https://www.noonsite.com/report/mazatlan-cruisers-guide/#comment-5522
His name was Michael (Mike) P. Wilson - a British ex-pat, who lived aboard his sailboat (Tortue) in Mazatlan Mexico.
2019-01-24, @Bloomer: "Sadly, Mike Wilson passed away late last year and is no longer able to maintain the Mazatlan Cruiser's Guide. It has been taken over by Ray Watson of Mazatlan Yacht Sales (mazmarine.com) and is downloadable on the home page of his site."
His name was Michael (Mike) P. Wilson - a British ex-pat, who lived aboard his sailboat (Tortue) in Mazatlan Mexico.
Mike, in 2007, Marina Mazatlan, (c) Kelvin D. Meeks
He was a professional marine engineer (Dip. Mech./Mar. Eng. U.K.) - who had obtained additional certifications to perform marine surveys (one of the few surveyors in Mexico authorized to perform surveys for Lloyds of London). He studied in Liverpool England.
Over 30 years of sailing the world's oceans - during one period of his life, he was a yacht captain for one of Paul Allen's boats.
Over 30 years of sailing the world's oceans - during one period of his life, he was a yacht captain for one of Paul Allen's boats.
His services were often retained by insurance companies - after major hurricanes in Mexico - to provide his survey reports for insurance claims.
Mike and Tortue were in La Paz, Baja Sur - in September 2003 - when Hurricane Marty devastated the marina.The pictures he showed me were incredible. Here are some links to details of that event:
Mike and Tortue were in La Paz, Baja Sur - in September 2003 - when Hurricane Marty devastated the marina.The pictures he showed me were incredible. Here are some links to details of that event:
- https://www.nhc.noaa.gov/data/tcr/EP132003_Marty.pdf
- https://www.latitude38.com/LectronicLat/2003/0903/Sept26/Sept26.html
- https://www.latitude38.com/LectronicLat/2003/0903/Sept23/Sept23.html
- http://www.svmirador.net/MartyQuestionsAnswered.htm
In 1996 he semi settled down and founded Mexicolder Tropical Yacht Refrigeration:
We met in 2004 - the morning I arrived after completing a slow sailing passage from La Paz, Baja Sur, Mexico - to the Marina Mazatlan harbor. In the open air palapa restaurant on the Isla - we bonded over breakfast and coffee.
He was one of those few people that I've met - and known instantly - that he was one of the good guys.
Over many years - and many trips back to Mazatlan - I spent great evenings in his company - either via his gracious hosting/cooking aboard his sailboat (Tortue) - or at my invitation to join me in local restaurants - the beach-side restaurant of Hotel Playa Mazatlan being my favorite place.
As was our tradition with every dinner, we savored a few bottles of wine, and we shared stories from our travels and adventures - we shared stories of laughter and regret, of triumphs - and misadventures, of mostly joy - and yet some of the sorrow that must naturally be reaped through a long life lived to the full - and thereby came to know one another as brothers - and our friendship grew and deepened over the years.
Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve was the time of year that we usually would catch-up with each other over a Skype call...often, near midnight.
But, in December 2018 - as Christmas approached...he never responded...
As was our tradition with every dinner, we savored a few bottles of wine, and we shared stories from our travels and adventures - we shared stories of laughter and regret, of triumphs - and misadventures, of mostly joy - and yet some of the sorrow that must naturally be reaped through a long life lived to the full - and thereby came to know one another as brothers - and our friendship grew and deepened over the years.
Christmas Eve or New Year's Eve was the time of year that we usually would catch-up with each other over a Skype call...often, near midnight.
But, in December 2018 - as Christmas approached...he never responded...
His was a quick wit - and a child-like appreciation for silly jokes.
He had little patience for fools - and could be harsh in his judgement of those who set sail upon the ocean without proper preparation and training.
But, his was a kind heart - and he was a loyal friend.
He was always quick to help a friend - whether to lend a hand, or share his knowledge and expertise.
He had little patience for fools - and could be harsh in his judgement of those who set sail upon the ocean without proper preparation and training.
But, his was a kind heart - and he was a loyal friend.
He was always quick to help a friend - whether to lend a hand, or share his knowledge and expertise.
His partner was Melissa Harter, for the last many years (although I've been told she left him seven months before he passed)...but when I met him in 2004, he was still married to Misuzu Yagi Wilson, until their separation sometime in late 2006 (they never finalized the divorce).
He was my friend.
He is no more.
And the world has grown a bit dimmer - because his light has been extinguished.
These are the links on the web that I have found that were the first clues that he had passed:
And the world has grown a bit dimmer - because his light has been extinguished.
These are the links on the web that I have found that were the first clues that he had passed:
- https://www.sailblogs.com/member/sailingmorningstar/455528
- https://www.facebook.com/groups/223414037713454/permalink/1952945368093637
- [My thanks to Tesa Hayashi for sharing with me her photos of Tortue - and for confirming that the boat was left to Simon - who subsequently needed to sell it quickly]
Into the boundless ether, across all manifestations of the multi-verses - I send out this greeting to your soul & spirit my friend:
Michael Wilson,
Wherever ye may be,
Wherever ye may be,
Under whatsoever conditions ye may exist,
Peace Be Upon You, and About You My Friend.
The Memory of Your Friendship is Not Forgotten.
Update: 2019-06-13 Thursday
I've received a response to an inquiry - from Sue Richards (Noonesite.com) - she knew Mike, but was not aware of his passing - and graciously offered to post the link to this page in the Mazatlan section. Thank You Sue. (She also shared that she and Mike, as ex-pat Brits living in foreign lands, enjoyed Yorkshire Gold Tea).
Update: 2019-03-25 Wednesday
I've received an email today from Misuzu Yagi Wilson - and she provided some additional details, that were passed on to her by her friend, Neill Randle. Mike passed away on November 9th, 2018 - from a heart attack. After Mike's passing - his sister (Jane) joined his friends in Mazatlan and held a celebration of his life - and his ashes were spread at sea.
I've received an email today from Misuzu Yagi Wilson - and she provided some additional details, that were passed on to her by her friend, Neill Randle. Mike passed away on November 9th, 2018 - from a heart attack. After Mike's passing - his sister (Jane) joined his friends in Mazatlan and held a celebration of his life - and his ashes were spread at sea.
