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.ย 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.ย
SV MAISON DE SANTE answered from their experience going through the Panama Canal last season:
I donโt 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 didnโt start getting busy until mid January last season so picking a transit date would probably be important to do by November. They donโt like changing dates so try to firm it up when youโre closer and pretty certain on a date.
Iโll reach out to Erick Galvez.
…..After Reaching out to Ocean Posse Canal Agent Erick Galvez…..
๐ต๐ฆPANAMร CANAL๐ต๐ฆ
You must be near the Panamรก 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 Panamรก 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