4:30 a.m. and the Bridge beckons; we are making our approach to the Canal, past anchored vessels awaiting their ‘slot’ for transit. The VHF radio is a constant ‘chatter’, instructions to us and other vessels from Cristobal control, we have to be passing the breakwaters at 6 a.m., ready to receive Boarding officials, Immigration officers, Inspectors and, last but not least, a pilot.
Through the breakwaters
We have a rigorous inspection, the purpose of which is to confirm we comply with Canal regulations and while this is going on we make 4 knots slowly down the channel. All is well and we are assigned 16Z, the ‘Z’ denoting we are a southbound vessel. Ahead of us, a large container ship leaves Cristobal Container terminal and slips into the channel ahead of us; we will follow her for a while, she will use the new locks, being far too large to fit into the ‘old’ ones.
The Container ship ahead
Gatun locks beckon
This was to be my last canal transit, in 2020 we will go south, around South America and through the Magellan Straits. Somewhat ‘tongue in cheek’ I had asked the Canal Authorities if I could possibly use one of the new locks for this final transit, unfortunately this was not to be, they were far too busy putting larger ships through them. I did however receive and Honorary Canal pilot certificate and cap to mark the occasion.
We progress south towards the first set of locks, Gatun. It is in fact a ‘flight’; one enters the lower chamber, are pumped up to the 2nd chamber and then to the 3rd, thus being level with Gatun lake, a total of 85 feet up.
Entering the lower chamber
One of the 6 ‘mules’ which will tie-on and pull us through the chambers
A southbound cargo ship, entering the upper chamber, east side, on its way down and north
Passing the Lock-keepers building
Then into Gatun Lake, we have to anchor here, there are some late north-bound ships coming our way and some sections of the canal are too narrow to pass. Eventually we leave the anchorage and make our way across the lake, water and jungle, that’s all one sees. We are making speed to meet the last north-bound ship at Gamboa, before the narrow Culebra Cut.
Approaching Gamboa
The cause of our delay, a very large Container ship
We make the turn into the ‘cut’, we are #1 in a convoy of Cruise ships, 3 more follow us. We weave our way through the narrow passage, under Centennial Bridge and the next set (of 2) locks are ahead. These will take us the 85 feet down to the Pacific.
Centennial Bridge
Pedro Miguel locks ahead
Out of Pedro Miguel
and into Miraflores lock, the Pacific ahead
The visitors centre at Miraflores locks
One chamber to go and we’re through!
Once in the Pacific, we disembark our officials and pilots, we’re making for an anchorage off Panama City, Fuerta Amador lies an isthmus jutting out parallel to the canal bouyage.
The transit has taken us 11 hours and by 6 p.m. we are anchored off the marina to which we will tender. We stay the night and the entire next day.
At anchor, lots of Pelicans too 🙂
Panama City skyline
We are not alone!
A cruise ship pier is being built.
The Marina tender pier
Captain Jonathan,
Also sending my congratulations to you in receiving your Honorary Canal pilot certificate! Thanks for the excellent post.
All the best and Cheers!
I chuckle every time I see the “mules” because when I did the round trip from FLL partially through the canal, a woman at the bow was saying she didn’t see any mules. She thought actual mules (donkeys) were guiding us. I hope to transit the entire canal in the future. Enjoy this cruise.
Admiral,
Fascinating reading with great pictures.
You are an amazing man!
Hi to Karen.
General
Great to hear from you General!
Hi Jonathan!
Also sending my congratulations to you in receiving your Honorary Canal pilot certificate. Well done asking about using the new locks you may have just gotten lucky – after-all there may have been a “no show”. 🙂 I am also curious on the number of transits you have done as well. Jeff is on the Zuiderdam sailing ongoing for 258 days; he just did the transit again several days ago. Thanks for sharing photos and taking the time to post. Safe travels, Regards, Rosie
Congratulations on the Honorary Certificate!
Congratulations on your Honary Certificate.
Thanks for posting your blog again, I certainly enjoy reading your posts; especially now since under Doctors orders I have to stay close to home for a few months.
Safe r
Travels.
Sad that this is your last PC transit. Will have to look into the 2020 cruise. We sailed with you on the New Amsterdam on it’s maiden voyage.
So nice to get the certificate,did I see a small tear. Any idea to post how many canal transits you have done. I would love to do the new one also ,but have to figure what line now uses it for their transit either way. Next time you may be a passenger🤗 👍
Lots of memories, thank you!
Save that pilot’s cap for wearing
Around your home marina in your
Retirement… will be the source of plenty of questions I am sure.
How nice that you will have these logs of your voyages for complete with photos as a legacy for your family
Thanks for the marvelous narrative of your canal transit. Following your advice, we watched Amsterdam’s progress through the Miraflores Locks. Here is a time lapse sequence of your passage through the locks as seen on the webcam: https://www.vimeo.com/313706138
I hope it will play for you!
All the best,
Jan & Maureen Smith