Panama Canal Updates

Created by doina. Last modified on 2002-11-20 11:14:36
Contributors: Craig Owings, Commodore, Pedro Miguel Yacht Club
Countries: Panama

Concerning Mr. Muraccioli's advice on up-locking (Suggestions for Safety of Yachts in Canal Transit ) I must stress that it would be foolish to try to side-wall on an up lockage .... First you are BEHIND the ship and the ship will use its main propulsion most of the time to move from lock to lock causing center chamber turbulence that could easily stove in the hull of the typically built modern yacht. Second the turbulence of a chamber fill can do the same thing.

I am in accord with sidewall for down lockages, rafted or unrafted, as you are in front of the ship and the water is draining from the lock so there is no turbulence.

Some information of interest to cruising yachts:

Straight from the Marine Director of the Authoridad del Canal de Panama

a) 1. In the present tolls proposal we have not included any increase in the fees or tolls that apply to handline small crafts. Vessels with 125 feet LOA and over, that use locomotives (therefore not a handline vessel), will be additionally charged the $200 per wire fee. There are very few vessels in this category. 07/22/2002

b) 1) There are no propose tolls increases to the handline vessels.

2) There is a security charge of $50 that went into effect in June which is not related to the tolls.

3) Since May 2002, Interrupted transits for handlines are subject to being charged $440. This charge will partially offset our costs of having to reassign a pilot at a later date to continue with the transit. Interruptions that are the result of ACP scheduling and are not in any way caused by the handline vessel will not trigger a charge to the vessel.

4) Bear in Mind that in November 2001 the mooring charge for handlines was reduced from $300 to $50 per day. 07/21/2002

c) Your information on the two "canal" yacht clubs and the one boat club is a bit mis-stated. The Balboa Yacht Club has recently been awarded water rights for the area currently occupied, including the foundation of the old club house ..... there are no plans to move the location.

The Panama Canal has a current lease with the Panama Ports organization that has 16 months to run and neither side has indicated that the lease will not be renewed. Additionally the PCYC has completed their Linton Annex facility in Linton near Isla Grande on the Colon - San Blas sailing route. Fuel is available.

The Pedro Miguel Boat Club is still in place, and intends to remain in its current location until such time as a new suitable location is designated and the facility moved to a better location. Pedro Miguel Boat Club is sponsoring a SailMail transmitter site making easy connections to the system for vessels in the lower Caribbean and eastern Pacific.

d) To the contrary, yachters have more places to stay than before with the opening of the Flamenco Yacht Club on the Pacific side of Panama at the end of the canal causeway. They are a full service marina and the only facility in Panama with "duty free" fuel for foreign yachts in transit; a significant savings on fuel costs.

Additionally there are 3 more yacht club/marina facilities in the development stages on the Pacific side and two on the Atlantic side of Panama.

Craig Owings, Commodore, Pedro Miguel Boat Club