Day Two Transit!
02 December 2021
• San Carlos, Panama
by Melissa Kenshalo • Rainy
November 16-17, 2021
Photo courtesy of Ellen Hall
Morning came too early. Our new advisor joined us at 7am for the second day of our Canal transit. Vessels who cannot maintain a rate of speed of 10 knots per hour are scheduled to their Panama Canal passage over two days. The first of Harold's Canal facts and trivia quizzes began right after introductions. "How many pumps are there in the locks?" (None. It is a gravity fed system.) How many times has the Canal been closed?" (Four). We had fun with the trivia. On our 3-hour journey across Gatun Lake it was hard to distinguish some of the buoys and lighthouses that were painted black. (Do you know why they are black?) Huge cargo vessels and tankers passed each other. The most common type cargo vessel during our passage carried hazardous materials--primarily natural gas and other petroleum products.
The Canal Authority radioed Harold that we needed to moor on a sea buoy at Gamboa, just before Gaillard or Culebra Cut. During 2020, the amount of traffic for LPG and LNG vessels increased as well as the tonnage of these vessels. We watched as a very large closed LPG (natural gas) tanker passed. The Canal Authority remains very safety conscious and has not allowed two-way traffic. Culebra Cut is the narrowest section of the canal. During construction there were many land and rock slides at Gold Hill where the canal crosses the Continental Divide. The Canal has been widened and deepened to accommodate two-way ship traffic many times.
As we approached the Centennial Bridge, we sensed the final locks. Around 2 pm we entered the Pedro Miguel Locks, centered ourselves, and waited for our partner vessel, Glovis Chorus. All four of us worked confidently to manage the tension of the lines and to keep Dancing on the Edge centered in the chamber. We were excited because the South Korean flagged Glovis Chorus would be behind us. Here are some facts and figures about the vessel--200m (656ft long), 32m (105ft beam), draught 8.9m (29ft). The mules secured our lock mate and lowered us about 30ft into the artificial lake. We quickly motored across the lake to enter the final locks.
The Miraflores Locks are two sets of gates that open and close at the same time. Because of the extreme tidal ranges in the Pacific Ocean, the gates are the tallest in the Canal. Captain Dan smoothly drove us into the final lock. The water swirled, wind built and rain threatened as we waited for our lock mate. It took Clovis Chorus a very long time to move through the lock. Everyone called family, sent text messages, and boisterously waved at the live webcam. The visitors at the Miraflores Canal Center soon tired of our antics! Friends and families sent photos of Dancing on the Edge from their perspective. We talked with family members as we waited. We texted photos with each other from family and friends. We were giddy with excitement.
Once again the mules secured Glovis Chorus behind us. What's 63 yards (189ft) between friends? The lock began to drain. We watched as the gates opened sooner than expected--high tide! We descended 84 ft. over three locks. Swirling tidal Pacific water mixed with fresh water from Gatun Lake. Dancing on the Edge is in the Pacific Ocean!
We motored past the Balboa Container Harbor. Dancing on the Edge and her crew passed under the Bridge of the Americas to complete her transit of the Panama Canal--North to South. We bid good bye to Harold, our advisor, and secured a mooring ball at Balboa Yacht Club after an 8 hr. journey. We had crazy big smiles. We puffed out our chests. We high five and hug. We toasted each other and our crew. We accomplished our transit. We have memories for a lifetime. What a journey!
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