Our Canal Transit is Scheduled

From:     Centenario & Co.
    Subject:     RE: Jupiter's Smile Canal Transit
    Date:     November 30, 2012 10:56:52 AM EST
    To:     Matheson John
    Reply-To:     Centenario & Co.


Dear John,

Transit advisor boarding time for tomorrow Saturday, is for  3:30pm at the anchorage Flats.
Kindly shift to the flats about 1:00pm and report to Cristobal signal station on vhf channel 12.
Handliners will be on board between 1100-1200am tomorrow

Tires and lines to be landed at the balboa yacht club, a $10.00 tip for boat men to pick up equipment and handliners

Rgds

Erick



Erick called later and told us to still be at "The Flats" at 1:00pm, but that the advisor will be coming at 2:00pm.  All the better and I am pleased about the way our agent Erick keeps us informed.

That may mean that we will be transiting the first set of locks, the Gatun Locks, earlier than my previous estimate of 5:00pm.  We shall see.

Tires and Hand Lines Delivered Today, Etc

It is after 1900 hours, but not yet 8 PM.  Barbie is asleep - "resting her eyes for a while" after a long day.

This is the first morning that the marina has has proper voltage since the weekend storms that flooded Colon and some of the countryside.  At first the voltage was too low (65 volts) and then yesterday it was too high (145 volts) so no machinery was operating (including the AC power to the boats - which meant for us, no air conditioning) and no laundry.  I was working outside much of the time anyway so I didn't miss it much and besides we have DC battery power, charged by our solar panels so we had refrigeration and lights, but the wash for the entire marina and the hotel has been piling up.  Barb took a load of wash to the laundry before eight this morning, but was refused admittance because of the back log.  Instead, Barb quickly decided to leave on what may be the last Marina shuttle trip to the Reys Supermarket before we depart on Saturday.

While she was gone, Erick Galvez, our agent came today with twelve car tires tightly wrapped in plastic to serve as fenders to keep the sides of our boat protected and four 150 foot long, 7/8" polypropyline hand lines to be used to secure us within the locks as we are raised and lowered.

Photo of gear here


We have expressed our preference to be in the locks' "Center chamber" and in that configuration hand lines would be extended from both sides of the boat and fore and aft (two lines to the starboard - the right, and two lines to port - the left) to both walls of the locks.  If we are "Nested" we would be tied to another boat on one side and not the wall of the chamber.  We could be tied to two boats as well.  Alternatively, we could be tied to a Canal Authority tug or pilot boat.  We shall see.

Vern and Michelle from S/V Enchantment (an Island Packet 40) stopped by.  They will be aboard as line handlers for us when we transit and they will transit the canal in their own boat in the middle of next month.  They wanted to meet Erick and learn about the procedure from him.  They expect to use Erick's services as well.

I had already "checked out" of Cristobal and Shelter Bay and I have our Zarpe (document stating we have permission to embark) to Mexico via Balboa from the Port Captain and Immigration Officer so Erick didn't need to do that for us.  Erick said that the fee would be $13.70, but the Port Captain collected $15 for his work and $20 for Immigration (or the other way around.)  In any case it was $35 and not $13.70.  Maybe I should have let Erick do it for me.  I get my receipt tomorrow when they return and that is a good thing, because the Port Captain wrote on the Zarpe that it was in effect until 1400 hours on 1 November, 2012 instead of 1 December.  I will see how he fixes that when he returns.  I have been carrying a poster that says, "Be lazy - do it right the first time."  Maybe I will give it to him tomorrow - Maybe not.  Not everyone "gets" my sense of humor and sometimes those who do "get it" don't appreciate it.  It is better to keep the officials as happy as possible.

Barb returned from the shuttle at about noon and took our load of wash back to the laundry after a quick bite of lunch.  She waited a little while for a washer and then a long while for a dryer.  After almost four hours she had done one load of wash.  This is not the USA!

I expect an e-mail from Erick tomorrow (Friday) with our official locking schedule from the Canal Authority and on Saturday around 1000 hours, our hired line handlers should arrive at the dock.  I expect to leave the dock at 1300 hours, check in by VHF radio with the Cristobal Signal Control Station on channel 12 stating our intention to proceed from Shelter Bay to "the Flats" - the small vessel anchoring location where we will wait for our canal adviser to come aboard.  Then we follow the adviser's instructions.

The excitement builds!!

The Panama Canal Transit - Part 4

The website for seeing the locks' webcams is:

http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.html?cam=Miraflores

If things proceed the way I remember them, we should be at the Miraflores Locks (Pacific side) no sooner than noon on Sunday.  Saturday's locking at the Gatun Locks (Caribbean side) is yet to be determined, but I would estimate around 5 PM EST Saturday.  I will send out what I know when I know it.

