2025-03-02
OCEAN POSE 🧭 FLEET UPDATE

“Objectives can be compared to a compass bearing by which a ship navigates. A compass bearing is firm, but in actual navigation, a ship may veer off its course for many miles. Without a compass bearing, a ship would neither find its port nor be able to estimate the time required to get there.”

– Peter Drucker

SY PERCEPTION @ the big blue hole 🇧🇿 BELIZE

LATEST NEWS

• Pictures of The Week
• Meet The Fleet MV Que Sera Sera
• Experience Of Meeting The Guna Yala
• Romora Bay Resort & Marina 🇧🇸
• Event for the South Pacific Cruising Fleet 🇫🇯 Fiji
• Must- See Las Grutas Cacahuamilpa 🇲🇽
• BoatHowTo 💡sponsors The Ocean Posse
• Good Nautical Ukupsuit ⚓ San Blas 🇵🇦 Panama
• Yacht For Sale 🛥️ MV Gratitude
• Ocean Posse Long Line 🪝🪝🪝 Location Reporting
• Carnival 🎉🎭 🥳 🎈🥁 💃🏻🕺🏽 💃 🦜 🤡 Wherever – Forever
• Musket Cove Marina 🇫🇯
• Diving SS President Coolidge Luganville 🇻🇺 Vanuatu
• Shipwreck ⚠️ Leaves Migrants And Crew Members Missing
• 🇩🇴 The Mona Passage 🇵🇷
• Diverting to Puerto Amistad – Ecuador 🇪🇨 Mainland
• Strategic Partners Safe-Explore
• Critters To Meet: Rothschild’s 🦔 Porcupine
• Panama Canal⚠️ Incident Report

1) PICTURES OF THE WEEK

Anchored off Banerdup in the San Blas. Provides access to Esnadup with “The Pool” where cruisers convene for a sundowner every day at 4pm. This is one of the few anchorages providing a “community” feel. Highly recommend.

Sunset in Esnadup, San Blas

SY SERENITY 🇺🇸 Mark & Kathryn – Antares 44′

SY QUE VENDRA and SY DAWN PATROL representing Ocean Posse at El Trapiche!

Red Frog @ Red Frog Marina & Resort

Red Frog Sunset @ Red Frog Marina & Resort

Sundown Gallego Cay, Bocas Del Toro

Last one. The moon and Venus hanging out over the sunset.

MV TIDINGS OF JOY 🇺🇸 Joy & Jeff – DeFever 52′

Sunset in Panama last night- now we’re taking advantage of the weather window and heading to Cartegena.

MY MARTINI 🇺🇸 Bryan and Mary – Nordhavn 63′

SY OKISOLLO Jeanne & Dan – Island Packet 52′

Starfish at Starfish Beach, Bocas Archipelago!

Starfish Beach, Bocas Archipelago!

SY FORTIUDE X 🇨🇦 Stefanie & Torsten – Beneteau 43′

2) MEET THE FLEET
MV QUE SERA SERA
Kevin and Colleen

We are Kevin and Colleen Wald and have traveled from Southern California, down the Baja, explored the Sea of Cortez, across to Mazatlan, down the Mexican coast to Chiapas, and a few days ago we arrived in Costa Rica (damn those Papagayos!). It’s really been a wonderful adventure.

The cruising lifestyle has taught us to slow down. Also, that we don’t need so much ‘stuff’. This is a shared adventure for us.

What’s still on our bucket list?

The Panama Canal passage, then the Caymans, the Bahamas, and the east coast of the US.

MV QUE SERA SERA 🇺🇸 Kevin & Colleen – Forbes Cooper 60′

MEET THE OCEAN POSSE

293 Yachts with over 1000+ participants from 23 Flag States

3) OCEAN POSSE
AWARD CATEGORIES

Example of a Boat Yoga Award Entry

• BIGGEST FISH CAUGHT*
• PICTURE OF THE YEAR
• YODA OF THE YEAR
• SPEEDY AWARD
• THE CAPTAIN RON AWARD
  sponsored by NOVAMAR
• COURAGE AWARD
• CLEAN OCEAN AWARD

• MOST UNWELCOME VISITOR
• HIGHEST WIND RECORDED
• SPIRIT OF EXPLORATION AWARD
  sponsored by PREDICT WIND
• GALLEY GOD(ESS)
• GOOD SAMARITAN
• BOAT YOGA POSE
• SANDCASTLE OF THE YEAR

FLOR DE CAÑA SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE

4) EXPERIENCES OF MEETING THE GUNA YALA

It touched us deeply visiting this remarkable place.

