The Panama Canal was constructed in the beginning of the XX century, connecting the Atlantic with the Pacific Oceans. The first journey through was conducted in 1914. Although it is not an easy one, roughly 14,000 ships yearly transit through the canal today.
If you have chosen to transit your own private yacht through the Panama Canal, there are some important things not to be neglected before embarking on the journey. The most significant matters shall become time and expenses, as traveling through a system of locks might come out really time-consuming, expensive and stressful. Still, the transition might become a unique adventure and even the most epic story to be told for the rest of your life. Here are some details to think over, before you decide upon a journey.
In terms of time limits, the journey through Panama Canal solely might last up to eight to nine hours. An intricate system of locks should be passed on your way through, guiding your private sailboat from one ocean to another.
Prior to that, there is obligatory paperwork to be done, along with the vessel screening (to make sure your boat complies with size regulations etc.). That is why you have to consider in advance the time your boat will be docked at either the Pacific side marina or Caribbean side marina to await your turn before transit. Average waiting time varies, but be prepared that it normally takes several days at least.
As to the paperwork, The Panama Canal Authorities demand an advance notification of 96 hours to accommodate the arrival for vessels desiring to transit the Panama Canal. If you are planning on transiting the canal without hiring an agent, you will need to call to the Admeasurer’s office (English is spoken by all canal officials) to arrange a time and location for your boat’s measurement. You have to go through measurement and payment first, before entering the ACP system to get a transit date assigned, as it cannot be reserved in advance.
If dealing with documentation yourself, you need to fill in a form stating where you are and when you would like to get measured. Then, an official Ad measurer will come out, to measure your yacht according to canal regulations. Once the process is completed, you will receive a form to be proceeded to a bank for an official deposit. Once you are measured and your money is deposited, you will call the official schedulers office and make an appointment for transit. Again, be prepared that paperwork might take from three to seven days.
Money wise, the price to pay for closing the Canal naturally varies depending on the size of your yacht. For small vessels of up to 15 metres LOA, the price makes around $1,875; for larger ones of up to 30 metres LOA it makes around $ 4,275, etc. Furthermore, you should consider extra transit fees including long lines, car tires and making sure you have line handlers on board.
Finally, depending on your appointment time and your port of entry you can expect to depart in the afternoon, around 1pm or 2pm. You will be assigned an official advisor from the Panama Authority to join you on-board, provided everything is going as planned. Thus, you need to provide hot meal and drinking water for your advisor. He or she will serve as your sailing mentor, attempting to get you through the canal as quickly and efficiently as possible. Still, you might end up having to stay the night for some unforeseen reason. In that case, expect to pay up to $500 dollars extra to dock.
On your journey, You will go through a series of locks (12 in total) composing is a system of levels that lift a ship up 85 feet to the main elevation of the Panama Canal and back down. Each lock is around 300-metre long and can be filled and emptied in 10 minutes. Once you have transited through all of them, you can continue on to either the Pacific or Caribbean side ocean.
All in all, if you decide to cross a Chanel on a private vessel, below are some tips for a smoother canal transit (Yachting World):
• Start researching information in advance, at least 3 months ahead, for comfortable preparation.
•It is better to keep the yacht’s decks clear. Move or stow items to keep the area around bow and stern cleats as clear as possible.
• Ensure all fairleads are fair to start. Re-leading takes time you may not have if currents start spinning the raft.
• Stern lines took the most load. Consider running them to a cockpit winch with the stern cleat as a guide to provide better control and mechanical advantage.
• Prep line handlers well. Hold a crew meeting. Make sure they understand how critical it is to be alert: they should not expect to use a GoPro or post on social media during transit.
• Repeat instructions from the adviser. It confirms you have heard and are responding to the action called for. It may serve to clarify the adviser’s intentions when issuing rapid instructions.
• Engage your adviser. Talk through manoeuvres in advance, asking for clarification on next steps and understanding actions they will want you to take before they need to happen.
The new generation of 20-30-meter yachts is easier and cheaper to attract and attract a wide range of owners looking for one-day boats and short routes without the hassle of operating a superyacht.Another attraction of smaller yachts for this base was the ability to move faster from bay to bay with cruising speeds almost twice the speed of superyachts, and the ability to dock closer to shore. Sanlorenzo, the Italian shipyard, the most active in the range of up to 30 meters, was unveiled earlier this December with a market capitalization of 550 million euros and revenue of 355 million euros in 2018.The shipyard created such a series as Bluegame Sanlorenzo.Bluegame yachts are built in accordance with the latest and most advanced construction technologies from composite materials.The BGX project is the result of a prestigious collaboration between Luca Santella, the head of Design & Style and the head of product strategy at Bluegame, together with the design studio Zuccon International Project.These yachts focus almost entirely on outdoor and recreational spaces, minimizing the importance of dining rooms and large cabins.Another common feature of yachts in this new assortment is oversized tender and water facilities for the size of ships, which emphasizes the interests of the new generation of owners. After this trend, its key players saw that their ratings rose sharply compared to those stuck in the middle.
February 19, 2020
Designed by Tim Heywood as part of the Amels limited-edition line, the 62.5-meter superyacht is dressed in a light gray hull and a crisp white superstructure.Interior design is the result of a collaboration between Laura Sessa and the Amels interior design team. In the master suite, the owner can enjoy branded round windows and are accompanied by up to 11 additional guests.Other on-board features include two VIP suites on the bridge deck, a large sun terrace with a jacuzzi and teppanyaki grill, and a garage for two eight-meter tenders on the lower deck.Yacht Limited Editions will be one of six new assemblies for owners before the summer season.
February 19, 2020
The FB273 superyacht features a steel hull and an aluminum superstructure designed by Benetti.On board can accommodate up to 12 guests in six cabins. All are located on the lower deck and are decorated in a style designed by interior designer Laura Pomponi. Occupying six decks, on board you can select a geometric pool with a special function of changing the depth, a helicopter landing area, a large solarium and a rooftop jacuzzi.Owner's suite with a central staircase with an area of more than 120 square meters. M. With a panoramic view. The upper deck is occupied by a private living room, bathroom, sauna, open living room, home theater, gym and massage room. The owner’s office has a glass wall overlooking the interiors and is connected to the living room and balcony.The FB273 is powered by two 2400hp Caterpillar engines that develop the yacht to a maximum speed of 17 knots and provide a range of 5,000 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 12 knots.
February 19, 2020
Turkish studio Red Yacht Design presented a project - a 64.2-meter superyacht Ice Kite and a 28-meter Shadow Vessel ICE Ghost.Developed in conjunction with Dykstra Naval Architects, ICE Kite will be the longest yacht with a total length of up to 500 GT at the time of construction.A pair of 735 kW main engines provides Ice Kite with a maximum speed of 17.4 knots.On board Ice Kite can accommodate up to 10 guests in four comfortable cabins. Features of this superyacht include a beach club area with a swimming pool, an outdoor dining area for 12 people and a helipad on the bow.Downstairs is the Kite Lounge, which also functions as a dining room. There is glass from which a 180-degree view opens. Other interior features include an elegant spiral staircase and a special spa area.Ice Kite will be built with the project, Ice Ghost. The 26-meter yacht will serve as a specialized support vessel for Ice Kite.Ice Ghost can carry the Icon A5, the U Boatworx Superyacht Sub 3, a 12-meter specially designed RIB with a maximum speed of 60 knots, also developed by Red Yacht Design, and a couple of Seadoo jet skis on it. main deck. There is another garage for storing snorkeling equipment, SeaBobs and a maintenance area.The main deck of the Ice Ghost can also be used as a party venue, and two double cabins below the deck can accommodate guests or staff. Ice Ghost with a steel casing and carbon fiber exterior has a maximum speed of 16 knots.
February 19, 2020
Italian shipyard Sanlorenzo launches new 52 Steel yacht last month.Key features of the 52-meter motor yacht include a 94-square-meter beach club and a glass bottom pool. The beach club sits below the glass-bottomed pool and opens on three sides.The interior is designed in classic style.Lady Lena also has a 31-square-meter gym with direct access to the saloon of the main deck, a garage for unloading at the tender of 7.5 meters and a separate garage for lifeboats and toys.The 52 Steel model has a beam of 9.35 meters and is equipped with a pair of CAT 3512 C engines with a maximum speed of 16.5 knots. Accommodation for up to 12 guests and a crew of nine.
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February 18, 2020