The Panama Canal Passage

Panama Canal

I could see our two transit companions, a 40 something foot cat and a 40 something foot sloop. It was blowing at least 20 knots so as you can imagine; I couldn't hear a thing! My nipples were hard as rock and my hair was in my eyes...Anyway, back to the story; I could see that Sandra had bought out the chocolate chip cookies she had baked especially and Ash was laughing because she had one and I didn't.its fair to say hastily down the mast I went.. The cookies were delicious!

This all happened while we approached and went under " The bridge Americana" towards the Miraflores locks. The cat wasp in-front and the 40 something foot sloop behind us. Large ships were coming and going frequently on the port side. We were motoring at 5knots and they would pass as if we were snails!

Once we got to within half a mile of the first set of locks and the ship we would proceed behind was in position within the first lock we rafted up on the starboard side of the cat. Refered to as "nesting", this is how we were situated through the first set of locks.

The cat (which was in the centre) had primary control and the two outside boats (sloops) aided in maneuvering. We motored into the locks, trying to keep an equal distance from each wall.  Rob at the helm, Garry on the bow line, the girls where ever they were required and myself on the stern line; this is how it went. The Panamainan canal worker threw down monkey lines which Gaz and I quickly tied bo-lines to our starboard 110ft bow and stern lines... We motored forward slowly,  when in position the canal workers hauled up the lines and placed them around the large bolards which are fixed to the canal wall. Our job as line ganders was to keep tension on to ropes at all times. To much pressure would result in Pacific Pacer humping the wall in a big, ugly, paint scratching, fender bending, furious captain mess. (check out the video at;________)

At the Miraflores locks the chambers where flooded with fresh water from the lake which as a result bought all vessels above sea level. At the Gaton locks the process was reversed, traversing all vessels back to sea level.

Due to the departure time of the canal transit we did at least 70% of it in pitch black darkness. No stress though, the canal markers made it simple. Although we could not see a whole lot I could hear all types of wild life, it was phenomenal!

In the end it took roughly 12hours from anchor up to anchor down -to cross from the Pacific Coast to the Atlantic. What an experience!

Up close and personal with the wall

To celebrate another successful passage, completion of the canal, the crossing from one ocean to another, an early toast to Garry and Susies unborn (but soon to be) child, a prayer to the Hawaiian surf gods and Carribean weather gods; great friends and good times we drunk numerous cerveza, smoked a cuban cigar and Ash has an ice cream sunday.

Today is the 13th of March. We are currently at Shelter Bay Marina, Colon, Panama. Good place, I can see Gary having some cheese-cake - I thought Susie said he was on a diet?!!? Oops!

Dan