Jelly fish floating by the boat at anchorage.
Monday, May 14, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
Friday, May 11, 2012
Las Brisas Anchorage, Panama Bay, Panam
2nd May 2012 I found a tyre from the canal transit hanging at the front of the boat which the boys forgot to take with them to return to the agent
and also noticed that they had nicely ‘cheesed’ (coiled) our ropes on the foredeck!
The pelicans are still diving for fish but there are also a few egrets, which are actually wading birds, who like to rest on the stern bathing platform. It’s far too deep, about 30ft, for them to do their feeding so I’m not sure what it is that drives them away from the shore line where they normally feed. We spotted a jellyfish passing by the boat this morning. Not sure what kind it was But it was about 8-10 inches across. It has been very calm for the last couple of days so we’ve been able to leave the boat on the anchorage and go into town for provisions. We left the dinghy at the marina dock as the anchorage dock is what one might call ‘precipitous’ and not at all suitable for transferring anything but oneself! If you can imagine a floating concrete pontoon, about 4 metres from the shore, to which you tie the dinghy up and scramble off it onto the aged and cracking concrete. Then at one end is a tiny little plastic boat, bit like a large washing up bowl, usually with some water in it, attached to a skinny, fraying line by which you pull yourself from the pontoon to the shore.
Where you land depends on the state of the tide! There are some steep concrete steps to step out onto if you’re lucky, or large slippery rocks over which you have to clamber to the steps if you’re not! It made me very nervous the first time I negotiated it!
The other side of the causeway is the entrance to the Canal and we can see all the huge container ships making their way up and down the channel. It is a very busy waterway and we hear that the fees for transit are about to double! it’s a money maker for the country’s economy. They are constructing/digging out a new channel for a second set of locks at Gatun Lake down to the Atlantic side of the canal in order to increase the flow of traffic so I guess the extra fees are funding that project.
A dressed Brigantine on it’s way up the channel to Miraflores Locks.
We were treated to a spectacular lightening display the other night a few miles to the south east over by Las Perlas islands. Apparently it was accompanied by gusts of wind up to 70 knots and boats dragged their anchors. We have had some thunder and lightening here but without the wind thank goodness! I guess they would be tropical storms as we are in the tropics! Well, this morning clouds of smoke came from the exhaust when the generator was turned on to charge up the batteries! More problems methinks……watch this space……
and also noticed that they had nicely ‘cheesed’ (coiled) our ropes on the foredeck!
Where you land depends on the state of the tide! There are some steep concrete steps to step out onto if you’re lucky, or large slippery rocks over which you have to clamber to the steps if you’re not! It made me very nervous the first time I negotiated it!
The Boat folk had a Pizza night every Tuesday at one of the local restaurants.
 |
| Some of the boat folk - we seem to be centre stage!!! |
The other side of the causeway is the entrance to the Canal and we can see all the huge container ships making their way up and down the channel. It is a very busy waterway and we hear that the fees for transit are about to double! it’s a money maker for the country’s economy. They are constructing/digging out a new channel for a second set of locks at Gatun Lake down to the Atlantic side of the canal in order to increase the flow of traffic so I guess the extra fees are funding that project.
A dressed Brigantine on it’s way up the channel to Miraflores Locks.
We were treated to a spectacular lightening display the other night a few miles to the south east over by Las Perlas islands. Apparently it was accompanied by gusts of wind up to 70 knots and boats dragged their anchors. We have had some thunder and lightening here but without the wind thank goodness! I guess they would be tropical storms as we are in the tropics! Well, this morning clouds of smoke came from the exhaust when the generator was turned on to charge up the batteries! More problems methinks……watch this space……
The Canal Transit and Panama Harbour, Panama
25th April 2012
We arrived here at the Las Brisas anchorage in Panama Bay on Monday at about 4pm after transiting through the canal. We were more than pleased to leave the confines of Swelter Bay Marina and are here with a pleasant breeze so it is cooler which is great!
The lines and tyres were delivered on Saturday morning and the four local line handlers came aboard at 12 on Sunday.
A last look at Swelter Bay!
We left Swelter bay at about 1pm local time and headed out to anchor on the ‘Flats’, just by the channel to the locks. The advisor came aboard about 4pm and we pulled up the anchor. YUK! The chain was covered in slimy clay and wouldn’t move until it was washed. The boys were very helpful and brushed it off and kept a chain of buckets of water to clean it with but still a lot of mud had gone into the anchor locker.
