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Transiting the Panama canal has been something we have been looking forward to for most on this trip.

Its a significant marker, as not only is it an amazing engineering structure that has always fascinated us, but it’s also a big milestone in our journey.
Its a change in oceans, with different sailing conditions such as tides and currents, and a change in hemispheres and countries.
Once we are in the Pacific there is no going back! (Well there is - but at a large expense!)
We’ve always dreamed of taking our own boat into the largest ocean on earth - The Pacific - and now we were finally doing it.

COVID had set us back a year, so we had a lot of time to prepare. We used an agent to help us with the formalities and paperwork, and then counted the days until our crossing. As it turned out our buddy boat who we were separated from in the Caribbean when COVID hit had just made their way bak to us a day before we transmitted, so we were lucky enough to catch up with them and share the excitement of our travels to come in the Pacific together.

When the day arrived we prepared the boat and removed all the items which could get in the way, such as Genoa sheets, rescue rings etc. We protected the solar panels by placing cockpit cushions on them. We filled up with fuel and were on our way to the anchorage to meet our advisor, who would help us through the first set of locks.

Once Laurence our Advisor was on board we started lifting the anchor - only to find that it was hooked on an underwater cable. It took 3 people to lift it and eventually we got it off. Hopefully Shelter Bay marina did not loose any power because of us.

In the first lock we found out we were going to tie up to a tug boat which was then tied to the wall of the canal.
So we slowly moved Mokara alongside and tied up.
It was amazing to feel us rise with the lock and all to soon we were getting ready to untie from the tug.
To our surprise the tanker ahead of us had engaged his engines which sent a huge wash in our direction. Our boat was thrown around straining on the lines that were tied to the tug. After what seemed like ages but was probably only minutes the tanker had turned his engines off and the waters went calm again.
Now we needed to release our lines from the tug, reverse slightly so that the tug could move forward into the next lock.
Unfortunately the tug captain when a but faster than everyone expected and the power from the tugs engines sent us off sideways in the lock towards the back gates and wall. Shawn had to try everything to quickly gain control and stop us from hitting the huge concrete wall with our unprotected bows.
we all held our breath as Shawn fought for control and brought Mokara back into position! Phew…

The advisor had words with the tug asking him if we could try another strategy for the next lock.
So instead of us reversing and allowing him to go first they decided it was better if we untied and moved into the lock first and the tug followed, passing us slowly and then allowing us to tie along side. This worked perfectly!
We enjoyed the following 2 locks without a hitch and soon found ourselves in gate lake - the largest man made lake of its time.

We motored towards the mooring ball and tied up for the evening.
Celebrating with a well earned drink and hearty meal.

We were all looking forward to the next day!

Join us next week for Day 2 of our Panama Canal crossing.

Music:

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Song: Atch - Horizons
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