Fishing and coconut trade have historically been the main sources of income for the Guna. However, in recent years, tourism has grown, with visitors drawn to the pristine islands and the unique cultural experiences. Despite this, the Guna have imposed strict regulations to protect their land and way of life, ensuring that large-scale development does not threaten their autonomy.

The Guna people have maintained a strong cultural identity, resisting outside influences while preserving their traditions. They govern themselves independently, following their own laws and customs. One of their most distinctive traditions is the creation of molas, intricate, hand-sewn textiles that depict geometric patterns and natural themes. Molas are not only an art form but also a significant part of Guna women’s traditional clothing.

The islands of Guna Yala face challenges due to climate change, particularly rising sea levels. Some communities are already considering relocating to the mainland. However, the Guna remain resilient, continuing to live according to their traditions while adapting to modern realities.

Visiting Guna Yala offers a rare opportunity to experience a way of life that has remained largely unchanged for centuries, surrounded by breathtaking natural beauty.

SY PATHFINDER 🇺🇸 JP & N – Lagoon 39′

5) ROMORA BAY RESORT AND MARINA 🇧🇸 BAHAMAS
SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE

25° 29.5483′ N 076°38.275′ W

Ramora Bay and Resort is pleased to sponsor the Ocean Posse and welcomes the participants with $1 x foot discount during the high season and $2 x foot discount during the low season. Join us on Harbour Island for affordable luxury with a full-service marina and much more in The Bahamas.

AMENITIES

• Pool
• Cater private parties or just stock up on wine with our full-service concierge and yacht agency options.
• Security Around the Clock
• Business Center
• Onsite wash-and-fold laundry services
• Full-service bathroom and shower facilities
• Yacht detailing and cleaning services
• Fitness center with cardio equipment and free weights
• Outdoor infinity pool with poolside cocktail service
• Private cabanas
• Tennis courts
• Full-service on-site restaurants
• Panama Posse Sunsets_at_Night

Sail into Romora Bay Resort and Marina. Conveniently located in the heart of Harbour Island, our world-class marina (only 223 miles east of Miami)

Dock at one of our slips and let us handle the rest. Our extensive range of on-site services delivered by a full, dedicated crew exceed the desires of owners, captains, and crew. Vessels up to 190 feet in length are welcome in our slips. Stress-Free Docking for All Vessels

Sail into the beginning of a wonderful vacation at Romora Bay Resort and Marina.

• On-Site Customs and Immigration
• Yacht Assistance 24/7
• Yacht Provisioning
• Video surveillance and onsite guards keep you and your property safe and secure
• Fresh Water up to 17,000 gallons of fresh water per day.
• Full Electricity Service backed up by a 550kW generator. (110V/single phase | 220V/3 phase | 30-amp and 50-amp | 408V/3 phase)
• Complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi

6) SPECIAL EVENT
MEET THE SOUTH PACIFIC CRUISING FLEET
NAWI ISLAND – SAVUSAVU 🇫🇯 FIJI
SAT AUG 30 ’25

https://oceanposse.com/nimrsvp/ ▶

A you make you way across the Pacific come meet the South Pacific Crossing Fleet

7) MUST- SEE ALONG THE ROUTE

8) BOATHOWTO 💡
SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE

9) GOOD NAUTICAL

UKUPSUIT ⚓ SAN BLAS 🇵🇦 PANAMA

Approach to the sheltered anchorage in UKUPSUIT we got the GPX track for you

⚓ 09° 35.6454′ N 078° 42.4590′ W

10) YACHT FOR SALE
M/V GRATITUDE

A stunning
2007 Nordhavn 43
in West Palm Beach, FL

The owners of M/V GRATITUDE are moving on to their next adventure and this stunning 2007 Nordhavn 43 is now available for sale.

