is quoted below:
“In its first month, starting Dec 10, 2014, the ambulance crew attended more than 20 emergencies in the local area which included a car accident, a number of near drownings and a decompression incident. Through speed of response, paramedics were able to save at least three lives! This is such an important addition to our community, and the numbers from the first 4.5 weeks show how necessary it is for us to have the ambulance here. This ambulance supports not just the village of Akumal, but also the wider area communities including Jade Bay, South Akumal, Aventuras Akumal, and beyond.
We are continuing to fund-raise for the paramedics’ salaries and the ambulance’s operating costs, and to ensure that we can keep this service in our community. Plaza Ukana very generously donates accommodations for the paramedics at night time to ensure that they are centrally located at all times. The Akumal Comedy Festival (April 14-18, 2015) is the next large fundraiser event. 100% of the proceeds from the Festival will go directly to the Red Cross and the money from the Akumal shows will be used to pay for the Akumal Ambulance.
If you would like to support the ambulance project by way of a donation, you can do so via Paypal or with your credit card. Please click here. This goes directly to the Tulum Red Cross PayPal account and the donation is labeled "Akumal Ambulance". Donors can also make a bank transfer directly to the Red Cross if they wish to donate. Mexican businesses will receive a deduction form for tax purposes. Please contact the Red Cross directly for bank information. Cruz Roja Tulum – Lic. Verónica Madrid Pérez, admontulum@live.com.mx 984 151 7553 / 984 176 1217.”
World oil glut helps derail
Trans-peninsular train plan
By Staff
Locals who couldn’t wait for the “dream ride” on a train from nearby Punta Venado to Merida, Chichen Itza and other inland sites of interest will have to dream about something else.
Plummeting oil prices – read that as considerable lost income for producer nations like Mexico – have taken the bottom out of spending plans not only for the much-touted trans-peninsular train but also the other dream, that of an international airport in Tulum. Also reportedly dead in the water is the Dragon Mart development in Cancun via public objection. The only other major area project having to do with transportation is the proposed fuel shipping terminal in Punta Venado, which, like the airport dream, remains way up in the air as the federal environmental agency has postponed its environmental impact decision until April.
Add to this mélange of distressful news the pending opening of Cuba to U.S. tourism and investment, eroding beaches along the Mexican Caribbean and slowly rising cost of living in Quintana Roo and it appears on the surface that the Riviera Maya tourism and real estate businesses will have to be at their best to maintain, sustain and grow their industries.
Carlos Constandse Madrazo, vice president of “Experience Xcaret”, said the train was the only “real possibility of generating a transportation circuit on the peninsula” and laments its loss. On the other hand, he said, “we have a very good road network.” A new connector road in Playa del Carmen linking up with major highways west was recently opened, cutting more than an hour from travel time to Merida. (bus)
The train’s demise was announced last week by Mexico Finance Minister Luis Videgaray. It put to rest arguments between the business sectors of Cancun and Playa del Carmen as to where the train terminal in Q. Roo should be located.
If there is any solace to be found in the decision, it comes from the environmentalists who say the rail path would have dislocated wildlife, such as the jaguar specie that has already been affected by the El Tintal-Playa del Carmen roadway. The animals have been reported approaching areas inhabited by humans since their habitat was disturbed. Relief has also been expressed by a few ex-pat homebuyers who are leery of overdevelopment and excessive growth.
The 277-mile-long rail line would have connected Merida and points in between to Punta Venado.
COMING EVENTS…
CONSTITUTION DAY, a federal day-off holiday on Feb. 5 celebrates the promulgation of the 1857 and 1917 constitutions… RECYCLE DAY is Friday, Feb. 6 at the skate park from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m…. PUERTO DEL MAR ASSEMBLY is at 8 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 7 at the Colonos meeting room… VILLAS DEL MAR II assembly is at 8:30 a.m. on Tueday, Feb. 10… COOKING CLASS - Latitude 20 cooking class has switched back to its regular Friday class schedule at 10 a.m on Fridays… ART SHOWS are held each Thursday evening at the Information and Art Center…SPANISH CLASSES at Latitude 20 are held at 11:30 a.m. (basic) and 12:30 (intermediate) on Mondays and Wednesdays…
Commerce Corner …
Reserve car storage early,
advises Riviera Maya facility
Paamul company expands indoor capacity
By Staff
Riviera Maya Storage, located across Highway 307 from the Paamul entrance road, is in the process of increasing storage capacity for cars, golf carts, motorcycles, jet skis and bicycles. Ample space is also provided outdoors for large boats, travel buses, trucks, trailers and cars.
Ted Faber, owner, said indoor storage of cars last summer was limited to 32 spaces and filled up early. This year, changes in the hurricane-proof structure will allow for at least 40 cars indoors in addition to multiple outdoor spaces. Storage lockers for household goods have been reconfigured to include 8×10 and 12, 8×8 and smaller 4×4 cubes for personal items, particularly for those owners who rent their units while they are away and need a safe, low-cost space to keep their personal items.
”We’re also improving our ventilation scheme,’’ Faber said “in addition to our security camera system that allows clients to view the stored items from their computers back home.” Security also includes a 12-foot high-tensile security fence around the facility’s perimeter and 24/7 on-site personnel.” He suggests that car owners make early reservations, particularly for indoor service.
Stored cars are started several times a month to maintain batteries and are washed as needed as part of the service fee. Pick-up and delivery service is also available at reasonable rates.
Faber advises owners that older sealed
batteries sometimes do not facilitate recharging because they do not accept distilled water.
