Cruising Report On Panama

Created by doina. Last modified on 2007-04-16 12:52:07
Countries: Panama

North of the canal

We first cleared in to Panama at Isla Porvenir at the western end of the San Blas Islands. Here we got a cruising permit for both the San Blas and Panama. In Panama you have to clear the boat into each port. After three fantastic days in the islands we sailed for Colon. When you are within 8 miles of the breakwater you have to call Cristobal Signal on VHF channel 12 and ask permission to enter the breakwater and advise them of your intended mooring.

There are three options for mooring in Bahia Limon. The Flats (anchorage F) south west of the Panama Canal Yacht Club (PCYC) this is where you will eventually pick up your canal adviser / pilot. The flats are a five minute tender ride to the PCYC.

The PCYC has two or three fixed wooden docks and some stern to moorings. It is where you will clear in if you have not been to the San Blas Islands. It has an air conditioned bar and you get a taxi from the front gate into town. But if you expect a yacht club which requires you to wear a blazer and tie to enter you will be very surprised the facilities are very basic. It is within walking distance from Colon but this is no benefit as Colon has a high crime rate and it is not advised to walk into town certainly on your own or at night. Its proximity to town has presented security problems for the boats in the past.

The third option is Shelter Bay. This is the one we used this time (having used both others before). It is on the west side of the bay just inside of the breakwater on the side of the old US navy base Fort Sherman. The marina was started in 1999 they are finishing off the third set of floating docks and have new facilities. I don’t think they have any fueling facilities but they do have good water, electric, free WI-FI and can get gas bottles filled up. It is not a big marina so booking is advisable. It is surrounded by rain forest and abandoned forts guarded by the Panamanian Navy. It is very safe and a five minute walk will take you into the rain forest with lots of animals to be seen. As it is on the west of the canal to get to any shops you have to take a taxi across the Gatun Lock this normally takes about 40 minutes with a 10 minute wait at the locks but you can wait up to an hour.

There are two big supermarkets near Colon that are good for food and supplies. There are no Marine shops but some items can be found in hardware stores. Panama City in the south is a very big city and I only found one chandlery which only catered for sports fishing boats which was close to the marina. Most things can be found from non-marine specialists there are companies that work with engines, water-makers, refrigeration/air con and hydraulics but you will need to talk to an agent or marina manager to find them.

The Canal

Although you can transit the canal without an Agent I would recommend one if you want to get through quickly and with minimal hassle. They can be used to sort everything out in Panama or just the canal itself. We used one called Peter Stevens who I also used last time.

The first thing that has to be done is getting admeasured. Some one will come and measure the overall length of the boat from pulpit to furthest aft extremity inc davits etc. then they will ask if you have: 4 lines 125 foot (38m) long 7/8″ - 1 1/2″ diameter with a 3 foot loop in one end with no knots or joints in the length. (Normally rented); Adequate fenders (tires can be rented); Anchor ready to drop; Whistle or Horn; Working Toilet; Food and water for the Canal Advisor; Shelter from sun and rain for Canal Advisor; Four line handlers; One helmsperson.

Then they will ask you how you would like to transit. This is a preference - you may find on the day that you have to go through by a different method.

Center Chamber

This is as it sounds in the center of the lock with two lines to each side. You may be rafted up with other yachts. But you can ask to go through alone.

Side Wall

This is with two lines attached to the one wall with your fenders holding you off. Not normally an option taken up by yachts.

Alongside a tug

This is when you tie up to a vessel that is moored side wall normally large commercial vessel.

The next form to be signed is the Handline Undertaking to release and indemnify. This form will identify some of the items on the yacht that are not to the canal standards (standard made for ships). You will have to sign to say that you are aware that the yacht does not comply and you still wish to proceed and will not hold the canal authorities responsible for any damages.

The costs are as follows: Length as measured in feet: Up to 50 $600 ; 50 to 80 $850; 80 to 100 $1100; Over 100 $1600

If you are not using an agent you will have to pay a deposit of $850 in case of any delays or damages. This will be refunded 2 to 3 weeks after a successful transit. If the vessel is over 65 foot it must have an AIS system. Or one will need to be rented for $150.

