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Panama Canal
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Updated September 20 2023
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Panama Canal Schedule
Emerald Princess Transit September 01 2023
Recent posts
#1
Panama Canal Transits / Re: Pacific World (Peace Boat)...
Last post by Carolyn Jane - September 22, 2023, 08:30:20 PMNow expecting to be in Ocho Rios 9/24. CJ
#2
Memorable Transits and Cams / Re: Emerald Princess Transit S...
Last post by Chris in Inuvik - September 22, 2023, 04:02:57 PMWell, it seems that black cloud followed you on your trip.
Hope you are feeling better.
Best cure for broken ribs is a comfy chair on the deck of a cruise ship.
Doesn't matter where, but an adult beverage (or 6) will have a positive effect on healing.
Thanks for the post, Phil - Interesting and informative.
Chris in Inuvik
Hope you are feeling better.
Best cure for broken ribs is a comfy chair on the deck of a cruise ship.
Doesn't matter where, but an adult beverage (or 6) will have a positive effect on healing.
Thanks for the post, Phil - Interesting and informative.
Chris in Inuvik
#3
Panama Canal Transits / Re: Pacific World (Peace Boat)...
Last post by Manuela - September 22, 2023, 02:39:48 PMTaking it slow!
#4
Panama Canal Transits / Re: Pacific World (Peace Boat)...
Last post by Carolyn Jane - September 22, 2023, 02:38:36 PMFinally made it to Gatun Locks. A day late and a dollar short...
#5
Panama Canal Transits / Re: Pacific World (Peace Boat)...
Last post by Carolyn Jane - September 21, 2023, 11:07:05 AMPedro Miguel
#6
Panama Canal Transits / Re: Pacific World (Peace Boat)...
Last post by Carolyn Jane - September 21, 2023, 08:46:14 AMMiraflores Locks
#7
Memorable Transits and Cams / Re: Emerald Princess Transit S...
Last post by Phil - September 20, 2023, 10:38:58 PMI have done 3.
I did Fairwind on Sitmar in 1984 which was a Gatun Locks/Lake only leaving late at night.
I did Caribbean Princess in May 2022 and now Emerald.
The new dock at Fuerte Amador will be something else when finished. Right now you are bussed from the ship to the local mall nearby.
I did Fairwind on Sitmar in 1984 which was a Gatun Locks/Lake only leaving late at night.
I did Caribbean Princess in May 2022 and now Emerald.
The new dock at Fuerte Amador will be something else when finished. Right now you are bussed from the ship to the local mall nearby.
#8
Memorable Transits and Cams / Re: Emerald Princess Transit S...
Last post by Manuela - September 20, 2023, 09:56:36 PMThanks for the pictures, Phil. Canal transits are always interesting and informative.
How many times have you done it?
How many times have you done it?
#9
Memorable Transits and Cams / Emerald Princess Transit Septe...
Last post by Phil - September 20, 2023, 09:47:15 PMToday September 02 2023 I transited the New Locks on Emerald Princess.
It was an early call at 0530 to be ready to go under the Bridge of Americas that I just missed last time.
Yesterday was stinking hot and by that I mean about 34°C and about 85-90% humidity. Today it was high overcast with no rain and the humidity way down.
Once under the bridge we sprinted for deck 14 forward to get our view of the first half of the transit as the doors opened at 6. This time chairs had been set-up for those in front to allow people in behind to see over them.
Right Click on any photo to open in a new tab for larger version
Bridge of Americas awaits.
National Geographic Islander in Drydock
These cranes are owned/run by the Chinese
Cocoli Locks on the left and Miraflores on the right.
Please that Cocoli locks is a set of 3 locks and Miraflores is a set of 2 locks.
ship behind us headed for Miraflores Locks
Note the retention ponds on the right. This saves water for each and every transit. While there is still a water shortage at this time it would be far worse if these [ponds did not exist. On the the Historic Locks the water is lost to the sea.
Ships lines fore and aft are sent to shore where they are anchored and the ship is held in the centre of the lock.