This is an extremely well maintained and appointed version of the very popular Nordhavn 43 power yacht offering a flybridge, 12kW generator, water-maker, etc.

With a range unmatched by other trawlers of her size, she is capable of taking her next owners as far as their dreams allow.

Call Yacht Tech Sales
for more details:
+1 561-776-5848

For a full listing,
please follow this link:

https://www.yachtworld.com/yacht/2007-nordhavn-43-9629793/

11) OCEAN POSSE
LONG LINE 🪝🪝🪝 LOCATION REPORTING

LONGLINES, DRAGNETS, UNMARKED FISHING DEVICES

– HERE ARE THE LOCATIONS WHERE THE FLEET HAS ENCOUNTERED THEM

12) CARNIVAL
🎉🎭 🥳 🎈🥁 💃🏻🕺🏽 💃 🦜 🤡
WHEREVER – FOREVER

What an absolutely magical week in Grenada! ✨ Carnival kicked off with the traditional Jab Jab bands emerging from the darkness of the night to parade freely through the town at 4am Monday morning. Covering themselves and anyone in their vicinity with motor oil.

The energy was electric and the celebrations kept the vibe alive all the way to Fancy Mas! This has been an unforgettable experience. 🪅

SY JUBEL 🇺🇸 Kyle & Leah – Gulfstar 44′
https://www.instagram.com/svjubel

Grenada’s Spicemas (Carnival) is held in July and August rather than the traditional pre-Lenten February/March period because of its historical evolution and cultural influences.

Most Caribbean carnivals, including those in Trinidad and Brazil, follow the pre-Lenten tradition, where celebrations happen before Ash Wednesday. However, Grenada shifted its Carnival to August in 1981 to avoid direct competition with Trinidad & Tobago’s Carnival, which is one of the largest in the Caribbean.

By moving Spicemas to August, Grenada emphasized its unique African and Caribbean heritage, focusing more on traditions like J’ouvert, Monday Night Mas, and Shortknee & Jab Jab masquerades, which have roots in West African and post-slavery traditions.

THE CARNIVAL IN VENICE

Carnival in Venice (Carnevale di Venezia) dates back to at least the 12th century and became famous during the Renaissance. It was originally a period of indulgence before Lent. Venetian masks are the symbol of the carnival, ranging from simple designs to elaborate, gilded creations. Common mask styles include:

• Bauta (full-face mask with a prominent chin)
• Colombina (half-mask, often decorated with gold and feathers)
• Medico della Peste (Plague Doctor mask with a long beak)
• Moretta (small, oval, black velvet mask held by biting a button)

THE CARNIVAL IN RIO IS UNDERWAY NOW

Carnival in Rio de Janeiro is one of the biggest and most vibrant festivals in the world. The festival has roots in Portuguese and African traditions, dating back to the 18th century. It evolved from colonial masquerade balls into a massive public celebration and lasts for about five days, from Friday to Ash Wednesday, before the start of Lent. The highlight is the Sambadrome parade, where top samba schools compete with extravagant floats, dazzling costumes, and high-energy performances. Samba is the heartbeat of the carnival, with infectious drum rhythms and high-energy dancing. Other styles like Axé and Frevo are also popular.

King Momo is the symbolic ruler of Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival! Every year, the festival kicks off with the mayor handing over the “Keys to the City” to King Momo, who then officially declares Carnival open. He represents joy, indulgence, and the spirit of revelry.

The tradition comes from the Greek god Momus, the god of satire and mockery, and has been a major part of Rio’s Carnival since the 1930s.

13) MUSKET COVE MARINA 🇫🇯
SPONSORS THE OCEAN POSSE

We welcome any of the South Pacific Posse to Musket Cove at any time. We’re pleased to offer a Free Berthing Day for 5 Paid Days to all of your Posse Members.

