Learn all about cancellations of operations or aquatic activities due to Harbor Master's instructions and what to do if your reservation is canceled because of this.
The cancellation or closure of operations by harbormaster or marine instructions is a measure that may be taken in a port or maritime area to temporarily suspend navigation activities and harbor operations due to various safety or emergency reasons. This decision is usually taken by the marine authorities such as the Secretaría de la Marina, the Subsecretaría de Marina, and the Dirección de Meteorología, which are represented by the harbor captain or the officer in charge of the administration of the maritime area of Quintana Roo.
For which reasons may maritime activities or operations be suspended in Cancun?
⛈️ Bad Weather
During hazardous weather conditions, such as heavy rain, heavy winds, dense fog, high waves, or similar conditions, the harbor master may temporarily close the port or limit operations to a specific area to avoid accidents or damage to vessels and harbor infrastructure.
🚒 Emergencies
In emergencies, such as spills of hazardous substances, ship collisions, fires in the port, or any other situation that poses a risk to maritime safety and the environment, the harbor may be closed to allow for proper response and mitigation of the emergency.
🛠️ Maintenance and repairs
Sometimes, parts of the port or the entire facility may be closed for scheduled maintenance or critical repairs to port infrastructure such as piers, docks, lighthouses, or other equipment.
🛡️ National Security
In situations of national security or response to specific threats, maritime authorities may close access to a port or naval area to ensure the protection of the nation and its strategic assets.
It is important to note that the decision to close or cancel operations in a port or maritime area is made based on an assessment of existing conditions and risks and seeks to ensure the safety of people, vessels, and the marine environment. The specific details of how this measure is implemented may vary according to the regulations and protocols of each country or maritime region.
How do I know if my entire tour or activities were canceled with Cancun Sailing? 🤷🏻
At Cancun Sailing, we have several ways our guests can find out about harbor closures and cancellations of operations or activities.
When operations or port closures are canceled, our agents send emails, text messages, and phone calls to each of our guests. 📲
In case of booking with a travel agency, the travel agency itself is in charge of resolving the refund or rescheduling of the tour.
➡️ Read this post about what to do if your tour is canceled
What is the risk of sailing when operations are canceled? 😕
Very commonly, the cancellation of maritime operations is due to the strength of the wind, the size of the sea waves, storms, fires, or an accident in the area, which means the risk is high. It is advisable not to sail for any reason, in case the captaincy so decides. Once the notice is lifted, vessels may return to their normal activities.
☝🏼 The best thing is always to sail safely, to enjoy your experience every minute!
In which season are marine activities most likely to be canceled?
Most operations are canceled by Harbor master or maritime zone during the rainy season and high winds. At the same time, winter is when more cold fronts arrive in Cancun, Cozumel, and Isla Mujeres, which are likely to arrive with strong winds. Take your precautions, and do not get demotivated! 😎 Remember that with us, scheduling your experience is always possible.
Learn all about how we are alerted about the cancellation of activities in Marina:
Generally, the harbor master will issue a cancellation order up to 8 or 2 hours prior to operations. As soon as the order is received, the Cancun Sailing team and the other vessels must notify their operations agencies and guests about the dock closure.
In our case, Cancun Sailing omits alerts through social networks, such as stories and publications in which our guests can corroborate the information received by phone, mail, or text message.
In some cases (extraordinary), the boats are alerted even moments before the tour departs for Isla Mujeres. For security, the guests must follow the safety protocol to take the next tour or reschedule their trip according to the conditions of the alert issued.
➡️ Read the following official document to learn about the maritime operations regulations in Cancun.
This is what the notices to the harbor maritime community look like.
Here, you can see what our notices of suspension of activities by harbor master's instructions look like.
Can I contact Cancun Sailing directly in case the activities are canceled?
Yes, it is possible to contact Cancun Sailing in case your tour is canceled due to port closure, and we provide you with the email below:
⚠️ Remember, if you have booked with an external agency or tour operator, Cancun Sailing is not responsible for these cancellations or events, and you must contact the agency with which you have purchased the tour.
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IMPORTANT All cancellations of operations due to dock master's instructions depend exclusively on the governmental organization that issues them, and Cancun Sailing must not conduct tours under these conditions for any reason to safeguard the safety of the guests and their collaborators. |
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