We made our transit from the Atlantic through the Panama Canal into the Pacific with friends April, Cain and Malcolm and were joined both days by the same advisor, Harold.
The Seismic Wave Canal Crew in the last chamber at the Miraflores lock
Harold our Canal Advisor with Cain
What an amazing experience with beautiful scenery shared with good friends.
A small crocodile spotted on the side of the canal, no swimming here
DAY 1 had us being lifted via 3 chambers at the Gatun lake lock up into Gatun Lake behind the ship Celsius Mexico.
These ships are huge when you are up close
We were the only other boat so as we entered the first chamber a line with a monkey fist was thrown to each of our 4 line handlers who had to secure our long lines from the boat to it so that our long line could be pulled back up the wall and walked by canal crew staff to the back of Celius Mexico. Our line handlers were busy keeping us steady as the chambers filled and emptied as necessary to move through the lock.
Malcolm giving everyone a quick lesson on how to set up your lines
centre tied in the lock – see how far up the lines go
the gates close behind you
But watch out, the chamber starts to fill and you need to pull in those lines to keep us steady.
the water then starts churning from below and lines need to be adjusted continually as its fills
the chambers full, water is calm and Malcolms happy; no issues
April doing her 1980’s disco moves, later proving that these gloves helped her hands
One final look at the Atlantic…
One final look back along the lock to the Atlantic
Once through the Gatun Lake lock we were moored to a large buoy for the night where we enjoyed a good meal and just a few drinks and laughs.
looking very happy after a few well deserved drinks
DAY 2 started very early (6am) where Cain cooked us all a hearty breakfast to keep us going and help with soaking up all the wine we’d had the night before.
Our advisor from Day 1 surprised us by returning for the final day of our transit, which was great as he was very friendly and had quizzes to keep us entertained.
The crew all looking very relaxed cruising in Gatun Lake
We all took turns driving through the Lake. The Canal ended up closing the Galliard cut as visibility was bad so we had to sit near the Pedro Miguel Locks waiting for our Canal partners to arrive.
April took us through the misty cut before it was closed
her other half had a well deserved nap
We entered the lock with 2 other boats, a tourist boat “Tuira #2” and a maintenance boat with a low platform to tie to, which meant our windows were protected. Yeah! The maintenance boat crew were great as they did everything.
As the 650ft Car Carrier ship “Clovis Composer” eventually arrived into the lock we watched her tie onto the locomotive trains and slowly fill the lock. Just amazing the sheer size of these ships.
As the lock emptied we felt like we had to push her back, she was getting very close to us with her crew looking down on us.
We went through 3 down chambers and before we knew it we had come down from Gatun Lake into the Pacific. Amazing.
Looking at the Bridge of America’s ahead
The huge ship Glovis Composer and her crew passed, waving
This is a trip we will not forget. Thanks to Harold, Malcom and April & Cain for their help in making it a fun, safe trip. Thanks also to them for some of the photos of our journey thru the canal.
So its farewell to Panama City for a while as we head South to Taboga Island and then on to the Las Perlas Islands to wait for a weather window to Ecuador