The Canal Transit

We arrived at the canal on 4/2 and were lucky enough to get a center tie slot, meaning we had 4 lines and could stay in the middle and did not have to raft up with anyone.

Our pilot, "Astro" was great.  He was super friendly and helpful.

When you enter the canal the line handlers on shore throw a light line with a "monkey fist" over your boat and then you attach your lines and they pull your heavy line over and secure it to a bollard.

Erik, Erin, Nils, and Darrel were stationed on each corner while I drove and Jennifer took photos.

As the water rose, the lines were reeled in to keep us centered.

Everything went well and we were through in record time.

The pilot said that we could go through in the night and do it in one day, but we wanted to seek Lake Gatun, so we moored up, drank tequila, and fished.

We are resting up at the Trump Tower in Panama City and I will post a bunch more when I am not beat.

Mike