Our Pilot, Rod was delivered around 1630.
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He was very relaxed about everything but managed to make it clear that we needed to concentrate because the currents in the locks were huge and could grab the boat really easily. We would be going in behind a ship and with a tug and a catamaran. He gave us the choice of tying up to the tug, rafting up with the catamaran or going it alone. Roy Bravo had told us to go for the tug option if we were offered it so we did. At sunset we moved from The Flats (anchorage/holding area) to the entrance to the canal. |
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The entrance is difficult to miss…. 
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And we get our first sight of ‘our’ ship and tug….
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Very carefully getting closer. |
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…. Lines passed and we are on.
The tug option may be the best, however it does put some additional pressure on the skipper who has to manoeuvre on and off the tug three times rather than just chug forward . Looking pretty relaxed though.
Note Carol and Mike both wearing their glasses for this undertaking – very important we didn’t miss anything. The catamaran comes in behind us. You may be able to make out the four lines that tie him to the bollards at the top. The ‘line handlers’ responsibility is to pull these in as the water rises making sure that the boat stays off the sides. More difficult than it sounds because of the turbulence of the water. We however can relax, a bit, at this point because we are tied to the tug and it is the tug controlling our ascent. |
Only relax a bit though because we still have to make sure that our lines are holding us in a good position against the tug as the water moves…..
…… With considerable force! 
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