Day 5 3/20/22
Panama City, Panama
Frank's Trip
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Panama Canal Partial Transit
I took an excursion for a partial transit of the Panama Canal. The excursion began at Flamenco Marina in Panama City. A 45 minute bus ride took us to Gamboa where the P.C. Dredging Division is located. We followed the Chagres River into the canal. This area is the Gaillard Cut - through the Continental Divide.
We passed under the Centennial Bridge on the way to the Pedro Miguel Locks. This is on of 2 sets of locks on the Pacific side of the canal. Our vessel was lowered 31 feet at the Pedro Miguel Locks onto Lake Miraflores. A quick trip down this small lake got us to the Miraflores Locks. This is a double lock dropping the vessel 54 feet in 2 steps (1 lock, half drop, another lock finish drop) now being at the level of the Pacific Ocean.
After the Miraflores Locks on the way to the Flamenco Marina we passed under the Bridge of the Americas and passed by some ports where cargo is unloaded from the big ships.
Huge Crane at Dredging Division
Gamboa is the headquarters for the dredging division and where our passage started.
The canal is constantly being dredged to remove silt buildup that gradually accumulates. This crane is used for extremely heavy lifts.
The Centennial Bridge
LEFT:
One of the "mules" (electric train engines) that guide ships through the locks. In older days there really were mules.
RIGHT:
Entering the 1st gate of the Pedro miguel lock. There is a gate at each end of the lock so the water level can be adjusted between the gates.
Note the other lane on the far right picture.
Inside the Pedro Miguel lock.
The ship we passed earlier is entering the lock behind us and a Canal Police boat is also behind us.
The ship draws up close with the mules on either side.
The mules (as many as 8) have cables attached to the ship (front & back - both sides) to keep it from hitting and damaging the walls of the lock. There is about 18" of clearance on each side of the ship. This tight fit becomes as the water is lowered in the lock.
NOTE the ship passing in the background of the right hand picture - it is on the new canal.
Ships have a clearance of 18" on each side
Once the water level reaches that of the small Miraflores Lake, the gates open and we exit the lock. Miraflores Lake is a little over a mile long and ends at the Miraflores Locks.
LEFT:
Visitors Center for the Miraflores Locks. Observation decks to watch the ships passing. There is also a museum and other features which were closed at the time I was there.
RIGHT:
Control building
On the Pacific and heading toward the end of the excursion - back at the Flamenco Marina.
Docks to the left and right unloading ships as we proceed to pass under the Bridge of the Americas.
