Having crossed the Panama Canal in two groups, during the last few days, all the World ARC 2015-16 yachts and crews are now in the Pacific Ocean. The crews all enjoyed their trip through the Panama Canal and appreciated the incredible size and engineering of it. The completion of the Canal transit marks a real milestone in the route of a circumnavigator and is the corridor to the expansive Pacific Ocean.
Each yacht was accompanied by a Transit Advisor. These are employees of the Panama Canal who are specially trained to assist in the transit of smaller boats through the canal. These people are extremely knowledgeable not only about the procedure for a ‘handline yacht transit’ and the safe operation of the canal, but are also well informed about the Canal history and are full of trivia about it. The advisors were all extremely helpful and the crews emerged into the Pacific with great memories of the transit. ‘That was awesome!’
On transit 2, the crew of Wayward Wind were up against it to fix their engine on time but things came together and they made it just in time. Peter Long, the skipper, has been a professional mariner all his life on US Navy and auxiliary ships but had never transited the Panama Canal during his service. ‘Passing through the Panama Canal on my own sailboat is a great compliment to many years of professional service at sea.’
The crews now have a few days to visit Panama City and also to get stocked up on provisions and boat supplies, before heading off across the Pacific. Taxi after taxi has been unloading at the docks at La Playita marina as provisions are bought and offloaded. Hopefully everyone will be fully prepared by the end of the weekend in order to go exploring the Las Perlas islands, which are about 35 miles offshore.
The fleet will get together in the Las Perlas island again before sailing off to the Galapagos Islands on the 13 February.