## 28 Boats Sunken Since Hurricane “Norma” in La Paz Bay
Almost a year has passed since Hurricane “Norma” devastated the municipality of La Paz, wreaking unprecedented havoc in the bay of the capital by sinking dozens of boats. Even now, some vessels remain at the bottom of the bay.
Initially, the Federal Environmental Protection Agency (Profepa) claimed there were no significant environmental impacts or fuel spills, despite more than 60 yachts and sailboats either grounding or sinking.
“The majority of the vessels were stranded near their mooring locations, meaning there was no significant impact on marine species,” stated the federal agency.
As the current hurricane season progresses, the Baja California Sur Integral Port Administration (API) is taking steps to impose stricter regulations and prevent similar scenarios in the future.
Fernando Hoyos, API’s head of Protection and Surveillance, emphasized their efforts to remove the sunken boats as swiftly as possible. “The port administration is following instructions from relevant authorities, aiding in the removal of wreckage from various incidents: burned, broken, grounded, or affected by Hurricane Norma last year,” he explained.
According to Hoyos, gatherings at the port captaincy office have allowed boat owners to share their opinions on the matter. He noted that more seasoned sailors have been especially cooperative in cleaning up and beautifying the beaches.
API has identified around 30 small to medium boats, including yachts and sailboats, that need to be removed from the bay. To accomplish this, they have acquired 10 refloatation bags to lift the sunken vessels from the water and secure them. “These sunken boats cannot be left there for obvious reasons,” said Hoyos.
Hoyos posited that the delay in boat removal might be partly due to foreign owners who left the country without addressing their wrecked boats. He stressed the importance of maintaining a safe harbor, as sunken vessels pose a risk to incoming traffic.
Moreover, the Tax Administration Service (SAT) and Customs need to ascertain the status of these boats—whether they are temporarily imported or have unregistered statuses in Mexico. “We also need to check if they are stolen from other countries,” he added.
For over a decade, authorities have sought to correctly identify the owners of moored vessels in Mexican ports, not only in La Paz. According to Pavel Castro Rios, the Secretary-General of the La Paz City Council, sunken or grounded vessels removed from the bay will be taken to the municipal landfill until their owners reclaim them; otherwise, alternative measures will be taken.
Additionally, Profepa’s acting head, Andrea Marcela Geiger, noted that ongoing efforts continue to address sunken and federally regulated maritime-territorial zone boats, some of which have been found to impact the environment negatively.
Authorities are urging fishermen to remove any privately-owned unequipped units to protect the area.
### Additional Article
**Hurricane Damage Recovery Efforts Underway in La Paz**
As La Paz continues to recover from the devastating effects of Hurricane “Norma,” local authorities and organizations are intensifying efforts to restore the affected areas. The storm, which struck almost a year ago, left a significant number of vessels submerged or stranded, leading to extensive damage and environmental concerns.
Efforts are being led by the local government and supported by environmental agencies, including Profepa, which is monitoring the ecological impact and ensuring compliance with regulations. The removal process involves the use of specialized equipment such as refloatation bags to lift and secure sunken vessels.
In addition to removing the wreckage, authorities are also focusing on implementing stricter regulations to prevent such incidents in the future. This includes regular inspections and better mooring practices to ensure the safety and sustainability of the bay’s marine environment.
The local community, including seasoned sailors and fishermen, have been actively participating in the cleanup and restoration efforts. The initiative not only aims to restore the bay’s beauty but also to ensure a safe and welcoming environment for tourists and locals alike.
As the hurricane season continues, authorities remain vigilant and prepared to respond promptly to any new challenges that may arise, demonstrating a steadfast commitment to the preservation and safety of La Paz Bay.