Panama Canal trip on Hooligan

We were only in Playita Anchorage a couple of days when an opportunity came up to travel through the canal on Hooligan, with our friends' Tim and Paula. They had enough line handlers with Ralph, so I just went along to take photos and help Paula with care of the crew aboard.

This is one of the large freighters going into the locks ahead of us.

Tim, our happy captain! Little did he know, at this time, we weren't going to have a fun time in Miraflores lock #2!

This is the entrance to the two lanes for the locks. They allow for travel in both directions or both going the same way. Today, they are up-locking in the same direction. Originally, we were scheduled to go into the right lock behind that blue freighter, but there was some problem and just as we were about to go in behind, they called us off.

This is a Panamax freighter which means it's the maximum size for the canal. As you can see, you probably can't get a credit card between it and the sides of the lock. They are building a new portion of locks to allow for even larger vessels. It is scheduled for opening in 2014, but it looks a long way off still.

This is just about the time they called us off.

So, here we are finally entering the lock behind a small tour boat.

We are side tying to the tug. Because we are tied to the tug, there is no need to have any lines from Hooligan to the side of the canal as the tug is tied to the wall of the lock.

The gates are closed and the water is pouring in creating lots of current.

The gates are opening for the first lock and the tour boat is getting ready to exit to the next lock.

Ralph on the bow and out we go!

This gives you some idea of the size of the lock doors.

At this point, we've already had difficulties in lock #2. The advisors don't really know much about small watercraft, but we didn't really know that. We now know you need to take control of your boat because you know how your boat will handle certain conditions. The advisor asked Tim to back away from the tug. When we let go of the tug, the prop wash, current, and wind hit us and we went sideways. We couldn't regain any forward motion in these conditions. It took us awhile to get Hooligan back in the right direction, after doing a 360 in the lock. I have no photos of all of this as we were all busy trying to protect Hooligan from the sides of the lock. By that time, they'd already uplocked the tug and tour boat in the last of the locks on this side, called Pedro Miguel, so we are going through alone. That's our line about to be secured on the side of the lock.

We have risen to the level of Gatun Lake and are waiting for the gates to open.

Our relieved captain, as we exit the last of the up locks and into Gatun Lake.

And out we go!

The bow crew: Paula, Mary (Carpe Vita), and Melinda (Southern Belle). And a fine job the did!!

A bridge very similar in design to Alex Fraser.

Just doesn't look possible that that freighter will fit under that bridge.

Look closely at the centre of this photo and you'll see an crocodile. The lake and canal are supposed to have lots of them.

Container ship passing us.

Now, this is a sail boat!

No tires on the side of this boat. It is 180' long. Everyone was having a party on the top deck while the crew took her through.

Ralph and boat dog, Nigel! Nigel couldn't quite figure out why there were so many people aboard his boat.

Our much happier captain, Tim, and his wife Paula.

Crew members, Mary and Mike, Carpe Vita.

Tying to the buoy in Lake Gatun. We had a late start so we can't go through all the locks in one day.

The crew for Hooligan's canal passage.

Bye-bye advisor Jose!

Those who weren't afraid of crocodile bites swam in Lake Gatun. A whole lot of billiard balls, if you ask me!

Freighter waiting, the next morning, for downlocking into the Caribbean. In front is Hooligan's syncronized swimming team!

Approaching Gatun Locks. Those are the mules that pull the freighters through the locks.

See, I was there!

Gatun Locks gallery.

This was our lock-mate!!

Oh My God!!!

First lock down, two more to go!

The gates fold agains and into the wall.

We had more problems in lock #2 going down and Hooligan went sideways again. This time the problem was that one of the canal line handlers was late to his post and late throwing off the line. We got her sorted out and headed out of the lock.

Exiting the lock with our friend behind us.

Thank you, God, says Tim!!