Now the gates are open we are at the height of Gatun lake or 88 feet above sea level.
Miraflores locks over on the right side
Miraflores Visitor centre in the distant view
Pedro Miguel Locks that bring the ship up to the level of Gatun lake
one of the dredges to keep the canal bottom deep enough
what was our seats to the left
Panamanian Prison along the canal
Panamanian Prison along the canal
Charges River feeding Gatun Lake
Titan the crane used to do work on the doors in the locks
new model crane
looking down the cut
First southbound ship we meet
Gatun locks straight ahead and Agua Clara locks to the right
entering Agua Clara Locks
We are even with the top of the locks here but when we move into the next set we will be way above and then come down even with the top
Agua Clara Locks control centre
we are above the side of the canal
That is a bulls eye they use to practice throwing the ropes. The person throwing missed a few times and I guess he was taken over for re-training.
now we are even after the water is discharged back into the holding ponds
note the damage the canal has had in it's short life
stairs missing - we did notice many bumpers missing in the locks and it is like they are not maintaining the locks very well.
is that ladder bent?
same ladder, but now appears to be straight?
we are now even with the final wall
3 pilot boats came alongside to get the workers off the ship. 16 of them to handle the lines and 3 pilots
second pilot boat in for pick-up
Atlantic Bridge
going under the Atlantic bridge into the Caribbean Sea
some ships waiting on the Atlantic side
We were told this cruise cost Princess roughly $535,000 USD to make this transit. A freighter recently paid $2.1 million for a transit.
It was an early call at 0530 to be ready to go under the Bridge of Americas that I just missed last time.
Yesterday was stinking hot and by that I mean about 34°C and about 85-90% humidity. Today it was high overcast with no rain and the humidity way down.
Once under the bridge we sprinted for deck 14 forward to get our view of the first half of the transit as the doors opened at 6. This time chairs had been set-up for those in front to allow people in behind to see over them.
Right Click on any photo to open in a new tab for larger version
Bridge of Americas awaits.
National Geographic Islander in Drydock
These cranes are owned/run by the Chinese
Cocoli Locks on the left and Miraflores on the right.
Please that Cocoli locks is a set of 3 locks and Miraflores is a set of 2 locks.
ship behind us headed for Miraflores Locks
Note the retention ponds on the right. This saves water for each and every transit. While there is still a water shortage at this time it would be far worse if these [ponds did not exist. On the the Historic Locks the water is lost to the sea.
Ships lines fore and aft are sent to shore where they are anchored and the ship is held in the centre of the lock.
Now the gates are open we are at the height of Gatun lake or 88 feet above sea level.
Miraflores locks over on the right side
Miraflores Visitor centre in the distant view
Pedro Miguel Locks that bring the ship up to the level of Gatun lake
one of the dredges to keep the canal bottom deep enough
what was our seats to the left
Panamanian Prison along the canal
Panamanian Prison along the canal
Charges River feeding Gatun Lake
Titan the crane used to do work on the doors in the locks
new model crane
looking down the cut
First southbound ship we meet
Gatun locks straight ahead and Agua Clara locks to the right
entering Agua Clara Locks
We are even with the top of the locks here but when we move into the next set we will be way above and then come down even with the top
Agua Clara Locks control centre
we are above the side of the canal
That is a bulls eye they use to practice throwing the ropes. The person throwing missed a few times and I guess he was taken over for re-training.
now we are even after the water is discharged back into the holding ponds
note the damage the canal has had in it's short life
stairs missing - we did notice many bumpers missing in the locks and it is like they are not maintaining the locks very well.
is that ladder bent?
same ladder, but now appears to be straight?
we are now even with the final wall
3 pilot boats came alongside to get the workers off the ship. 16 of them to handle the lines and 3 pilots
second pilot boat in for pick-up
Atlantic Bridge
going under the Atlantic bridge into the Caribbean Sea
some ships waiting on the Atlantic side
We were told this cruise cost Princess roughly $535,000 USD to make this transit. A freighter recently paid $2.1 million for a transit.
#10