The weather took a dramatic turn for the day, the aftermath of the hurricanes, now far to the north still caused the gathering of heavy rain clouds and it rained cats and dogs for most of the day; occasionally accompanied by a thunder clap. Well at least what comes down today will not come down tomorrow when we are in the canal. For the canal we are expecting overcast weather which might turn to sunny around noon time and only a chance of showers in the late afternoon. As we are expecting an early transit, I have been asked to be at the sea buoy by 04.15 in the morning that rain should not affect us too much. Still we just have to wait and see. I have seldom made a PC transit without having had at least one downpour during the day. The early transit will give the guests the option to see one set of locks at Dawn, one during sun rise and one in the late morning, so at least two of them during a period that it will not be too hot. Which is a good thing, as we had several instances in the past where people simply fainted due to heat and/or dehydration.

It is going to be a whole parade otherwise with cruise ships. The Zuiderdam will be there and either before after them will be the Celebration Infinity. For the rest of course the regular gaggle of cargo ships will be present dominated by the container ships for which the Panama Canal is part of their regular worldwide route. Although more and more containers are now being transferred on both sides of the Canal. Terminals have been created in the ports of Balboa and Cristobel and the containers travel across Panama by train. It saves a lot in transfer costs as the Panama Canal fees keep going up. And of course they can keep going up as the fuel costs are rising as well. As long as it is cost effective to take the canal and not go Around South America, qua days and fuel, then the Canal is really in an all powerful position. To get to the Canal is quite a ritual. 96 hours before the expected ETA, we have to send in a whole stream of paperwork for the pre clearance. If that does not make it on time, then we might be delayed. That means that I carefully follow the activities of the Navigation Officer and the Purser who have to complete this paperwork. If the paperwork has been approved by the Panama Canal authority then, as long as we can keep our ETA, all is in order. If we cannot make our ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival) then I have to keep sending updates.

Secondly there is a whole list of items that we have to comply with, including proper working navigation equipment. Of course we have everything in good working order, but Murphy lives right behind the bridge and tries to get his finger in wherever he can, so we double check everything to be sure. On arrival Panama a Canal Technician will come on board and will check all these items and will throw a wobble if something is not working. I have not yet experienced it that a ship was stopped from going through the canal for just one item being ooo. Except one US Navy vessel a few years ago, who did not have a pilot ladder that was according to the rules. When the commander said that he did not have to comply as he was navy, the ship was sent to the anchorage and they had to go ashore to buy the approved version. Makes sense, as the pilots risk their lives by stepping on and off the ships, so they have every right to insist that the pilot ladders are in good shape and of an (internationally) approved standard.

Therefore each pilot ladder comes with a certificate and there are strict rules for maintenance and repairs to these ladders. Worldwide there are still pilots dying every year from issues with pilot ladders, so there is good reason to be careful. The Statendam carries two ladders in use and a 3rd one spare, so we can always rig a ladder on both sides of the ship at the same time. Normally we only have one ladder on the leeside but the Panamanian authorities often ask for both sides to be prepared as the “leeside” might change while the ship is maneuvering off  Balboa sea buoy while it is being cleared. Tomorrow is going to be an early one for me. I will be on the bridge by 03.15 for the initial approach and then I can only hope that the transit indeed will go according to schedule and will not last until late into the afternoon.  Not for the –sunburned- guests on the deck, nor for my poor feet for standing that long.