Wayne Deed

Director of Sales & Marketing

Musket Cove Island Resort & Marina

AMENITIES

At Musket Cove you’ll find the pace of life smooth and unhurried. The resort is owned and operated by Fiji’s oldest resort company, with 400 acres of palm fringed beaches and tropical gardens. You will be hosted by 150 extremely warm and dedicated staff, who will endeavour to ensure your visit is one to cherish.

NOTE: The Annual Musket Cove Regatta will be held 12th – 16th September, 2025

14) DIVING THE WRECK OF THE
SS PRESIDENT COOLIDGE @ LUGANVILLE 🇻🇺 VANUATU
ONE OF THE TOP WRECK DIVE SITES IN THE WORLD

On October 26, 1942, the the SS President Coolidge attempted to enter the harbor of Espiritu Santo, Vanuatu. However, as the ship entered the largest channel, it struck an American mine. The mine was unfortunately omitted from the ship’s sailing orders for the day. The first mine struck near the engine room, and shortly after a second mine would hit near the stern.

Almost immediately, Captain Henry Nelson knew the ship was a loss. However, Captain Nelson held out hope and attempted to run the ship aground, with the idea that the ship–and its contents–could potentially be salvaged after the event.

The SS President Coolidge was built in 1931 and had started its career as a luxury ocean liner. After the start of World War II, the ship would be utilized as a troopship transporting American soldiers from Hawaii to Manila

To this day, the SS President Coolidge sits where it sank off the coast of Espiritu Santo. In 2013, a diver located the remains of Captain Euart, who was then recovered later in 2014 and given a full military funeral service.

Despite its popularity as a diving location, a few years after Vanuatu won their independence in 1980, the government declared no salvage or recovery of objects would be allowed from the SS President Coolidge. Many experienced divers have explored its resting place and witnessed the remaining helmets, guns, and even Jeeps. Divers even kiss the “Lady” – a statue of an Elizabethan lady and her horse that once sat in the first-class smoking room – for good luck

DIVING THE SS PRESIDENT COOLIDGE

• Depth Range: 20m–70m+ 65 – 229 feet (deep wreck, best for advanced divers)
• Size: 200m 656 ft long—lots to explore

DIVE TYPE Penetration dives possible, but some areas have collapsed—caution needed, Best dived April–October for visibility and calmer conditions. Currents possible, especially at deeper sections.Nitrox or Tech Diving recommended for full exploration due to depth.

Depth Range: 20m–70m+ (deep wreck, best for advanced divers)

Wreck Size: 200m long—lots to explore!

Moray eels, lionfish, groupers, and even flashlight fish inside the wreck.

15) SHIPWRECK IN GUNA YALA⚠️
LEAVES MIGRANTS AND CREW MEMBERS MISSING

SHIP BOAT WITH MIGRANTS IN GUNAYALA

From Gunayala this morning a shipwreck of a panga with 19 migrants going to Armali (Puerto Obaldia) was reported. The boat “ABDON” of the property of Evencio González de Goedub, yesterday in the afternoon hours, approximately, at 2:00 pm left from Port Dibin to Armali (Port Obaldia, as part of the operation that is coordinated by the national authorities who dismissed the group of migrants going back to their respective countries. Three boats (Paola, Elhier and Abdon) set out for the same destination.

According to preliminary reports, the accident occurred around 7:00 pm and this morning a group of workers from the Mamsuggun community, located in Sector 3, encountered a group of 10 migrants on the coast. The 10 are in Mamsuggun who are being cared for by the community.

Until this time in the morning there is no information about the rest of the people who came on the boat, including the driver (Ismael Benítez) sailor (Olonaknibler Rodriguez). The migrants are all of Venezuelan origin, of whom 7 are minors and 12 adults.

The Gunayala General Congress Maritime Transport Secretariat team is following up on this unfortunate incident, where the rest of the people who were on the boat are still missing. While the rescued ones are taken care of by the population of Mamsuggun so that they can feel comfortable while the national authorities take care of them. ***SIC/AML/22/02/2025

RESPONSE FROM GUNA YALA CONGRESS
ABOUT MIGRANTS IN GUNAYALA

The General Congress of Gunayala, the administrative authority of the people of Gunayala, expresses its regret, first of all, for the events that occurred on February 21 with the migrant brothers in our territory. Our solidarity goes out to their families and people who are being forced to suffer these hardships after their aspirations to reach the United States were frustrated.

