We went through the Gatun locks about one hour later than scheduled, behind a large ship. I know some of you saw us on the web cam (attached is a photo of this.) We moored overnight on the Gatun Lake and then started the 27 mile journey across the lake, arriving at the Pedro Miguel Locks, one hour ahead of our time. We managed to slip around a large ship and straight into the lock. Unfortunately not the same luck in the Miraflora locks. We had a two hour wait as they were doing repairs to one of the locks. So we had lunch on the Miraflores lake before going through the last two locks and out to the Pacific Ocean.
We had eleven on board - Laurel and I, Roger- our existing crew, Shylo and Katie- our new crew, Debs and Fred- crew from Archangel , Jim and Ged -fellow travellers from Albert II and lastly the Advisor and his trainee.
I was at the helm. The Advisor and his trainee's role were to advise me. And all the others we rope handlers for the locks – two to a corner. The whole trip went extremely well and without incident.
I know Laurel is going to do another email in a few days so I'll just give you the trivia that she probably won't.
-The Gatun Lake is only 85 ft above sea level. Miraflores Lake is only 54ft above sea level
-200,000,000 (yes two hundred million) litres of water is used in each lock.
-There are six locks.
-Up locking is the hardest as the water surges into the lock.
-The temperature was 35 C with little wind
-The beer cost 27cents per stubbie
-The rum cost $5.10 US per bottle .750ml
-The gin cost $5 US per bottle 1.75 Ltr
And the crew drank toooo much and didn't go home (except Jim and Ged from Albert II, who had to get back to their yacht in Colon and prepare for their own transit on Friday.)
Warm Regards
Daryl and Laurel
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