Monday, January 9, 2017
The ship arrived at the Panama Canal area at 5:30 AM. From my room I saw the lights of the Canal Expansion. This expansion began in September 2007 and is now finished. The construction of the was finished on August 15, 1914 by the USA after France tried but failed in the tasks to build the canal. At 6:30 AM the ship started it transit thru the Gatun Locks. The Locks have not changed much since the canal was completed. The Gatun locks are a set of three locks which raise the ship 86 feet from the Atlantic Ocean to the level of the Gatun Lake which provides the water to run the locks. The ship arrived at the level of the Gatun lake at about 8 AM. Because of other ships we spent about 2 1/2 hours waiting to proceed thru the canal. At about 3 PM the ship arrived at the Culebra Cut the narrowest part. The Culebra cut was excavated through rock and limestone of the Continental Divide. The next part of the canal is the Pedro Miguel Locks. We arrived at this lock at 3:25 PM. This lock is one lock which takes the ship from the level of the Gatun Lake to the Miraflores Lake. We were at the level of the Miraflores Lake at 4 PM and made our way across the lake to the Miaflores Locks which are two locks which take the ship to the level of the Pacific Ocean. It was about 6 PM before we made it to the level of the Pacific Ocean. From the Miaflores Locks you can have a good view of the new locks. At 6:40 PM the ship passed under the Bridge of Americas. This bridge is part of the Pan America highway. I then went back to my room, took a shower and went to the dinning room for dinner. I finished dinner in time to watch the NCAA title Game between Clemson and Alabama. The game was shown in the Wajang Theater. It finished at 12:30 AM ship time.
This is the first picture taken as the ship was approaching the Gatun Locks.
This picture was taken as the ship was entering the first of the three Gatin Locks.
This is the Mule that keeps the ship lined up in the channel. The ships power moves the ship thru the locks.
The ship is now in the second Gatin Lock and ahead is the third lock.
This is a picture of the gates taken of as the ship in the lock next to our lock was going thru the lock.
This is a picture of the area next to the Gatin Locks.
he ship is now at the Gatun lake level and we are leaving the Gatun Locks.
This is a picture taken looking back at the Gatun Locks from the Gatun Lake.
This is a picture of the Gatun Dam.
This is a picture of a cargo ship. The trees in the background is typical of the trees you find in and around the waters of the lake.
The channel needs to be cleared of dirt on a continuous basis. This is the machine that keeps the channel clear.
This is a picture of the cut through the Continental Divide.
This is another picture of the cut that had to be made through the Continental Divide.
This is a picture of the bridge over the Celebra Cut.
This picture was taken as the ship was approaching the Pedro Miguel Lock.
This picture was taken as the ship was entering the Pedro Miguel Lock. Notice the gate opening.
This is a picture of the gates opening. Notice the two gates. This is to keep the lake from emptying in case of a gate failure.
This is a picture of a ship entering the new locks on the Pacific side.
This picture was taken as the ship was approaching the Miraflores Locks.
This picture was taken when the ship was in the first of the two Miraflores locks.
The Miraflores Locks have a viewing center. Notice the number of people viewing the locks.
This picture was taken of the new locks on the Pacific Side.
This picture was taken as the lock was emptying into the Pacific Ocean. Notice the water flow.
his picture was taken as the last of the gates on the Miraflores Locks were opening. The Pacific Ocean is ahead.
This is a picture of the Bridge of Americas.
This is a picture of the new locks on the Pacific side.
This picture was taken at 6:40 PM after the ship passed under the Bridge of Americas and into the Pacific Ocean.
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