When we got near the lock gate we were centre boat of three in the raft, a catamaran on one side and a small fibre glass yacht on the other. Being centre meant that we were the driving force of the ‘raft’ and that our Advisor was in overall charge of operations. Because the little yacht was so small, our line handlers, had to take the port lines from high up the wall at Gatun Locks - the first set of locks. We were in the lock behind a big ship. The boys did the line catching and heaving of ropes to the port side whilst the folks on the cat did the starboard side and the Captain did all the steering. The locks raised us up 27 metres above sea level.
Heading for the lock.
Rafting up.
Entering the Lock
The lock gates closing behind us
Going Up ! Up to the top of the lock!
Overnight we moored up in the freshwater lake and the Panamanian lads jumped in for a swim and had great fun diving off the mooring buoy before their well earned supper.
The next morning a new advisor came aboard and we then travelled down the channel the 27 miles to the Pedro Miguel Lock.
There are many small islands in the lake and with the jungle over the hills, it was a very pleasant ride. Didn’t see any crocodiles or alligators but lots of pretty birds and butterflies.
The dredging of the waterway is a continuous task to enable the huge number of large ships to pass through the canal.
The heavens opened as we reached the Pedro Miguel lock gates and everyone on deck got thoroughly soaked.
Miraflores Lock
The last set of locks at Miraflores, brought us back down to sea level and then the rafted boats let go all the lines which had joined them together.
The Advisor got picked up by a pilot boat after having congratulated the Captain for his skills at the helm and we motored under the Bridge de Americas and round the headland to reach the anchorage.
The Bridge of the Americas.
The new museum under construction on the causeway, designed by a famous Spanish architect.
We are hoping that having put the anchor down again it will wash off the excess mud and clay. The Captain then took the lads ashore along with the tyres and lines, which took 3 trips. The dinghy was well loaded up each time!
There are masses of pelicans here which dive bomb so close to the boats that they almost knock themselves out! They certainly hit the side of the boats. I guess they are after the small fish which always congregate in the hull’s shadows. It is a very funny sight, not at all elegant!
We have been inundated with flying insects which the Captain thinks might be termites as they seem to lose their wings. This could mean that they intend boring into the decks and woodwork to lay their eggs!
The Anchorage at Las Brisas. Through at last!!!
We arrived here at the Las Brisas anchorage in Panama Bay on Monday at about 4pm after transiting through the canal. We were more than pleased to leave the confines of Swelter Bay Marina and are here with a pleasant breeze so it is cooler which is great!
The lines and tyres were delivered on Saturday morning and the four local line handlers came aboard at 12 on Sunday.
A last look at Swelter Bay!
We left Swelter bay at about 1pm local time and headed out to anchor on the ‘Flats’, just by the channel to the locks. The advisor came aboard about 4pm and we pulled up the anchor. YUK! The chain was covered in slimy clay and wouldn’t move until it was washed. The boys were very helpful and brushed it off and kept a chain of buckets of water to clean it with but still a lot of mud had gone into the anchor locker.
When we got near the lock gate we were centre boat of three in the raft, a catamaran on one side and a small fibre glass yacht on the other. Being centre meant that we were the driving force of the ‘raft’ and that our Advisor was in overall charge of operations. Because the little yacht was so small, our line handlers, had to take the port lines from high up the wall at Gatun Locks - the first set of locks. We were in the lock behind a big ship. The boys did the line catching and heaving of ropes to the port side whilst the folks on the cat did the starboard side and the Captain did all the steering. The locks raised us up 27 metres above sea level.
Heading for the lock.
Rafting up.
Entering the Lock
Going Up ! Up to the top of the lock!
Overnight we moored up in the freshwater lake and the Panamanian lads jumped in for a swim and had great fun diving off the mooring buoy before their well earned supper.
The next morning a new advisor came aboard and we then travelled down the channel the 27 miles to the Pedro Miguel Lock.
There are many small islands in the lake and with the jungle over the hills, it was a very pleasant ride. Didn’t see any crocodiles or alligators but lots of pretty birds and butterflies.
The dredging of the waterway is a continuous task to enable the huge number of large ships to pass through the canal.
The heavens opened as we reached the Pedro Miguel lock gates and everyone on deck got thoroughly soaked.
Clouds forming as we approached Pedro Miguel locks
Down comes the deluge!!!
The last set of locks at Miraflores, brought us back down to sea level and then the rafted boats let go all the lines which had joined them together.
