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The Pique, a nickname I use very affectionately was conceived by Lock Crowther (now deceased) a pioneer in multihull design, of Austrailia and built in a boatyard in Hamilton, Ontario in 1982 . On June 16, '05 the Choupique struck a reef just north of San Pedro, Belize at 3:00 AM, which was the beginning of five days and nights of a horrifying experience. The Mexican Navy and Xcalak Port Captain answered my distress call immediately and was on the site by day break and began process of removing her from the reef.The damage to her hull was minor and easily repairable even in the water, but lt was necessary to remove her from the reef. Both amas were afloat and un-damaged. At this point the whole scenerio took a drastic turn. The Belizians appeared and ordered the Mexicans to leave Belize waters immediately (she was about a mile inside the Belize boundry). They informed the Mexican Port Captian that a Belize boat was on it's way to the scene to complete the removal. That was the last anyone heard or saw of the Belizians. Five days later the choupique had to be abandoned, and within a few hours was completely ransacked by two Belize citizens......go to web-journal for details.........There is not enough kind words and praise for the assistance of the Mexican Navy. Xcalak, Mex.,Port Captain Morelos, and many private citizens of xcalak who stood constant vigil during those five days and nights.....
Our plans were to leave Key West on or about June 1st, for Isla Mujeres, Mexico with a stopover at the Dry Tortugas, then on down the Mayan Riviera through Belize and on to Rio Dulce, Guatamala to hole-up for hurricane season, with a lot of stops along the way. After the season, who knows!!!, but the Pique will not be making the last half of the trip