Hi all fellow yacht lovers Can anybody please tell me where to find more information on the cost and the procedure to crossing the panama canal????
Pretty simple, get an agent before arriving in panama to advise you. The vessel will be measured and fees will be calculated from that based on theoretical cargo capacity. It's a 1 day trip through the canal, very interesting and remarkable day.
What kind of agent is it and where would I find them. I read somewhere that when you are couple hours away from the canal you have to email them to let them know you will be there so and so time??? Is that correct??
This is what was said last time this question was up; http://www.yachtforums.com/forums/marinas-waypoints/6390-ca-florida-via-canal.html?
Some Good Hints This info is a few years old but is probably still current. I'd say, employ the services of an "guide" or an agent. We used a guide. Rudi I think it was. These guys are basically moonlighting taxi drivers. They can generally be trusted however. They will take you to all the offices and get all the paperwork done and will also rent you the long lines you need together with a large number of car tyres for fenders. Just pay for these even if you don't think you need them. Its the guy's livelihood. Pay the guide to come with you. Its small change, and won't hurt. People who tried to do it all themselves often took a week to do the paperwork. Ask around when you get there about advisors. DO NOT wander around in Colon unless you want to add to your list of adventures. DO NOT get into just any old local taxi. Only use the "guide" ones. Other cruisers will explain all this to you when you get there. You should probably not travel on the local busses but ask around. Do stock up on cheap booze at the freeport in Colon. The "guide" taxi drivers know how to get you and the stuff back to the boat. Do go and check out the museum at the Gatun locks and watch a big ship or two go through. Do go and check out the chart agents in Panama. Its a wonderful old place. There is a book called something like "A ship captains guide to transiting the Panama canal in a small yacht" with hazards in red. Its quite informative although when reading it remember that some yachts _do_ manage to get through the canal without being destroyed. It does explain the various lock techniques and stuff. Stay calm and don;t panic. When the first lock starts to fill the fresh water fills from the bottom and things get very turbulent it gets better. Cover hatches as the monkey fists that arrive from above have been known to smash hatches. You will probably have to wait for a few days so use the time by doing the transit as a line handler for someone else. Its a great day out and the more you know the easier your transit ! You can catch the train or a trusted taxi back (probably best not to catch the bus unless you are with your local taxi guide). When you get on the Gatun lake ask your panama canal "advisor" as opposed to the taxi driver (you only get an actual pilot if you are over about 60 foot) if maybe you could sail for a bit. You can also ask if it might be OK to take a few detours to see the wildlife (its an equatorial rainforest after all) - this may happen and it may not. Some people we knew had a "breakdown" so they could stay overnight and watch the birdlife. Remember to have fun and take loads of photos. Also remember to ask your canal advisor to make sure the various webcams are pointing at you as you go through so your friends back home can be amazed. (I think there is one at the Miraflores Lock but don't recall where the others are). Its a great day out. In fact if I lived closer I'd drop by every now and then and help out with someone's lines ! Gary
New Wider Canal, reports & photos The canal is being made bigger....here is a story and some photos: http://www.latitude38.com/lectronic/lectronicday.lasso?date=2011-03-07&dayid=553#Story5