We want to inform the regional, national and international public opinion that we are a peaceful and supportive indigenous people; and on the eve of the celebrations of the 100 Years of the 1925 Dule Revolution that gave us autonomy, we have been surprised that our territory, especially the sea route, had become a migratory route for South American brothers who are returning to their countries of origin.

After seeing the flow of South Americans on foot, traveling by taxi, by Uber, through the Llano-Carti entrance, on February 18, 2025, we met with the leadership of the National Border Service (SENAFRONT) to demand answers and jointly coordinate the passage through Gunayala. At that meeting, they told us that the president of the republic and the security forces knew about this case and that they were going to coordinate with the General Congress of Gunayala in an appropriate and orderly manner.

However, that is not happening. From the beginning we were clear about the sailing times and at what time the migrants should be at the ports. Unfortunately, Gunayala is not in a position to receive and care for these human beings in adequate conditions, and we are surprised that neither the United Nations nor the government of Panama have provided resources for a shelter, boats, cars, or food to care for these people. In a supportive and humanitarian manner, we are doing everything possible so that they can travel to Colombia.

The daily flow of migrants is becoming a serious problem for Gunayala. In this regard, we call on the national government, the United States government and international organizations to suspend the massive arrival of migrants to our territory. Gunayala itself does not have the conditions to receive and address this situation, which should be the full responsibility of the State with its government.

We do not refuse to offer our support, but we will not allow policies to be imposed on us that will affect our internal security. Gunayala lacks sufficient equipment, infrastructure, or means of transportation to deal with this problem that, due to the governments, is causing human mobilization that leaves their country in search of better living conditions. ***

Gunayala, Panama, February 23, 1925

The events of February 21 refers to the loss of an inter-island panga, with some of the passengers dead and others still missing (according to the best information I’ve been able to find)

SY AVANT 🇨🇦 Rob & Debra – Beneteau 43′

16) OCEAN POSSE FLEET TRACKING

Tracking the Ocean Posse … MORE ▶

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WITH OCEAN POSSE DISCOUNTS

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Check this map for 100+ Ocean Posse friendly marinas near you

19) OCEAN POSSE SPONSORS

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20) 🇩🇴 THE MONA PASSAGE 🇵🇷

The Hourglass Shoal

Follow the rhumb line from just offshore Cabo Samana to Mayaguez. you’ll miss the Hourglass Shoal which can so often be rough pass over when leaving Samana.

The difficulty in crossing the Mona besides headwinds, squalls, and fluky currents, is the Hourglass Shoal. Located on the western side of Canal the Hourglass Shoal extends from Cabo Engano, the easternmost extremity of Hispaniola, eastward for approximately 23 miles and lies directly on your course from Samana to Mayaguez or Boqueron.

Depths of 30-120 feet have been reported on the Hourglass Shoal about 7 miles east/southeast of Cabo Engano. Strong tide rips and heavy swells, caused by the meeting of contrary currents, are quite visible and mark the position of this bank well. The seas in this area are a by-product of the Equatorial Current as it falls into the deep Puerto Rican Trench. The current pushes water throughout the Canal de la Mona and the shoal, although deep enough for navigation, offers a barrier to the energy in the water. This often translates into large, rough seas in the area of the Hourglass Shoal and you don’t want to be there when it kicks up.

Weather Patterns

Crossing the Mona from the Dominican Republic keep an eye out for squalls that work their way off the western coast of Puerto Rico You can wait in Boqueron and watch those heads move out in the evening, one after another, following the lay of the mountains west out to sea.

The tidal currents set north and south throughout the Canal de la Mona and are UNPREDICTABLE!

A current of about 1-knot for the northerly and southerly currents in the Mona. In summer, when the trade wind has slackened and blows more from the east and east/southeast, a strong counter-current sets east off the southern coast of Hispaniola.

21) DIVERTING TO ECUADOR 🇪🇨 MAINLAND
0° 36.4166′ S 080°25.355′ W

This is to update on entering Ecuador.

