Panama Canal Passage

Transiting the canal in 2013.

Jenny and the 5 o'clock sign
Jenny, always hopeful
Panama canal fenders
Dirk and Silvie, perfect deck apes! :)
sailboat Elysium in her Shelter Bay slip
Elysium, patiently waiting the transit
Shelter bay at sunset
The night before
First Panama Canal anchorage
Dirk, eying the anchorage
Advisor and Dirk chatting
Dirk, chatting up the advisor
motoring to the first lock
Heading to the first lock
New Panama Canal Lock Doors
Gates for the new and improved canal
Wendy at the helm
Wendy at the helm
entering the first lock
Entering the first lock
Lock doors are closing
Doors closing! No turning back.
water boiling in the locks
Rising water
Searching for our nights mooring
Locating the nights mooring
Dirk tying us up
Dirk tying us up.
Moring on Lake Gatun
Morning on Lake Gatun
the advisor jumps aboard
Our advisor arrives
Wend takes a break
Wendy taking a needed break
Canal Bouy
Canal Bouy
transiting the waterway
Entering the Narrows
Silvie finding shade
Silvie hiding from the Sun
entering Miraflores lock
The last lock
side tieing to a ship
We side tied to a ship
checking lines tied in the lock
Deck Apes checking the lines
Above the Pacific in the canal
The end is near
Dirk and Silvie managing the bow lines
Dirk and Silvie handle the bow lines
the Panama Canal advisor working hard
Life of an advisor is tough!
a tanker sliding in behind us
Scary, watching this come in behind
Wendy is ready to go
Wendy is ready to go.
Elysium's first look at the Pacific
Elysium's first look at the Pacific
Casting off for the final leg
Time to cast off
a bird watches the action
A birds eye view
Leaving Miraflores behind
Leaving Miraflores
Miraflores locks and tourist center
Miraflores lock and tourist center
Bridge of he Americas
Bridge of the Americas
celebrating a succesful transit
A celebration!
Pacific paradise
Ah... Paradise

Help Wanted

When we spoke to our cruising friends about the need for extra line handlers on the boat three of them responded immediately "I'm In!" Dirk and Silvie had already transited in during their circumnavigation and Jenny (another WS 42 Owner) was keen to help. We all knew each other and felt it was a good mix.

As with any visitors to Elysium they not only become guests but "mules". Carrying supplies needed to keep Elysium healthy and afloat. (No - there wasn't any alcohol. :) ) But bags of supplies were appreciatively brought. A new navigation light was needed prior to the transit.

A trip to the city for supplies, a couple days rest and off we went to sharing a great experience. Day one found us transiting at night and Day 2 found us in the Pacific. To avoid repetition I have greater detail in the Blog.