In keeping with the business plan that was announced when the facility opened several years ago, Riviera Maya Storage has steadily added comprehensive services including drop-in maintenance and repair of cars, boats, wave runners , golf carts, ATVs and just about any vehicle that moves on wheels or over water.
The company also has the trailers necessary to move large boats in and out of the water and provide mechanical and detail services while the vessels are in dry storage. Personnel are available to take calls in English and Spanish. For Spanish speakers, call Gabriella at 984-116-8876. For English, dial 984-139-6632.
Faber said another service, helping transport and transfer foreign-plated cars, is available. Click on the Riviera Maya Dry Storage logo at left for more information.
Briefly noted…
Saudi Arabia has been in the news lately with the death of the country’s king. But it didn’t stop one of the princes, Alwaleed Bin Talal from visiting the ruins in Tulum last week where he spent the better part of an hour after arriving by helicopter… Playa del Carmen is planning to issue commercial operating licenses for micro businesses in the various neighborhoods to spur investment and encourage the small entrepreneur… More bicycle paths are being proposed in Playa del Carmen along with registration of bicycles to prevent theft, two of which occurred last week in Puerto Aventuras. Security is investigating and on the lookout… Car insurance became compulsory as of Jan. 1 this year for cars using federal highways including the one between Cancun and Tulum. It affects cars made before 2010… U.S., Canada and Mexico secretaries of state met in Boston last week to discuss a number of issues including cooperation in hemispheric priorities and enhancing security… Not everybody got the word on the time zone change that occurred Sunday, causing some confusion among travelers and businesses that apparently don’t stay tuned to media information outlets… The federal electric company has opened a special window at its office in Playa to serve people with disabilities as the result of complaints that the federal CFE was not enforcing the disabilities law… TelCel line failures were reported in a number of communities over the weekend, including Playa del Carmen and renewal services at retail outlets suspended temporarily… World Wetlands Day observance this week noted that our State of Quintana Roo ranks second in the nation in the number of mangroves after the loss of 2,161 hectares (5,339 acres) of wetlands… Propane gas deliveries during businesses hours is a dangerous practice, the municipality has warned retailers and schools, and ignoring the rules will bring sanctions down on violators… Akumal poblado residents are defying death by not using the pedestrian bridge over Highway 307, officials warn. They say one in 10 people do not use the bridge to cross the highway, a particularly dangerous practice at night when there is an absence of lighting and a plethora of speeding vehicles…
The Mail Bag…
Lamenting a “chairless” beach
Dear Editor,
Good articles! Looking for some clarification on beach access. Internet makes it pretty clear all Mexican beach is Public, up to 20 meters (60 ft.) which is shown on our local maps. Yet, most of the beach gives the implication that it is "private" almost to the water’s edge. Even the Colonos states (on the access sign) that you can’t bring chairs or cooler to the beach, which is contrary to the Federal law. Shouldn’t the Colonos do a little more to advance the rights of the public? Thanks,
Signed/Dennis Tibbs
Hard Rock hard to take
Dear Editor,
I haven’t seen anything mentioned in the Pelican about the Hard Rock Hotel and its incredibly loud music and concerts. Last night’s (Feb. 3) lasted until almost 3 am. Is there anything that can be done? I’m sure the residents of Pueblo Escondido are very upset about this. I live on the lagoon next to the Catalonia and there are many times that they rattle our windows. Has anyone tried to find a solution?
Signed/ Launa Brockman
(Ed. Note: This is evidently a recurring issue requiring recurring complaints such as yours, Launa. The Hard Rock and Colonos administration reached an informal agreement last spring about being good neighbors. It was published in the Pelican. Apparently, Hard Rock doesn’t place lasting value on agreements and neighborliness. It is particularly disturbing since the Hard Rock has an optional venue that is less noisy.)
Nature Watch…
Turquoise-browed MotMot welcomes
White-bearded Birdman back to PA
By Gayle Sandholm
With the change to Eastern Time, I thought I’d report on the “clock bird”, hoping you won’t think I have gone a little cuckoo.
A life bird (meaning seen for the first time) that I am enjoying this year is the Turquoise-Browed MotMot. This unique and very colorful bird,, which is about 13 inches (34 cm-long) has a mostly green-blue body with a rufous (reddish) back and belly. There is a black patch on the throat and a bright blue stripe above the eye (from which the name is derived).
The bare feather shafts and racket-tipped tail are distinctive. The Turquoise-browed MotMot often is seen perching in the open on wires or branches at the edge of the jungle where it hunts for insects and small reptiles. If you get too close, the motmot will wag its tail, a display thought to let any predator know it has been seen and any pursuit will not result in capture. In the Yucatan, this motmot is also known as pájaro reloj or "clock bird" based on the habit of wagging its tail like a pendulum.
I also am enjoying watching the Squirrel Cuckoo leaping from branch to branch like a squirrel. It is often seen as a flash of brown near the top of trees. It normally flies only short distances, mainly gliding with an occasional flap of its wings. About 19 inches-50cm-long, the head and upperparts are mainly chestnut in color, becoming paler on the throat.
The central tail feathers are rufous, and the outer tail feathers are black with white tips. This cuckoo has a yellow bill and a distinct red eye. It feeds on large insects such as cicadas, wasps and caterpillars (including those with stinging hairs or spines), and occasionally spiders and small lizards.
There are lots of interesting birds out there, like the Grey Hawk, mangrove Vireo, Rufous-browed Ppeppershrike, Rose-throated Becard, Black-headed Trogon, Summer Tanager, and at least four varieties of orioles. So, take a stroll, and keep looking up.