Six boats were left stranded in La Paz Bay this week after recent weather conditions, prompting port authorities to call on vessel owners to register their boats with proper contact information. The Administración Portuaria Integral de Baja California Sur (API-BCS) — the state’s port authority — says the abandoned vessels have already been removed, but the incident highlights a recurring problem during hurricane season.
María Fernanda Meza García, API-BCS director of operations and commercialization, said boats anchored in the bay must have a registered owner or responsible party on file. The requirement is not new, but enforcement becomes critical when storms approach and authorities need to contact owners quickly.
Registration requires visiting the API office at the muelle fiscal (the port authority dock) and providing a name, contact number and the vessel’s location in the bay. Officials say they have been notifying boat owners directly, and while most have complied, some still have not completed the process.
Why Registration Matters for Cruisers and Liveaboards
The bay is a popular anchorage for cruisers, liveaboards and local fishing boats, many of which remain in the water year-round. When a storm warning is issued, strong winds and surge can quickly overwhelm poorly secured vessels, leaving them adrift or grounded. Without current contact information on file, port officials have no way to warn owners or coordinate emergency action.
According to the state government, an improperly secured boat can damage other vessels or port infrastructure, and the registered owner will be held financially responsible for any resulting damage. The API is working with Capitanía de Puerto, Mexico’s port captain authority, and Protección Civil to ensure boaters receive advance alerts during severe weather.
What Boat Owners Should Do Now
API-BCS recommends the following steps for anyone with a boat in La Paz Bay:
Check that your anchor and rode are properly set and sized for the vessel. Inspect and replace worn lines, shackles and swivels. Remove or securely lash down sails, biminis, flags, tarps and loose gear that could catch the wind. For pangas and smaller craft, consider pulling the boat from the water and storing it in a secure location when a storm approaches. If your boat is out of service, store it in a dry marina or other protected area.
Meza García urged owners and fishing families to monitor navigation alerts from Capitanía de Puerto and weather advisories from Protección Civil. In past years, authorities have removed abandoned vessels from the bay after storms, but cleanup is costly and time-consuming.
What Happens If You Don’t Register
While there is no immediate fine for failing to register, unregistered boats are at greater risk of being left unsecured during an emergency. If a vessel breaks loose and causes damage, the owner will still be liable, and recovery costs could be substantial. The port authority has the legal authority to remove and impound vessels deemed hazardous or abandoned.
The call for registration comes as Baja California Sur remains in the active portion of the Eastern Pacific hurricane season, which runs through November. Boaters planning to leave their vessels in the bay during the season should ensure their information is up to date and that someone local can respond if conditions deteriorate quickly.
