Panama Canal Transit - Part 3

Thursday, 31 January 2019

Gatun Locks

Entering the Gatun Locks, we were back with our old friend, the tanker.

For unknown (to me) reasons, small ships are always in the ocean-side end of the locks. So this time we went first. It was unnerving to see this enormous ship approach our small boat and come to a stop just 10 feet or so away from our stern.

Yes, ships do sometimes hit the lock gates. You can see several dents in the gates where the bow of a ship has made contact with the gates.

The Canal is showing its age. The canal walls sometimes leak.

While the gates are closed, some maintenance can be done.

The double gates are opening.

Leaving the last of the Gatun Locks. The Atlantic Bridge is under construction in the background.

Looking back at the entrance to the northern (Caribbean) locks. The entrance channel to the new Agua Clara Locks is on the left, and the channel to the Gatun Locks is on the right.

Limon Bay and Colon

Passing under the Atlantic Bridge and into Limon Bay.

The container port near Colon in action.

Colon, the city on the Caribbean end of the Canal is a far cry from Panama City. The climate here is much rainier and not as pleasant as the Pacific side, so it has never been a preferred location. Colon is currently undergoing much-needed renovation and hopes to be a good tourist destination in a few years.