22-25 June 2012

22/6/2012


The time has at last arrived for us to transit the canal. Roy Bravo brought
the two extra line handlers at about 14:30, so we cast off from the finger
and set off to the 'Flats Anchorage'. Trying to anchored proved interesting
when the windlass won't work. Turned out not to be a problem as all it to be
was the overload switch, but just as we had sorted it out the Advisor,
Fernando, arrived and off we set for the first of the Gatun locks. We were
rafted up to another catamaran and entered the lock behind a cargo boat -
one of the smaller ones compared to the Panamax vessels, which filled the
lock completely. The lock is 110ft wide the Panmax are 105ft beam. Rafting
up released Rob and George from line handling so they were taking pictures.
There was quite a surge as the water flooded into the lock, which kept the
line handlers on their toes. Otherwise it was a simple task repeated three
times until we emerged into Lake Gatun and tied up for the night to buoy - a
large rubber one with us on one side and our companion cat on the other
side. We gave our advisor supper then he left saying a new advisor would be
along at 06:30 tomorrow.


23/6/2012


At 06:30 on the dot the new advisor, Roy, arrived and he wasted no time
getting us going. We motored along the marked channel passed lots of islands
thickly vegetated. Gatun Lake was the largest manmade lake at the time it
was built. Recreational use is allowed, so long as you keep out of the way
of the shipping lanes and apparently there is some good fishing.

It took us about five and a bit hours to get to the Pedro Miguel Lock. We
were loaded in with only a ferry boat and the two cats rafted together, the
lock looked very empty. The ferry went longside while we sat in the middle
with lines out either side. The drop was a lot less turbulent than the way
up. Our advisor decided to change our loading for the Miraflores Locks. So
instead of having our line handlers holding us in the middle we rafted up to
the ferry boat. What simple solution. The exit from the last lock was a
little more exciting as the freshwater mixes with the salt it causes quite a
bit a turbulence. Once passed the bridge of the Americas we dropped Roy and
at Balboa Yacht club we dropped the line handlers together with the lines
and tyres and motored on to the Galapagos, dodging many ships anchored off
Panama City.


24/6/2012


Position 14:00 UTC +4 07 54.492N 079 21.633W

Motored all night until the early hours of the morning when we set the genny
in about 10knots of SW wind and even put the main up about 08:30. It didn't
last for long though as the wind backed by 13:30 straight on the nose.
Downed all sails just in time for a squall which brought lots of rain and
wind from the east. For two hours with just the genny, we had an exciting
ride in near storm conditions, with wind gusting up to 24knots. But all good
things come to an end and we were left with a bumpy sea and little wind.


25/6/2012


Position 14:00 UTC +4 05 56.082N 080 10.396W

The sea flatten out which made life far more pleasant, with no wind. Pointed
the bow at Galapagos and enjoyed the peace. During the night while I was on
watch I noticed a red flashing light hovering around off to starboard. It
would move towards a ship ahead of us then go back and eventually circle us
before disappearing altogether. As we are off the coast of Colombia I came
to the conclusion it was either drug smugglers or anti drug smugglers. It
was a helicopter.

Again at just after 14:00 a wind from the east appeared but with little rain
this time. Lets see if this is a pattern.

Cheers

Chris