Update from Panama Spring 2004

Created by doina. Last modified on 2004-11-15 12:32:25
Contributors: Dave Wilson, Noonsite Correspondent
Countries: Panama

By Dave Wilson, Noonsite Correspondent

Moorings

Where to moor your boat has become a bit of a puzzle at the Pacific entrance to the Panama Canal. The Pacific Ocean entrance channel to the Canal is protected on the east by a breakwater called "The Causeway" that extends south two miles from Balboa on the mainland to three interconnected islands, Naos, Perico and Flamenco. In the past transiting yachts have been able anchor on the west side of The Causeway between Perico and Flamenco when the wind was blowing out of the east or on the east side of The Causeway when the wind is out of the south or west. The other option was to take a mooring at the Balboa Yacht Club. However, since the attacks of 9/11 the Panamanian Coast Guard (the Servicio Maritimo Nacional or SMN) had been preventing yachts from anchoring on either side making Balboa YC the only choice. Traditionally, the yachts anchored on the Causeway would move from side to side depending on the wind conditions. In recent months, there had been no yachts anchored on the west side of The Causeway and the normal group of ten to thirty yachts on the east side. Recent strong winds made that anchorage very uncomfortable or worse dangerous and one by one they moved to the west side which, though formerly forbidden, is being used as this is written on February 26th, 2004. There are now plans to put in moorings and a dinghy landing on the west side of the causeway between Perico and Flamenco.

A new option this year on the Pacific side is the Flamenco Marina inside the breakwater on the East side of the causeway between Perico and Flamenco. This marina has slowly begun adding slips and also has some moorings to offer. There are only twelve slips at this point at $1.50 a foot per day; the moorings are 50 cents a foot per day. Flamenco also has a 150 ton Travel lift if a haulout is needed. Balboa YC is available as ever at 30 cents per foot per day. Another option more used in years past was to anchor on the northeast side of Isla Taboga and take a ferry to Balboa. If the SMN runs the yachts out of both Causeway anchorages again that will be your only option for anchoring. Balboa YC still has its two marine railways for a quick haulout and bottom job.

For longer stay, the stopping spot of choice of worldwide cruisers has long been Pedro Miguel Boat Club. Inside the canal at the Pedro Miguel Locks, this friendly little club has for over 45 years welcomed cruising yachts with a safe spot to leave their boat and see Panama or travel "home" for a visit. Panama Canal Authority is not allowing yachts to stop at PMBC at this time, but the few remaining yachts at the club are still hosting the Saturday night potlucks, usually. A big pig roast is planned for the 4th of July celebration. On a last note whatever you do don't try to go up the entrance channel beyond the Bridge of the Americas that crosses the Canal at Balboa unless you are making a scheduled transit. Last year a yacht naively tried to go up the channel to Pedro Miguel Boat Club thinking they could just motor up on their own and they received a very large fine.

At the Atlantic or Caribbean entrance to the Canal the situation hasn't changed much. The choices are to anchor out in the Flats "Anchorage Area F" or the Panama Canal Yacht Club. Holding in the Flats is fair; using an anchor that holds well in soupy mud, like a Bruce or a big Danforth is best. From the flats you can dinghy in to the Panama Canal Yacht Club to do your check in/out, provision and use the Club facilities. This is probably your real choice as the PCYC has only a few transient slips from time to time. PCYC has a marine railway too.

Some time around midyear 2004 Shelter Bay Marina should be opening. Shelter Bay Marina will be in the little bay behind Punta Shelter on the west side of the Limon Bay near the west end of the break water. Shelter Bay will have floating docks for transients and shuttle service to Colon and be a great new addition for yachts visiting Panama. Update (Nov 04): The Shelter Bay Marina has ordered their docks and expect to open for business in 5 or 6 months ie the first half of 2005

Fees

It is now confirmed that the transit fee for boats up to 50 ft LOA is $US600 plus a returnable buffer fee of $US850. Boats over 50 ft LOA pay $650 and the buffer fee is $900.

According to the Panama Canal Authority 947 yachts transited the Panama Canal during 2003, which is an increase of 68 yachts over the previous year (2002) when a total of 879 pleasure craft transited the Canal.

Miscellaneous News

A 50 foot catamaran Gloria Maris boat was damaged in the Panama Canal recently. This is just a reminder that a transit of the canal can still be at times dangerous. A 50 foot catamaran was nested to a monohull center-chamber behind a very large ship leaving very little room between them and the ship and between them and the gates. When the ship started to move into the next chamber enough power was applied to send water sweeping over the decks and broke the lines holding the monohull to the wall. As a result the catamaran crashed into the wall and received quite a bit of damage.

A cruising sailor was recently bitten by a bat while sleeping. The boat name is Dreamcatcher, with Nancy and Ben Dugger aboard. They were anchored in Bahia Benao near Punta Mala. Nancy started the anti-rabies treatment when they arrived in Panama on 21 February. It may not be a bad idea to get prophylactic rabies inoculation prior to going into areas where one might be attacked by a rabid animal.