Grey Pearl transits Panama Canal today
From Tina Jones, co-captain of the Nordhavn 62 Grey Pearl:
Ahoy Mateys!
The Panama Canal is experiencing an extraordinary
backup of ships wanting to transit - the worst in
its history. There are currently 131 large ships
waiting to go through. Pleasure yachts have NO
priority and the canal is only allowing 3 or 4
every other day to pass. Consequently there is a
huge backup of yachts - wait time of well over
a month!
Late breaking news
after diligent efforts (it's a
long story ) the Pearl has managed to nab a
precious transit spot and we will pass later
today Thurs. 3/20!!
We will start transiting about 7 pm Thursday
evening and will clear out on the Pacific side
sometime early tomorrow morning Friday 3/21.
Panama is on Central Time, one hour behind Wash.
DC.
You can watch the Pearl by going to this web site:
This is the Panama Canal Authority Web cam to
watch the boats go through the different locks.
http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.htmlhttp://www.pancanal.com/e
ng/photo/camera-java.html
We'll start on the Atlantic side at the Gatun
Locks (moving from Colon to Bilboa). Each of the
three lock chambers will raise the boat
approximately 28'until we reach the Canal's
highest elevation of 85' . The Autoridad del
Canal de Panama(ACP) requires that you have
assigned a ACP Pilot or ACP Transit Adviser on
board. Also, necessary are line handlers; two
for the bow and stern. Ideally, we would to like
have a "center tie" in the lock chamber
you can
only request but, we could very well be "side
tied" to the wall or a tug. The line handling is
very important as there's a considerable amount
of wash from the rushing water locking up or
down. From what we've read, turbulence and
current can be tremendous, requiring strength and
stamina to keep lines under tight control while
hauling them in or paying them out. If one line
slips , the hull of the boat can be thrown
against the concrete walls or steel lock gates.
We have fellow Nordhavn owner, Wayne Davis
('Envoy') on board; Veteran crew member Jose
Gutierrez arriving to board just as we pull away
from the dock
and, what could not be helped was
buddy, Steve Kellenberger (X-IBM buddy of Braun's
& veteran of the Azores to Gib leg in'04) flying
in later with hopes of rendezvousing somewhere in
between! We got the call that we were scheduled
to go
and, go we must!
That' all for now - until we reach the other side!
Best,
Tina & Braun
Consequently there is a huge
backup of yachts - wait time of well over
a month!
When I went through the Canal in 2005, an expedite fee
could be paid, which allowed me to get through about
30 hours after I arrived in Balboa, Panama. At the
time, the fee was about $2000 USD for a 60-foot boat.
Peter Stevens, a well known local agent, was very
helpful throughout. A several week delay for a yacht
delivery could be very expensive for the owner.
Does anyone know if Canal transits can still be
expedited?
Peter
Willard 36
San Francsico
--- Georgs Kolesnikovs
georgs@trawlersandtrawlering.com wrote:
From Tina Jones, co-captain of the Nordhavn 62 Grey
Pearl:
Ahoy Mateys!
The Panama Canal is experiencing an extraordinary
backup of ships wanting to transit - the worst in
its history. There are currently 131 large ships
waiting to go through. Pleasure yachts have NO
priority and the canal is only allowing 3 or 4
every other day to pass.>
Late breaking news
after diligent efforts (it's a
long story ) the Pearl has managed to nab a
precious transit spot and we will pass later
today Thurs. 3/20!!
We will start transiting about 7 pm Thursday
evening and will clear out on the Pacific side
sometime early tomorrow morning Friday 3/21.
Panama is on Central Time, one hour behind Wash.
DC.
You can watch the Pearl by going to this web site:
This is the Panama Canal Authority Web cam to
watch the boats go through the different locks.
ng/photo/camera-java.html
We'll start on the Atlantic side at the Gatun
Locks (moving from Colon to Bilboa). Each of the
three lock chambers will raise the boat
approximately 28'until we reach the Canal's
highest elevation of 85' . The Autoridad del
Canal de Panama(ACP) requires that you have
assigned a ACP Pilot or ACP Transit Adviser on
board. Also, necessary are line handlers; two
for the bow and stern. Ideally, we would to like
have a "center tie" in the lock chamber
you can
only request but, we could very well be "side
tied" to the wall or a tug. The line handling is
very important as there's a considerable amount
of wash from the rushing water locking up or
down. From what we've read, turbulence and
current can be tremendous, requiring strength and
stamina to keep lines under tight control while
hauling them in or paying them out. If one line
slips , the hull of the boat can be thrown
against the concrete walls or steel lock gates.
We have fellow Nordhavn owner, Wayne Davis
('Envoy') on board; Veteran crew member Jose
Gutierrez arriving to board just as we pull away
from the dock
and, what could not be helped was
buddy, Steve Kellenberger (X-IBM buddy of Braun's
& veteran of the Azores to Gib leg in'04) flying
in later with hopes of rendezvousing somewhere in
between! We got the call that we were scheduled
to go
and, go we must!
That' all for now - until we reach the other side!
Best,
Tina & Braun
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=======================
Peter Pisciotta
415-902-8439
When I came through in April 2006 we would have had to wait several days for
an "advisor". Instead we hired a "pilot" for $1500 if I recall correctly
(Wayne?) and went through straight away. I used Peter Stevens, as I was
quite happy with his services coming northbound in January 2001.
Hal
Does anyone know if Canal transits can still be expedited?
Peter
Willard 36
San Francsico