I had to enter Ecuador due to a broken part on my spinnaker pole and since I would be going downwind quite a bit, I decided to get it done in Puerto Amistad.

Please contact Gene Tatum and advise status. Normally should be given 48 to 72 hours and should be an actual emergency stop for repairs and diesel.

I got my repairs done within 49 hours and am now back in anchorage and will leave towards Gambiers from here.

I would like to state my experience in Amistad was excellent and if I had known earlier I would probably have spent my time here as opposed to Panama.

A point to note that the entrance requires a pilot and the fee is USD 35. WORTH IT!

The marina has not recovered since Covid and the implementation of the Autografo. It’s jus a procedure and not difficult to do and there is a way the marina will offset for long term residents.

SY DESTINY 12 🇲🇾 Fabian – Hunter 37.5′

IMPORTANT MARINA PUERTO AMISTAD FACT

We don’t have lightening,!

CONTACT: Gene

Tel: +593 99 348 8519

Land Line: +593-5-269-3112

Whatsapp: +593-099-348-8519

Email: dockmaster@puertoamistad.com

AMENITIES

• Clearing In
• Restaurant
• Bar
• Fuel
• Water
• Internet
• Provisioning
• General Store
• Showers

https://oceanposse.com/marina-puerto-amistad/

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• SSCA
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23) CRITTERS TO MEET

ROTHSCHILD’S PORCUPINE

Rothschild’s Porcupine, one of the smallest species of porcupine in the world

Rothschild’s Porcupine (Coendou rothschildi)

• Family: Erethizontidae (New World Porcupines)
• Genus: Coendou
• Species: Coendou rothschildi
• Named after: Lord Rothschild, a zoologist and collector

Distribution & Habitat

• Native to South America Ecuador, Panama & Colombia
• Prefers tropical forests, including lowland and montane regions
• Arboreal and nocturnal, spending most of its time in trees

Characteristics

• Prehensile tail helps in climbing
• Covered in spines and bristles for protection
• Typically small to medium-sized, like other Coendou species

Diet & Behavior

• Herbivorous, feeding on fruits, leaves, and bark
• Nocturnal and solitary, avoiding predators by staying in trees
• Uses its tail and strong limbs for stability in the canopy
• Likely affected by deforestation and habitat loss.

24) PANAMA CANAL
⚠️
INCIDENT REPORT

SV Triaena, February 26, 2025

First Mate Perspective on Incident (corroborated with input from Captain and crew)

Our objective in sharing our story is to educate and offer information that may make transiting the Canal safer for other boaters.

The night before our transit our Agent, Erick Galves, Concentenario Consulting, delivered 8 large fenders and 4 – 125 foot, 1.5 inch blue, heavy weight nylon lines. This required is by the Canal Authorities.

Our Advisor, came on board at 4:45AM. After introductions, he said that he had been an advisor for 18 years and had done the transit 1,400 times. He told us that no other boats were scheduled and that we would be making the transit alone. If we could get through Lake Gatun in time, it would be a one-day transit.

Prior to entering Miraflores Lock #1 we began to prepare. Lines were positioned and instructions were made as to how catch the line from the Canal workers, secure it to theblue line, and send it back to the Canal worker.

Once we saw the ship that we were to share the lock with (Viking Adventure, 656 foot long and 114 feet wide, car cargo ship), I expressed concern about prop wash. Our Advisor assured me that it would be no problem and that the ship was a “very light boat”.

On entering the lock, we performed as instructed. I was on the port bow line. Our three other line-handlers were in position at the starboard bow, and port and starboard stern.

The instructions were given, and we sent out our blue line. As we tightened the line, I discovered that our bow cleats (measuring 9 inches long and 1.5 inches clearance ) were too small to complete a figure eight hitch with the large blue lines. Our Advisor came to assist, and it was decided to move the line to a winch on the cabin top. It was chaotic with shouted instructions and commotion as we worked to tighten the lines, keeping the boat in the center of the lock. The canal began to fill, and each position focused on bringing the line onboard to maintain tension and the boat centered.

