Atlantic to Pacific -- The Transit
01 May 2011 | Panama City, Panama
Peter
We did it! We transited the Canal and after the 2-day tranist, arrived in Panama City around 1530 this afternoon. But the transit was not without a few stories to tell!
We were told to leave the Shelter Bay Marina two hours early and arrive in a staging area for small yachts called "The Flats" and await for an ACP Advisor to join us. Frerighters and big yachts get Pilots; we get Advisors. Around 1630 yesterday an ACP launch comes out to "The Flats" anchorage and drops off an Advisor to each of the five or so boats anchored there. However, the launch got too close to our boat and his bow came down on our lifeline in the choppy conditions and bent a stanchion. I didn't notice it and wasn't told about it until late that evening. Probably just as well or maybe it would have put me in a bad mode or I might have gotten 'spooked' that the transit was jinxed.
As it was, we motored over to the Gatun Locks with our Advisor and s/v 'Eleanor'. Eleanor is a US-flagged C&C 115 hailing from none other than....Renton, WA. The irony of this situation immediately unfolded in front of me as I realized we had spent two years traveling half way around the world only to transit the Panama Canal with a sailboat that hails from a town FIVE BLOCKS from where I live!! Too funny.
It turns out they were a great bunch of folk -- Scott and his 3 kids and a boyfriend of the daughter. We got through the three Gatun Locks safely enough with our (bigger) boat doing most of the driving and steering. We arrived from the third and final lock into Gatun Lake and it was already well into nighttime. We were instructed to tie up to a large mooring ball (normally used by freighters) and soon Eleanor joined us on the other side of the ball.
There were three more sailboats that came through the locks after us and one of them, a Baba 35, rafted up next to Eleanor. We had met the owner, Jason, at Novey's Hardware Store in Colon several weeks earlier. Small workd. eh? Well, it's even smaller cuz Jason is delivering his boat home back to Portland, OR!! So here are three boats all tied up to this one mooring and all three are from the Pacific Northwest!!
The following morning (starting at 0630) we motored the 30 nm or so through Gatun Lake looking for crocodiles. All we saw were a few iguanas, but it was still a fun day. Jiim Wood, who grew up as a kid (and an adult) in these parts, was simply amped to the max. It was a ton of fun helping to bring so much enjoyment and good memories back to him. His wife, Sue, was equally impressed and shared in Jim's excitement. She has been a real 'pal' to Ruth and I wouldn't be surprised if those two continue to stay in touch well after this experience.
Meanwhile Jerry was helping Jim handle the bow lines in the locks while Laura worked the stern line. It was fun (and funny) to watch Laura haul the line in using the winch. That girl would just get down to it with these long power strokes to retrieve the floating 7/8" polypro line and bring it aboard. Ruth was busy keeping me (and the Advisor) fueled up on food and drink while Will simply nursed his bad foot.
He managed to get one of the no-see-um bites infected, but not as bad as Ruth's got. Nevertheless, I have sworn not to leave Panama City until I can feel confident it is healed. I don't need to be sailing up some jungle coast with his foot flaming away!! Ruth, on the other hand, went to see a doctor in Colon who stuck her with antibiotics not once but twice in an area she would rather not discuss!! He also left here some antibiotic cream and her feet are gradually improving. She flies out in a few days, so I hope things gain some momentum!
Meanwhile. today's transit was a little more dull for me as I didn't have much to do. They rafted Time Warp up with a 48' cutter in the middle and Eleanor on the other side for a 3-way raft. The center boat did most/all of the steering, so we were spectators. It was kinda nice having the day off, so to speak.
The locks are not being maintained to the level the U.S. kept them. But they are still operating quite well and it is obvious the investment the Panamanian government has made in the system. In addition, they are building a third locking system for supertankers only and the evidence of that massive project is everywhere.
Now we are in Pacific waters! Will mentioned how Time Warp has traveled two oceans (Atlantic & Pacific), two seas (Mediterranean & Caribbean) and two lakes (Gatun & Miraflores)!!! We'll spend the next couple of days sorting out provisions and getting ready for the long slog home.