La Marina
Description of Property

Dock

The dock consist of a welded railroad-rail structure, 38 meters long, 10 feet wide and shaped like a "T". The wide part of the "T" is 25 meters wide (see drawing). The boardwalk is made with chico boards and the extended rails serve as tie points for the boats. Besides serving as a dock for the boats, the dock is a pleasant area to bathe and swim or sunbathe. The dock is wired with 110/220V and is illuminated.

Main Building

In Guatemala, we call thatched roof buildings "ranchos". The big rancho at La Marina is 200 square meters (10x20) with a front porch connecting it directly with the dock. The structure consists of chico wood (a tough hardwood) pilings buried in the sand with a grid of beams of Santa Maria wood supporting a platform of treated pine. All materials were selected for their durability, adaptation to the environment and their ability to blend in with the local "look". The roofing material is confra leaves from the Sarstun River area and are known as the longest lasting of the locally available roofing materials. Life expectancy is from 10 to 12 years. All internal partitions are built of planed Santa Maria and laurel wood.

Water System, Toilets and Showers

The toilet and shower building is conveniently located just behind the main building. It is build of wood frame and board and batten construction with a metal roof that also serves as a rainwater collection device. There are four separate toilets, two with hot and cold showers. This building also serves as a general purpose shed for repairs and as a tool room. The rainwater collected from the roof is fed into storage tanks and is then pumped into the system by an electric 1/2 hp hydropneumatic pump. There is a separate water system for the toilets: water is recirculated through an absorption pond where there is brackish water from the river. Thus, fresh rainwater is not used for toilet flushing, only for the showers and kitchen.

Sewage System

The sewage system consists of a buried fiberglass septic tank with a 5,000 liter capacity. The overflow from the septic tank flows to a second absorption pond which is stocked with water hyacinth plants. The water is then filtered through sand and returned to the ground. The excess nutrients are removed from the pond by occasionally removing the overgrowth of water hyacinth plants which can be used as fertilizer for the coconuts and other trees on the property.

Electrical System

Electricity is served the national grid through a post and 50 kW transformer which is exclusively for La Marina and the four neighbors who created the project. 110/220V electricity is provided to a main breaker box in the service building. All remaining wiring was installed by the builders to acceptable U.S. standards.

Dormitory

The dormitory is a chico and Santa Maria building with thatched roof of confra. It has simple partitions and mosquito netting and is provided with electricity.