09.06:66N 79:41.80W

 

We are now doing one of the biggest milestones of our adventure, passing through the Panama Canal from the Caribbean Sea to the Pacific!

 

We left the Marina yesterday afternoon and anchored in in area close to the Gatun Locks where our advisor for the canal passage, Edgar, came on board. Every boat and ship that passes through the canal needs to have either an advisor (below 65 feet) or a pilot onboard (above 65 feet).

 

On our way to the look we formed a “nest” consisting of three yachts, in our case Spirit, Solo and Take Off. A total of five nests consisting of 15 yachts in total fitted nicely into one lock.

 

Just before going into the lock we met a big container ship carrying thousends of containers and some special cargo, the 100 foot racing machine Commanche.

 

It is like going into a massive elevator lifting all the yachts 26 meters into three equal steps of almost 9 meters. We where middle boat in our nest => we where in command and driving our nest. Feels good to have two realy big fenders consisting of a yacht on each side in the lock!!

 

After passing through the locks we anchored in the Gatun lake. Edgar left after dinner and came back early this morning. We are now half way through the canal and on our way to the first of two locks, the Pedro Miquel Lock.

 

In the final lock, the Millaflores Locks, is a webcamera that is supposed to work. This means that you should be able to see us live. Any screenshot would be highly appreciated!!

 

ETA Millaflores is c. 13.30 local time = 19.30 CET. Passing through the locks takes c. 1 hour. Our actual position can be checked at either www.worldcruising.com or at www.marinetraffic.com.

 

Adress to the webcamera should be correct below: