Canal Transit Part II

 At the entrance to the canal is the Bridge of the Americas, the first bridge to be built across the canal in 1913, it joins North America to South America; Every ship that has transited the canal has passed under this bridge.

Now matter what you have read about the canal the massiveness of the gates and the change in water levels still come as a surprise

The "lift" at each lock basin varies between 31 feet at the Miraflores Locks to 27 at the Gatun Locks. Each lock consist of two or three basins so the actual hight that the ship is lifted or lowered is 2 or three time this figure..

The water levels and gates are controlled form three story white building with red tiled roof. Each building contains a physical model of the lock the replicates the water levels as the basins fill and empty. Technology from 1913 still doing a sterling job.

Notice the mule sandwiched between the control building and the ships side and once again the minute gap between the ship and the basin wall.

Below you can see the "Island Princess" exiting the final basin of the Gatun or northern most locks under its own power. The "mules" or locomotives that guide the ship through the basins can also be seen on the left.

Along side of every lock group  construction work is underway to build a new parallel series of locks that  will accommodate ships significantly larger than the 1000+ foot monsters that transit today. It is planned for opening in 2014.

From initial contact with the canal area until the discharge of the pilots atkes about 12 hours. The ship is limited to between 7 and knots (6 3/4 - 9 1/4 mph) to reduce bank erosion.

At the end of its transit just a few minutes before our ship the Island Princess exits the lock system and heads for the high seas.

The transit was a fascinating experience no ammout of reading or research can prepare one for this working monument to the ingenuity and skill of man.