15,16/4/2012 Canal transit Atlantic to the Pacific
James and Leslie got the word that their transit was to proceed today about 1500. We placed the tyres supplied by the agent around the topsides and organized the 4 lines bow and stern.
For me this was to be a day transit, unlike the previous night transit. It was to take two days.
An English couple Dee and Pippa who had sailed from the Med were with us to help with the lines, it was a good crew.
James, the captain was from the UK, his wife Leslie was an Aussie girl. They are on their way to Aussie to "settle down".
Our adviser Ricki came aboard whilst we were anchored out in the bay.
He was a great guy, made the trip even more enjoyable, telling jokes and plenty of laughs were had.
Most advisers are part time, his full time job is on a hydrographic survey vessel that continually monitors the depths in the canal. There are dredges working all the time.
The other yacht we shared the transit with, also from Australia, had a pilot onboard, this made Rickis job easier as he was ultimately incharge of our raft, a tug and two yachts.
All went well, about 1700 we anchored up in Lake Gatun. Leslie had cooked a great beef in red wine treat which was unreal. It has been a long time since I have had a full on home cooked meal. This was washed down with Bacardi gold well into the night.
While on the subject of rum, James was saying that a small amount of rum poured on the gills of a caught fish kills it almost instantly, with rum so cheap here and in the Caribbean, it’s a great idea to avoid having to pound the poor fish to death on the deck with blood everywhere and the chance of wrecking something. Or getting a hook in ones finger!! Been there.
The next morning at 0615 our new adviser arrived and off we went for Miralflores. Francisco was also a nice guy.
Again Leslie prepared a great chicken roll each for lunch.
She rang her mum to tell her to watch the canal cam at Miraflores, sat phone style.
Transits can be seen on panamacanal.com
The day was super clamy and hot, crocs were seen in the lake and near the Miraflores locks.
We figured they were blow up jobs just for the tourists, they disappeared each time you went near a camera, a guy was seen dockside with a remote control unit!
We finally got to Las Bresas anchorage at 1440, James took me ashore as I had to catch the bus back to Colon, I bought a BBQ fitting for Dave while I was in Panama City.
Ringing Warren to catch up, we couldn’t do it as he was at the dentist. Never mind.
It was another great experience in the Panama canal, one not to be forgotten. Though to do it again more purpose will be needed.
It was nice to get back to Shelter Bay, shower and relax.
I recieved some very sad news today from Jo, the daughter of my special friend Leon.
Leon passed away suddenly today whilst raking leaves in his garden in Nelson, New Zealand.
We had such a great time on a road trip in the states last year. Its a trip I will never forget. We also spent time in Turkey the year prior.
One hell of a great guy, I feel very priviledged to have been a friend of Leons.
James and Leslie got the word that their transit was to proceed today about 1500. We placed the tyres supplied by the agent around the topsides and organized the 4 lines bow and stern.
For me this was to be a day transit, unlike the previous night transit. It was to take two days.
An English couple Dee and Pippa who had sailed from the Med were with us to help with the lines, it was a good crew.
James, the captain was from the UK, his wife Leslie was an Aussie girl. They are on their way to Aussie to "settle down".
Our adviser Ricki came aboard whilst we were anchored out in the bay.
He was a great guy, made the trip even more enjoyable, telling jokes and plenty of laughs were had.
Most advisers are part time, his full time job is on a hydrographic survey vessel that continually monitors the depths in the canal. There are dredges working all the time.
The other yacht we shared the transit with, also from Australia, had a pilot onboard, this made Rickis job easier as he was ultimately incharge of our raft, a tug and two yachts.
All went well, about 1700 we anchored up in Lake Gatun. Leslie had cooked a great beef in red wine treat which was unreal. It has been a long time since I have had a full on home cooked meal. This was washed down with Bacardi gold well into the night.
While on the subject of rum, James was saying that a small amount of rum poured on the gills of a caught fish kills it almost instantly, with rum so cheap here and in the Caribbean, it’s a great idea to avoid having to pound the poor fish to death on the deck with blood everywhere and the chance of wrecking something. Or getting a hook in ones finger!! Been there.
The next morning at 0615 our new adviser arrived and off we went for Miralflores. Francisco was also a nice guy.
Again Leslie prepared a great chicken roll each for lunch.
She rang her mum to tell her to watch the canal cam at Miraflores, sat phone style.
Transits can be seen on panamacanal.com
The day was super clamy and hot, crocs were seen in the lake and near the Miraflores locks.
We figured they were blow up jobs just for the tourists, they disappeared each time you went near a camera, a guy was seen dockside with a remote control unit!
We finally got to Las Bresas anchorage at 1440, James took me ashore as I had to catch the bus back to Colon, I bought a BBQ fitting for Dave while I was in Panama City.
Ringing Warren to catch up, we couldn’t do it as he was at the dentist. Never mind.
It was another great experience in the Panama canal, one not to be forgotten. Though to do it again more purpose will be needed.
It was nice to get back to Shelter Bay, shower and relax.
I recieved some very sad news today from Jo, the daughter of my special friend Leon.
Leon passed away suddenly today whilst raking leaves in his garden in Nelson, New Zealand.
We had such a great time on a road trip in the states last year. Its a trip I will never forget. We also spent time in Turkey the year prior.
One hell of a great guy, I feel very priviledged to have been a friend of Leons.
Ricki and Leslie, we had a great time with Ricki onboard, being advised about all manner of stuff other than canal procedure.
A great guy. He made the first locks easy.
US stealth tri hulled vessel. One could imagine skiing behind this piece of equipment.
A huge crane for lock gate maintenance, moved around by large tugs on rails. The lower white and red section is all concrete and steel counter weight
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The latest in life raft apparatus on merchant ships!!
Volvo 60 heading somewhere around the Atlantic. Note mast on deck.
Nearly at the bottom of one of the Miraflores locks
Full of cars! Atlantic bound
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