POSSE PERK: UP TO DATE AND VERIFIED INFORMATION BY FELLOW YACHTS

POSSE PERK: UP TO DATE &

VERIFIED INFORMATION BY FELLOW YACHTS

Ocean Posse members share a chat group where members ask questions, share informations, and pictures. Members appreciate the 'Up to Date & Verified Information' shared in the group chats.

Recently, Lyle on MV ALGONQUIN asked:

Hello. For those in the know could we get some information on how far out we should be contacting the agent to schedule our canal transit? Rough plan at this point is late December early January transit west to east.
Currently boat less in Canada Vancouver Island preparing the house for rental and disposing excess land assets in preparation for full time live aboard. Returning to the boat in PE mid September.

SV MAISON DE SANTE answered from their experience going through the Panama Canal last season:

In Season 7 SV MAISON DE SANTE sailed to Panama, turned North, & went through the Canal

I don’t think any time is too early to connect to an agent because you can reach out and get the list of info they will need like photos and measurements for the boat and just be that much more prepared. South to North didn’t start getting busy until mid January last season so picking a transit date would probably be important to do by November. They don’t like changing dates so try to firm it up when you’re closer and pretty certain on a date.

I’ll reach out to Erick Galvez.

.....After Reaching out to Ocean Posse Canal Agent Erick Galvez.....

🇵🇦PANAMÁ CANAL🇵🇦

You must be near the Panamá Canal with a verified arrival either with AIS validation or a photo of your vessel anchored near the canal or at a nearby marina. If anchored, they will visually look for your vessel.

Last season, you were allowed to request a transit date prior to arriving in Panamá and it created too many issues, according to Erick Galvez.

You are allowed to leave once you have your date confirmed. The furthest out you can request your transit date is 2 months.

The average wait time for the earliest transit date is as follows, according to Erick.

December and prior: 3-4 days
January: 5-10 days
February: 10-20 days
March: 20-30 days

THANK YOU FOR ASKING QUESTIONS,

SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE AND USEFUL INFORMATION

by EDITOR

IN THE NEWS ALONG THE ROUTE: PANAMA CANAL TO EXPAND WATER RESERVOIR TO MANAGE TRANSITS RELIABLY

IN THE NEWS ALONG THE ROUTE: PANAMA CANAL TO EXPAND

WATER RESERVOIR TO MANAGE TRANSITS RELIABLY INTO THE FUTURE

Over the years the Panama Canal has had to restrict transits in times of drought and struggled to maintain steady flow of commercial and recreational traffic across the isthmus. While 2023 did not see a decrease in revenue, This decrease in overall daily transits is particularly worrisome for the prospect of maintaining the canal's vital role in global trade and Panama's economy. The stinking point is all about fresh water. The lochs depend upon freshwater and in times of draught as the amount of water available to flush through the lochs decreases, so too must the number of boats moving though decrease. Recently, however, Panamanian authorities approved a watershed expansion project that experts say will "Solve its Water Woes". The expansion project has been under consideration for over two decades. While it is massive in scale, capitol requirements, and repercussions Panamanian authorities believe it is the best path forward.

THE PLAN:

Dam the Indio River and add a new reservoir that will divert freshwater to Lake Gatun and provide freshwater for human consumption.

THE TIMEFRAME:

Current assessment: 6 years

THE CAPITAL INVESTMET

$1.2-$2 billion including $400million relocation and in investments in neighboring communities

THE GOAL:

According to canal administrator, Ricaurte Vasquez, the project "would provide a little more certainty to maintain 36 transits per day, a higher level of reliability for the route."

CANAL