The World ARC fleet completed their Panama Canal transits and are now berthed at La Playita Marina near Panama City. The transits went very smoothly and all crews were excited to have passed such a major milestone on their circumnavigations.
Before departing Shelter Bay Marina all participants received a briefing from Rally Control on the procedures and timings of the transit and what they could expect during the various moments. Long lines and extra fenders that are required during the transit were delivered to the yachts the evening before and at 1400 the fleet left Shelter Bay Marina to reach the “flats” anchorage where they awaited the arrival of their advisors.
Each yacht had an advisor on board for the duration of the transit - the advisors are trained by the Panama Canal Authority on enabling non-commercial yachts to pass through the locks safely. With the advisors all aboard the yachts then rafted together in nests of 3 before entering the first Gatun lock at approximately 1645.
Entering the vast locks was a challenging manoeuvre at first. Long lines are sent to walls, the huge gates close behind you and soon the water starts bubbling all around as the chamber is flooded. Up locking is slightly more difficult than down locking because of the turbulence created by the flooding of the chamber but the skippers and line handlers all did an excellent job keeping the rafted nests safely in the centre of the locks.
After completing the third lock of the Gatun Locks the gates ahead opened into Gatun Lake where the nest separated and it was then time to take a mooring for the night.
The following morning the group motored across Gatun Lake before coming together in nests again and making the first down lock at Pedro Miguel Locks and then 2 more down locks at Miraflores Locks shortly after. On the completion of the last lock the chamber gates opened and the yachts motored ahead into the Pacific Ocean!