The ship ahead of us began to depart the lock and a wall of prop wash approached. Our boat violently healed to port and then to starboard. My port bow line began to slip and I was unable to secure it. At this time, Phillip yelled that his starboard bow line was going too.

The Advisor came forward and tried to help. It was not possible to secure the port line and the line went overboard. We were now attached with just one starboard bow line and two stern lines. The starboard line remained on board due to a kink that got caught in the bow fairlead. (We believe that this saved the boat and crew.)

With no tension on the port bow, the boat violently turned to starboard and crashed into the wall. We were now at 45 degrees to the canal wall, pinned by the extreme prop wash.

Without a port bow line the boat moved back, towards the gates. The stern lines kept us from hitting the gates. The remaining starboard bow line kept the boat from swinging to port. Without it we very likely would have turned 180 degrees along the canal wall, or head on into the steel gates.

Our 38 HP Beta Marine engine was no match for the raging prop wash and our engine alone was not able to get us off the wall.

The Canal employees made several attempts to throw us a line for the port bow before one landed on the boat. With it, we were able to pull in a blue line and start winching the boat off the wall. Now, the ship ahead of us had moved far enough away that the prop wash lessened.

Tom was bleeding badly from his hand, Phillip had a big scrape on his arm, and I had blood on my shorts but did not know where it was coming from.

We immediately proceeded into Lock #2. This time it went better. All lines were now lead to large winches (cabin top and cockpit), with two wraps, and then secured to a cleat.

When the prop wash hit, we heeled violently, but held. In Miraflores Lake, we took the time to address Tom’s wound. He had crushed the end of his little finger and lacerated a large flap of skin. We cleaned and dressed the wound and he was able to continue driving the boat.

The short break in Miraflores Lake gave us a few minutes to examine the damage to the bow. The teak base under the chainplate had split and the stainless steel chainplate had been moved about 3 inches to port. The headstay was loose and we were concerned about the stability of the mast. We rigged a halyard to a storm sail fitting on the bow to add additional support and determined it was safe to proceed.

Lock #3, again we experienced violent prop wash, but our lines held.

While in the Culebra Cut, we were told that we could either be on a side-tie to the concrete wall (versus in the center) or stay the night in Lake Gatun and proceed the next morning.

We had concerns about a side-tie against the rough concrete wall, but wanted to complete the trip and get Tom medical attention. We signed a waiver for a side-tie.

On entering the Balboa Locks, we were told we would be tossing the blue line onto the wall. On arrival, there was just one Canal employee to secure our lines. “Tossing the blue line onto the wall” required throwing about 20 pounds of line up 10 feet and out, more than 15 feet. The employee got the bow line secured while the stern line began to pull off the wall. He was able to catch it before it fell into the water. This additional stress was not welcomed after all we had experienced earlier. As the water dropped, we successfully kept the boat off the wall using fenders and by pushing hard with two boat hooks.

This was repeated two more times until we were out of the Gatun Locks.

On arrival in Shelter Bay, we were able to inspect the damage to the boat. The ½” stainless steel chainplate is severely bent and is moved several inches to port. It is lifted a half inch off the deck The teak trim is cracked, several bolts sheared, but the chainplate held. We are thankful for a 1979 hand-laid, 1” thick fiberglass hull and a keel stepped mast. We believe the strength of our gear and hull prevented us from losing the rig. We are unable to assess the damage to the fiberglass until we remove the chainplate.

What we learned:

We feel that our Advisor should have done a trial run before entering the locks to test how the blue lines were to be run and secured. The process used in Locks #2 and #3 worked. If we had done this before the crisis, we could have avoided the problems in Lock #1.

The pre-transit instructions should include the minimum cleat size and clearance for the mandated Canal line. We believed our 9” cleats were adequate, but they did not have enough clearance or length to allow a complete figure eight knot.

In our experience, the only way to adequately manage the line is to put it around a winch, double wrap, and then secured it to a cleat. There is just too much tension on the line to control it straight to a cleat.

Communications from the Advisor would have been improved if it included the the position that he was yelling about.

We were not adequately prepared for the force of the prop wash from the ship ahead of us.

