Panama Canal Transit: A Great Day Out!

Created by doina. Last modified on 2003-03-17 11:56:24
Countries: Panama

Generally the whole process was much easier than we expected. The taxi drivers at the Colon end, Panama Yacht Club, are the best way to get all paperwork, shopping etc done. Rudi and Stanley are the best. They can organise linehandlers, lines, tyres etc. The one bad piece of news is Ernesto Cooper, one of the Advisers, ie junior pilots, that works the yachts through. He is rude, overbearing and brought a cockroach in his bag onto our boat. We are not alone in disliking him. Everyone does. He demands bottled water in sealed bottles. He told us, having turned up over an hour late, that if we did not have it he would send the launch for some. Cost $200. It is not possible to refuse an adviser but I suggest mentioning your dislike of him to the schedulers who are very helpful.

The cost of the transit is $600 plus $55 per professional line handler plus $15 per line hired and $3 per wrapped tyre fender. The line handlers do not spend the night onboard if you do not make it thru in one day. I strongly recommend taking at least one professional handler and probably two especially if you have not transited before. The Advisers make a point of saying they like this so it is several points up if they come and find a handler on board.

It is a great day out!

David Ridout