07 October 2012; Panama Canal, Panama.

At 04.30 we started to approach the Canal area and the weather looked good. Overcast but no thick dark clouds in the area. That meant that at least until the Continental Divide there would be no rain. Not bad for the rainy season. Instead of waiting at the sea buoy, we were directed into the anchorage area for the clearance procedures. Always interesting for the guests to see all the cargo ships at the anchorage, all lit up like Christmas trees and waiting for clearance and or bunkers. So I zigzagged slowly between them towards an empty spot, designated by Flamenco Station, which is the Control tower that regulates all the traffic in the area and lines the ships up for getting into the convoy. Below me on B deck at the pilot break, the whole circus of clearance was in progress; agent, boarding officer, fumigator (who was very disappointed, no rats or cockroaches insight) shops supplies coming on board (we had a special Panama Sale while going through) Canal technician (to see all navigation equipment was working), Canal Narrator) and finally the first pilot.

Screen shot from the Webcam at the Pedro Miguel locks. (Courtesy of Mr. Marco van den Nouland, brother of our Staff Captain)

Then we very slowly proceeded towards the first set of locks. With some Panamax ships ahead of us (max. panama lock width of 105 feet) we had to wait until they very slowly were pulled through the locks. So today no fast transit. The First lock entrance was scheduled for 08.15 and that made us go with the average speed of 4 knots towards them. Very irritating for us on the bridge, as we think that 10 knots is already extremely slow, but schedule is schedule. We were number North 19 in the Convoy of the day and behind us came 2 more ships, so the total convoy numbered 21. All these ships had to be past Gamboa by 11.45 before the southbound convoy could get through to the narrow part of the Continental divide.

To my utter amazement, the sun came out and all the clouds dissipated. To such an extent that the Canal narrator started to get worried and made announcements about head coverings and sunblock. Only when we came to the last –Gatun- locks it started to get dark and threatening on both sides of the locks but for some unknown reason the rain never touched the ship itself. Not that I minded that. With rain, comes wind, and that I do not like when squeezing in and out of the locks, but overcast skies were welcome as it stopped the sun from burning down on the guests.

The atlantic locks are in a location where earlier escavations already took place, (photo from internet.)

This day was for the guests a very good crossing as it showed them the Panama Canal in all its variations. The whole cycle of weather, (without getting wet); a large variation of ships all around, and a steady transfer through the canal without having to anchor or being delayed in any other way. The new locks were clearly visible as the concrete sides of the lock chambers are going up. Today I could see for the first time how the locks will be angled in relation to the Canal. The new locks at the Pacific Side (north of the Miraflores locks) are going to be right in line with the Bridge of the America’s and that takes two bends out of the Canal for the large ships. At the Atlantic side (south of the Gatun locks) the locks are on the side of the Gatun lake anchorage area and it is not exactly clear how they are going to arrange the approach route there, as it is normally full with ships at anchor. I think they will still have to dredge part of an island away.

We were out of the last locks by 15.30 and then the circus at the Pilot break started again with everything going the other way. By 16.00 we came outside into the Caribbean Sea. A very nice time, as it did not upset the schedule of entertainment and church services on board and it pleased me, as it meant I did not have to go full out on the engines to make Oranjestad Aruba on time the day after tomorrow.

As we are in the lull of the last weather front here (remember the wind in Tehantepec) we will have a nearly wind still morning tomorrow and we will come under the influence of the Trade winds, resulting in a breezy day in Oranjestad.