We discussed this with the Advisor several hours earlier and he minimized our concern.

The Advisor should have called out that the ship ahead was beginning to move and how to prepare to hold the boat steady. We have since learned that the Advisor could have called the captain of the vessel ahead of us and requested a slower start. It is possible that this was communicated and that is why Locks #2 and #3 were more manageable.

With just one, 11.5 foot beam sailboat in lock, and the lock 110 feet wide, there is 50 feet line out at each position to keep the boat in the middle of the lock. It would have been helpful to plan in advance how we were going to manage the weight of the line in the water.

In hindsight, running the line through the bow fairlead caused more friction and made the lines harder to haul in. If we had run it directly to the cleat and used that to keep the line near the bow while it went to the cabin top winch, we believe it would have worked better.

However, it was the fairlead that held the starboard bow line and saved us from greater harm. I don’t think the Advisor understood the dynamics of a sailboat when the bow is caught in turbulence and the limited maneuverability available. His instructions to get the boat off the wall were not realistic and we relied on our skill and knowledge of the boat to do so.

It would also have been helpful to understand how we were going to get a port bow line back on board. It was only when monkey fists started hitting the water around us that I was able to see how it was going to happen.

We should not have been required to make a choice of staying the night in Lake Gatun or a side-tie simply due to a lack of Canal employees.

We should have had two Canal employees to assist in taking our lines in the Gamboa Locks. With only one employee, getting secured to the wall and getting the lines released from the top of the wall was uncertain. Our advisor had to yell out several times and call on the radio to get assistance. We had had a very stressful day, and this added to it.

Having an agent (we hired Erick Galves, Concentenario Consulting) was beneficial. He learned of Tom’s injury and arranged a cab to be waiting at Shelter Bay Marina to take him to the hospital. He has also been helpful in communicating with the Canal Authorities.

Should we have had a paid line-handler on board? This is a tough call. We evaluated it and decided not to hire one. Yes, it is possible that this would have better have prepared us for the first lock and the prop wash. The downside is that this person comes onboard the evening before, and dinner and a bed are required. As a 1979, 41-foot boat, we have just one V-berth stateroom, one head, and a small saloon with a pull-out berth that fills the entire walkway. Sharing it with an unknown person was uncomfortable. Also, if we were required to overnight in Lake Gatun, the advisor leaves, but the paid line-handler stays on board. We could accommodate a family of 3, plus ourselves, but it would have been very uncomfortable to sleep five, unrelated adults in such close quarters.

We believe that we were well-prepared and had planned our transit carefully. We believed that our boat was well-equipped as well. Our crew had been our buddy boat for over 500 miles. They too are very seasoned sailors with over 10,000 miles logged. We were confident in our ability to communicate and to act together as a team to safely transit the Canal. All of us read the written materials, watched the Centenario and Shelter Bay videos, and discussed transiting with other cruisers to learn from their experience. We are terribly disappointed that despite all our preparations, our transit was so traumatic to the crew and damaging to our boat.

We accept responsibility for our plans and actions and are not trying to pass the blame. We want to share this story in hopes that it saves someone else.

We do think that the risk of a small boat in a lock behind a very large ship is understated. In the Miraflores lock the cruiser is positioned very close (30 feet?) behind the ship and subject to the full force of the prop wash . In the Gatun Locks, the cruiser is in front of the ship and leaves the lock first. We have not heard an explanation as to why a cruiser boat is ever behind a ship.

We also caution anyone to pick their crew carefully. We had an excellent crew and still faced circumstances we could not overcome without injury and damage. Had we lost the starboard bow line, we believe we would have swung around and been pinned to the gates.

It is easy to imagine that the boat would have been lost and the crew in great peril.

SY TRIANEA 🇺🇸 Thomas and Patty – Newport 41′

PANAMA CANAL AGENT

To arrange for transit with the Panama Canal Authority please contact our dedicated Panama Canal agents and sponsors of the Ocean Posse

CENTENARIO CONSULTING

Erick Gálvez

info@centenarioconsulting.com

www.centenarioconsulting.com

Cellphone +507 6676-1376

WhatsApp +507 6676-1376

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