Leaving the final lock at Miraflores
The Advisor got picked up by a pilot boat after having congratulated the Captain for his skills at the helm and we motored under the Bridge de Americas and round the headland to reach the anchorage.
The Bridge of the Americas.
We are hoping that having put the anchor down again it will wash off the excess mud and clay. The Captain then took the lads ashore along with the tyres and lines, which took 3 trips. The dinghy was well loaded up each time!
There are masses of pelicans here which dive bomb so close to the boats that they almost knock themselves out! They certainly hit the side of the boats. I guess they are after the small fish which always congregate in the hull’s shadows. It is a very funny sight, not at all elegant!
We have been inundated with flying insects which the Captain thinks might be termites as they seem to lose their wings. This could mean that they intend boring into the decks and woodwork to lay their eggs!
The Dredger in the Gatun Channel
Shelter Bay Marina, Colon Harbour, Panama
21st April 2012
We are still at Swelter Bay Marina! Boats come and go so it really is a transient population. There are all nationalities and lots of ‘boat’ children. There are two little Finnish girls near us and a little Italian girl, all under 5 years, who sing their hearts out when all is quiet and they think no-one is looking or listening. So sweet!!
Some little Dutch boys saw a barracuda fish swimming around and were trying to catch it, unsuccessfully, with a fishing net.
We’ve had to replace 5 batteries and get them rewired up properly which in this sweltering heat is no joke. The poor man doing the work was absolutely dripping and had to keep coming up for air!
We have seen lots of different birds and butterflies, including a gorgeous blue one which flew across the marina yesterday. It is reputed that there is an alligator living in the jungle and which often swims in the Marina!
We are scheduled to go through the canal on Saturday the 21st. We have to have tyres hung all round for protection from other boats and the lock walls etc. The locks are quite deep so we also need 125ft lines and 4 locals as line-handlers to help out. The boat will be rafted (tied) up to two other boats and the water rushes in and out of the locks very fast. The transit is over the course of two days so we have to park up in Gatun Lake, between the locks, overnight. We have been watching the progress of other boats on
When we went into town we found some smoke rings, to which you set fire, to repel the mosquitos as they are driving us mad. It is almost the rainy season so they seem to be more active than ever. www.pancanal.com. Some really huge freighters go through at the same time.
We are still at Swelter Bay Marina! Boats come and go so it really is a transient population. There are all nationalities and lots of ‘boat’ children. There are two little Finnish girls near us and a little Italian girl, all under 5 years, who sing their hearts out when all is quiet and they think no-one is looking or listening. So sweet!!
Some little Dutch boys saw a barracuda fish swimming around and were trying to catch it, unsuccessfully, with a fishing net.
We’ve had to replace 5 batteries and get them rewired up properly which in this sweltering heat is no joke. The poor man doing the work was absolutely dripping and had to keep coming up for air!
We have seen lots of different birds and butterflies, including a gorgeous blue one which flew across the marina yesterday. It is reputed that there is an alligator living in the jungle and which often swims in the Marina!
We are scheduled to go through the canal on Saturday the 21st. We have to have tyres hung all round for protection from other boats and the lock walls etc. The locks are quite deep so we also need 125ft lines and 4 locals as line-handlers to help out. The boat will be rafted (tied) up to two other boats and the water rushes in and out of the locks very fast. The transit is over the course of two days so we have to park up in Gatun Lake, between the locks, overnight. We have been watching the progress of other boats on
When we went into town we found some smoke rings, to which you set fire, to repel the mosquitos as they are driving us mad. It is almost the rainy season so they seem to be more active than ever. www.pancanal.com. Some really huge freighters go through at the same time.
Shelter Bay, Colon, Panama
Shelter Bay Marina, Colon Harbour, Panama
8th April 2012
We arrived here at Sh(w)elter Bay Marina [it’s like 35 degrees, humid and mosquito infested] on Thursday 5th April after another tortuous and somewhat eventful journey across the Gulf of Mexico.
We hauled up the anchor in Marigot Bay on the afternoon of 27th March and headed off to Fort Louis marina to top up our water supply. The channel to the water point was very narrow and the dock we had to tie up at was a very tight fit. It didn’t help that the cockpit steering position had a funny turn….the gear lever were out of sync. Reverse being where neutral usually is!!!
Just into the Anguilla channel we were visited by some porpoises who swam and played in the bow waves before peeling off to find another boat.
Winds were quite light and from the north as we were heading south west. So we were under engine and the autopilot. At the end of the channel a small freighter was heading down toward us so we increased speed and clouds of black smoke came out of the exhaust system …. Bit worrying. However, as the engine hadn’t been used for a few weeks we thought it was just clearing the dirt out the system.
