The Panama Canal

In my haste to describe the early stages of the race to Jamaica, I inadvertently missed out any information on the Panama Canal. I had not done a lot of research on this before I left, but had seen some coverage on TV of the work being undertaken to widen the canal to take even larger ships.

We slipped our lines at the marina at 6.30am and made our way out to sea to meet up with two more Clipper yachts. The area is a little like an NCP car park for all sizes of vessels

There is a wide channel marked for the approach and a couple of very large container ships approached as we circled waiting for our pilot to arrive at 8.30. The plan was for us to go through the locks as three boats rafted up together, PSP Logistics in the middle flanked by Quingdao and ourselves.

Each boat has to have a pilot aboard, whether you are 70ft long in our case or over 900ft long with some of the biggest vessels. Our pilot was Edgar who was a high ranking pilot of 17 years experience. He had previously been a captain on vessels for BP and had done much of his studying in the north west of England where he gained his captain's ticket.

At our allotted time, ( our slot was at 11am) we started up the channel in single file. I was absolutely delighted when our skipper asked me to take the helm and to take us under the Americas Bridge which is the only vehicular connection between North and South America.

As we continued further, a massive container port opened up on our starboard side. The two large vessels ahead of us had docked here for unloading. This container port had been put out on a lease basis by Panama and currently China have the 20 year lease. Edgar informed us that they had outbid the US by a considerable margin.

We then made our way towards the Miraflores Locks. As we approached, we rafted up together and the skipper of PSP took control of "the raft". The enormity of the locks then became evident. As they opened, we were thrown lines by men on the lock sides and we attached our lines to thes so that they could take them up and secure us to the lock sides. The pilot's guidance was critical here as the incoming water to lift us created swirling eddies in the lock which could throw us against the lock walls. Once secure, we were joined in the lock by a magnificent three master. The pilot's schedule stated that she was a warship. She was actually the training ship for the Argentinian Navy. At this point we were being lifted. For larger vessels, rather than men manhandling our lines, there were donkeys on each side of the lock to pull the vessels into position. They were like small locomotives working on a rack and pinion like mechanism.

On the left hand side of the lock was the control building, proudly displaying the dates, 1914 - 2014 to celebrate the 100th year of the canal. This was repeated at each lock and what a special feeling it gave us to transit the canal in this anniversary year.

Once we had been lifted and the massive gates opened, we then proceeded to the Pedro Miguel Locks to be raised even further. Again all the careful positioning was done. We marvelled at the size of some of the ships coming through the locks in the opposite direction. Huge car transporters designed specifically for the canal. In size, we felt like the flea on the camel's back.

Again we exited the locks and moved into a wider channel. The three yachts were released from each other and motored on in single file. At this point, the 'canal' becomes more like a wide river until you come to the Gatun Lake. Rivers and waterways branch off on each side and we see large vessels anchored up awaiting their time to be called through or to discharge goods at a number of unloading bays or terminals. The surroundings are beautiful with rainforests sweeping down to the shores of the lake. We see birdlife but did not spot any of the many crocodiles that inhabit this area.

A number of our crew get hoisted up the mast to view the scenery and for some to take photographs.

We motor for several hours across the lake until it is time to raft up again for our final set of locks, the Gatun Locks which will lower us down to the level of the Caribbean and Atlantic seas and ocean.

By the time we exit, it is dark and we leave the canal at 7pm, disengage the three boats and make our way through another ' car park' of vessels, all lit up and head for Shelter Bay Marina. Spotting the lit marker buoys for this is difficult amongst the many other lights but we end our day safely. Edgar had been transferred to a pilots vessel after the last docks and was probably at home before we moored up.

During our journey through, we saw evidence of all the new work going on to build new channels and locks to accommodate the new, huge super liners that will use the Panama Canal and which will increase efficiency and safety of passage.

I have not included all the data on heights and lengths of locks, the managment of water and other factors. I encourage you to do a little research on the internet to obtain these facts and to marvel at the way the canal was built, but also to acknowledge the huge death toll during its construction.

I have been so lucky to have seen this place and in its 100th year and will follow its further development with interest.

Next time, I will let you know more details about the race to Jamaica.

Presentation of the third place pennant