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Cozumel News May 23^rd, 2014: The Raising of the Albatros Part One, The Airplane Library is inaugurated, more on The Puerta Maya Expansion, and a Special report from The Cozumel Sun’s Living in Cozumel Guide on “Medical Emergencies for Residents and Tourists.”

Raising of the Albatros Part One

A friend of mine, Cindy Trautwein, told me of the salvage operation to raise the Albatros that was to take place yesterday. I knew only that Ronnie Lippert was going to Captain the rescue boat accompanied by a Harley Joseph. I also knew the Albatros belonged to Rita Michele Absher. I immediately got on Facebook   in hopes of minute by minute updates on the delicate and dangerous operation. It worked! Harley Joseph was kind enough to provide great pictures and regular updates on the operation. Here is what I pieced together from his postings.

The story is another example on how our community pulls together in Cozumel in time of need. Ronnie Lippert, Harley Joseph, and others organized a salvage operation to raise the Albatros to help out owner, Rita Michele Absher.

Ronnie Lippert captained the boat, “Vamonos” with what looked like in the pictures a crew of eight that included Harley Joseph, L. Scott Harrell, Robert Bungener, Kami Michaels and Fabian Gonzalez. Gernan Meecado provided the professional salvage experience.

They carried no less than 60 scuba tanks on board. Eva Kristine Rasmussen, owner of the Blue Angel Restaurant & Resort provided a free banquet for the brave men.

It was a long, stressful   operation, but they manage to float the Albatross and tow it to Meridiano, the big boat yard next to Blue Angel Resort. It was nine at night by the time they got there, and no one was there to actually get the boat out of the water. The Albatros is out of the Punta Sur Marine Park area, there is no danger to the reefs.  I have requested an interview with the Captain and crew of the salvage operation so I can give you a detailed story of the raising of the Albatros and an exact list of those that participated.

There was so much coverage on the sinking of the Albatros earlier this week; I find it strange that none of the newspapers reported that it was moved yesterday. I spoke to owner Rita Michele Absher and discovered that the two tourists on board the Albatros were fishing, not diving as reported. She promises to meet with me as soon as time allows. As of today, the cause of the accident remains a mystery. Credits: Pictures and information provided by Harley Joseph on Facebook.

This morning the Albatros was finally raised out of the waters. Enjoy the pictures courtesy of once again, Harley Joseph.

Airplane Library Inaugurated

The Airplane Library is next to “Juan Paul II ” Park on 130 Avenue between Miguel Hidalgo and 7 south in Colonia San Gervasio. It was inaugurated on Thursday May 21, 2014. The event was officiated by Governor Roberto Borge Angulo who was accompanied by Mayor Fredy Efren Marrufo Martin.

Eduardo Novelo, President of the Foundation of Parks and Museums Cozumel Island (FPMC), announced that the “Biblioavión” has 20 computers with free internet service for students to research projects and school assignments. The library has software that includes materials for elementary, middle, and high school-based programs of the Ministry of Public Education. The media room has capacity for 30 people. The library is available for all children, adolescents, and youth, of the island not only for this colony.

The library Airplane  photograph was taken last month when it was nearing completion.

Playa Azul Beach Club

Savia Spa at Playa Azul Resort Hotel

Puerta Maya Expansion

As reported yesterday, the work of extending the third arm of the Puerta Maya pier, also took place yesterday. The Governor Roberto Borge Angulo and Mayor Fredy Efren Marrufo Martin were on hand for the ceremony along with the bigwigs of the cruise lines. The picture is of laying of the foundation stone for this construction, which is scheduled to be completed before the winter of 2015.

Once this is completed at Puerta Maya in Cozumel, it will be the only shipping port or tourist destination that can house three transatlantic cruisers at once. I am assuming by that statement they are speaking of the giant cruise ships that now exists with the capacity of over three thousand tourists each. This is part of the plan to  expand the cruise activity up to 23 percent by 2015.

La Rumba Cozumel

Medical Emergencies for Residents & Tourists

If you should need to call for a medical emergency, be ready to let the ambulance driver know what hospital you wish to be transported to. Some hospitals are expensive if you do not have insurance coverage. If you have a medical condition and your Spanish is not fluent, have a Spanish translation of the problem or problems handy to make it easier for you to communicate with the paramedics. Examples of things you might want to list are high blood pressure, heart condition, diabetic, allergies, and symptoms. There are many bilingual Doctors on the Island. However, be ready in the event your Doctor is not available.

HAVE YOUR DOCUMENTS – KNOW YOUR HOSPITALS – KNOW YOUR INSURANCE COVERAGE

Everyone vacationing should know if your insurance is accepted at any of the local hospitals. Ambulances are privately run, and get paid by taking you to certain clinics. Have a name of a hospital or clinic available and demand to be taken there. Have enough funds in your credit and debit cards to cover medical expenses, and funeral expenses, including returning the remains home. Consider purchasing flight insurance. Changing a flight departure date due to illness or death can cost up to $400! Flight insurance can cover medical expenses not covered by your regular insurance company.

When you move to Mexico, you should acquaint yourself with the local medical and health facilities available in your area. Find out where your nearest hospitals and clinics are, as well doctors, dentists and opticians and keep their telephone contact numbers at hand. You can find this information out from neighbors, friends, work colleagues or contact your local consulate who are able to give you a list of local health facilities in the city or town where you live. The Cozumel Sun has a listing of Service Providers for your convenience.

Have these instructions and numbers written on a card that you carry with you. In emergency situations you do not think clearly enough to remember who to call.

Although Mexico has a number of universal emergency numbers, numbers for specific emergency services vary by state and locality, so ask about the numbers for the local police, ambulance and fire station and keep these handy by the home and office phone (and save them in your mobile phone).

The equivalent of 911 (or in Europe 112, 999) is 066 in Cozumel, Mexico. You can ask for the police, an ambulance or the fire brigade on this number.

Some insurance companies supply their own emergency contact numbers to policy holders and will connect you to an English-speaking operator.

For a full listing of emergency numbers: https://www.thecozumelsun.com/living-in-cozumel-guide-2/emergencies/