A Butterfly flew into the aft cabin. It came out eventually and flew off after a few hours rest. Then one morning we found nearly twenty flying fish in the gunnels. They were all sizes from about 2 inches long to 8 inches. A whole family!
The gearing on the engine went a bit cranky again and we discovered an oil leak under the engine. The throttle in the pilot house steering position was playing up…. But after having a fiddle with the cockpit gear lever it seemed to be bit better.
I was on watch on the 6th night out when I noticed on the chart plotter that our course had changed direction and instead of going south west, we were heading almost due north! I woke up the captain and he tried to correct the course by putting the autopilot on standby and turning the wheel in the pilot house but was unable to. We had no steering! Well, it seems that it is under the bunk in the aft cabin with no chance of seeing where you are going!
While we were at St Martins we also discovered that the steering wheels at both positions, in the cockpit and the pilot house, were on backwards…..the poor captain had been rapping his knuckles when turning the wheel in the pilot house and knocking the chart plotter knobs at the cockpit steering position……everything on this boat seems to work backward …….
We rocked and rolled onward toward Colon and when we were in sight of land we noticed a large number of huge ships at anchor outside the harbour wall, all awaiting transit through the canal.
Sunset at Shelter Bay
So here we are in a tropical paradise….. Palm trees, mangroves, land crabs, howler monkeys and sloths in the jungle on the hill, we’re told, and a wide variety of butterflies and birds. The marina is on the other side of the harbour from the city of Colon, which by all accounts is quite a dangerous place.
The wait to go through the canal locks seems to be a minimum of 8 days and most of the folk here have been waiting a fortnight or more so it looks as if we may be here a little longer than anticipated!
8th April 2012
We arrived here at Sh(w)elter Bay Marina [it’s like 35 degrees, humid and mosquito infested] on Thursday 5th April after another tortuous and somewhat eventful journey across the Gulf of Mexico.
We hauled up the anchor in Marigot Bay on the afternoon of 27th March and headed off to Fort Louis marina to top up our water supply. The channel to the water point was very narrow and the dock we had to tie up at was a very tight fit. It didn’t help that the cockpit steering position had a funny turn….the gear lever were out of sync. Reverse being where neutral usually is!!!
Just into the Anguilla channel we were visited by some porpoises who swam and played in the bow waves before peeling off to find another boat.
Winds were quite light and from the north as we were heading south west. So we were under engine and the autopilot. At the end of the channel a small freighter was heading down toward us so we increased speed and clouds of black smoke came out of the exhaust system …. Bit worrying. However, as the engine hadn’t been used for a few weeks we thought it was just clearing the dirt out the system.
A Butterfly flew into the aft cabin. It came out eventually and flew off after a few hours rest. Then one morning we found nearly twenty flying fish in the gunnels. They were all sizes from about 2 inches long to 8 inches. A whole family!
The gearing on the engine went a bit cranky again and we discovered an oil leak under the engine. The throttle in the pilot house steering position was playing up…. But after having a fiddle with the cockpit gear lever it seemed to be bit better.
I was on watch on the 6th night out when I noticed on the chart plotter that our course had changed direction and instead of going south west, we were heading almost due north! I woke up the captain and he tried to correct the course by putting the autopilot on standby and turning the wheel in the pilot house but was unable to. We had no steering! Well, it seems that it is under the bunk in the aft cabin with no chance of seeing where you are going!
While we were at St Martins we also discovered that the steering wheels at both positions, in the cockpit and the pilot house, were on backwards…..the poor captain had been rapping his knuckles when turning the wheel in the pilot house and knocking the chart plotter knobs at the cockpit steering position……everything on this boat seems to work backward …….
We rocked and rolled onward toward Colon and when we were in sight of land we noticed a large number of huge ships at anchor outside the harbour wall, all awaiting transit through the canal.
Land Crabs at the marina
Can you see the monkey???
The perifery of the Marina grounds
So here we are in a tropical paradise….. Palm trees, mangroves, land crabs, howler monkeys and sloths in the jungle on the hill, we’re told, and a wide variety of butterflies and birds. The marina is on the other side of the harbour from the city of Colon, which by all accounts is quite a dangerous place.
The wait to go through the canal locks seems to be a minimum of 8 days and most of the folk here have been waiting a fortnight or more so it looks as if we may be here a little longer than anticipated!
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