Once all the above is dealt with you will be able to book a slot to transit.

The southbound transits normally start around 16:00 from the flats.

If there is the opportunity to go as a line handler for someone else a couple of days before it always helps to see it first hand.

On the day of the transit you should call Cristobal Signal and confirm the time. I would aim to get to the flats an hour before the pilot pick up time. Delays are common and the pilot may be an hour late. Just make sure Cristobal Signal know you are ready and waiting.

Once the canal advisor is aboard you will proceed to the first set of locks. If you are going through as a raft, you will be nested just before the locks so ask the advisor so you can get the lines ready before the boats come together. Communication is very important from here on.

A big ship will normally go in before you and it will be getting dark.

You will motor into the lock and throw lines will be thrown down to attach the loops at the end of your line to when you are almost in place the lines will be pulled ashore and put on bollards. Now it is up to the line handlers to work together to keep the boats straight pulling in the slack. The helm can help with the engine but gently and bow thruster if one is fitted. Putting the aft lines to the winches can make things easier especially if they are electric but don’t over tighten them just take in the slack.

Keep the lines on tight till the ship in front has started his engines as there will be some prop wash. Then the line handlers ashore will ask for slack and take them off the bollards. The line handlers on the boat will pull them back in with the throw lines still attached so as the boat moves from one lock to the next they will walk alongside with the throw lines. Once in the next lock it will be the some routine again by the third it will be second nature.

On leaving the locks the advisor will guide you to a buoy it will be a big buoy about 6 foot across and quite stable to stand on. They ask you to tie alongside the buoy there will probably be another boat on the other side. A launch will come to take the Advisor off as you will have a different one tomorrow.

Day Two

They will tell you to be ready at 6:30 to set off on the 28 mile trip through the lake to the next locks. But you will probably not see them till 7:30 - 8:00. The locks on the Pacific side come in two sets, one lock and then two. The procedure is the same but you are letting the lines out. On entering the last lock there is quite a strong current up to 4 knots so keep an eye on the speed through the water as well as over the ground. This is caused by the mixing of fresh and salt water. Once the last lock gate opens you are looking out on the Pacific. You still have 8 miles of channel before getting to the Balboa Yacht Club where you can pick up a mooring or carry on and anchor once clear of the channel. There is also the Flamenco marina, we stayed in the marina for a couple of days to get some work done and stock up the boat. But found the marina had a lot of swell / surge and found it more comfortable at anchor. But they have fuel, water, electricity and wi-fi. So very useful for a couple of days to stock up.

That is about it for Panama but if you are going to the Galapagos then you should get a fumigation certificate and a Autografo if you want to see more than one island.

Useful numbers

Agents

Peter Stevens (we used and would recommend), Delfino Maritime Mob: +507 67 357 356 (best) Office: +507 26 119 31 Email: delfinomaritime@hotmail.com

Tina McBride Yacht Services, Tel: +507 228 8056 Mob: +507 6637 2999 Email: tinamc@sinfo.net Web: www.panamacanaltransits.com

Marinas

Shelter Bay Marina Tel: +507 433 3581 Mob: +507 6613 1558 Email: info@shelterbaymarina.com Web: www.shelterbaymarina.com

Flamenco Yacht Club & Marina Tel: +507 314 0932 Email: marina@fuerteamador.com

Other

Taxi Alonso Tel: +507 6517 9883; Helped us find parts for the boat charged an hourly rate. Very good.

PROTECSA (hydraulic specialists) did some work on our vane, Robert Souter Tel: +507 661 293 66.

Comercializadora de Lubricantes de Panama (oils) Xenia de Vargas Tel: +507 260 6909 Address: Edificio Plaza Leon Ave. Ricardo J. Alfaro Local #2 Apartado # 860103 usma.

Hydromundo (water-maker parts) Desmond C. Coates Tel: +507 265 4158 Email: hydromdo@sinfo.net Address: Via Argentina y Calle 55, Deificio #71 Apdo. 7053 Zona 5, Panama.

Luke Windle (Captain)

Moonraker