The first step in combating them was to prevent the trafficking of arms from Belize and to assert Mexican sovereignty at that end of the territory, so it was decided to build a fort and customs section at the point where the Hondo River led to the Bahía de Chetumal and who was known as "Obispo",' an officer of the navy, P. Mark, suggested that as it was an unexplored place and without any certainty of what the terrain would be like, it would be better to send to the place a than anchored at the point of the bay or the Hondo River, could serve as a barracks and customs section while a permanent establishment was being achieved, and the pontoon would allow for rapid mobility and increased surveillance. Blanco's suggestion was accepted and he was also appointed commandof such pontoon and chief of the operation; the pontoon was built in [New Orleans and Blanco gave it the name Ponton, as a souvenir to the Mayan name of the region. He left New Orleans in late and after making stops in Progress (Yucatan)' Progreso, Yucatan and Cozumel, arrived at the mouth of the Hondo River on 22 January 1898.