Canal Transit e-mails- Part 3

From:     Centenario & Co.
    Subject:     RE: Jupiter's Smile Canal Transit
    Date:     November 27, 2012 7:45:23 PM EST
    To:     Matheson John
    Reply-To:     Centenario Co. &

Dear John,

Further to our telcom.
Transit requested and booked for Saturday Dec.1st, 2012.
Transit times will be given on Friday morning
Handliners will be on board by 1100am on Saturday

Will visit you on Thursday morning and will be delivering tires and lines for transit

Rgds

Erick


De: John Matheson [mailto:jupiters.smile@gmail.com]
Enviado el: Tuesday, November 27, 2012 4:59 PM
Para: Centenario & Co.
Asunto: Re: Jupiter's Smile Canal Transit

Dear Erick,
I was glad you called.  Power has been out here at SBM all day, but I got much work done.  Barbara went shopping without me.  Barbara and I need to shop together and I must mail some documents to the US so we will leave SBM @ 0800 tomorrow.  The admeasurement went fine (nice fellows - Jose and Jose).  Our ship ID # is 3012778.  What do I do next?
Rgds to you too,
John

On Nov 27, 2012, at 7:54 AM, Centenario & Co. wrote:


Good morning John & Barbara,


Admeasurement inspection will be this morning between 0800-1300hrs  please be on board for his visit.
Kindly confirm when inspection is completed.

Sorry for stopping your trip this morning

Rgds

Erick

Canal Transit e-mails Part 2

From: "Centenario & Co."
Subject: RE: Jupiter's Smile Canal Transit
Date: November 26, 2012 7:48:56 PM EST
To: "'John Matheson'"
Reply-To:

Yours noted.  Will confirm inspection , kindly check your email 0800 daily

Be advised that due to on going rain city , roads are under emergency situation , therefore , admeasurement inspection will be confirm accordingly

Rgds

Erick



De: John Matheson [mailto:jupiters.smile@gmail.com] 
Enviado el: Monday, November 26, 2012 2:37 PM
Para: info@centenarioconsulting.com
Asunto: Re: Jupiter's Smile Canal Transit

Advance information will be required to register your boat with the Canal
Authorities. (email back to me)
SBM slip # E-27
Have you transit before and Sin number?: NO
Name of Yacht:  JUPITER’S SMILE
Length: 36.6 FEET
Beam: 13.1 FEET
Draft: 4.5 FEET
Gross Tonnage: 14 GRT
Net Tonnage: 12 GRT
Call sign:  WDC3852
Registration number and Country: 1163525 USA
Speed: 6 KNOTS
Hull Color: CREAM
Email:  jupiters.smile@gmail.com         
Last port and next port: SHELTER BAY and BALBOA
Boat builder name & country & year:  ISLAND PACKET YACHTS (TRADITIONAL WATERCRAFT)/USA/2003
How many engines & brand & HP: ONE ENGINE/YANMAR/56 HP

Captain:  name:    JOHN ANDREW MATHESON JR         date of birth: xy SEPTEMBER 19xy  
                nationality:  USA  passport no.:  xxxxxxxxy
Crew on board:       BARBARA HELEN MATHESON       date of birth: xx MAY 19xx  
                nationality:  USA  passport no.:  xxxxxxxxx

Volunteer Line Handlers         VERN NOREN and MICHELLE BOUDEREAUX             crew of the   S/V Enchantment

Two Hired line handlers that you provide please.
On Nov 26, 2012, at 8:00 AM, Centenario & Co. wrote:


Dear john,

I will provide two local handliners
Check out 3 days prior transit, get your port clearance to your next destination.
Immigration stamp from airport is valid for 6 months
Handliners and guest not to be on crew list, as you came back by plane not necessary Visa.

Just for clarification, when you arrive in a boat, you will be issue a entry stamp which is valid for 3 days, then you will obtain a Visa at immigration office, only the persons who are sailing with
You, however, it is not your case as you re-enter by airport and the stamp criteria is different with a validity of 6 months.

Please send me this information to register you and request admeasurement inspection:

Advance information will be required to register your boat with the Canal Authorities. (email back to me)

Slip/berth number at SBM:
Have you transit before and Sin number?:
Name of Yacht:
Length:
Beam:
Draft:
Gross Tonnage:
Nett Tonnage:
Call sign:
Registration number and Country:
Speed:
Hull Color:
Email:
Last port and next port
Boat builder name & country & year:
How many engines & brand & HP:

Captain:  name:    date of birth:    nationality:    passport no.:
Crew on board:



Rgds
Erick




De: John Matheson [mailto:jupiters.smile@gmail.com] 
Enviado el: Sunday, November 25, 2012 6:12 PM
Para: info@centenarioconsulting.com
Asunto: Re: Jupiter's Smile Canal Transit


On Nov 25, 2012, at 9:04 AM, Centenario & Co. wrote:



I will only accept other sailors from other yachts or incoming
friends/family of yours to be handliners, no other local who is not
authorize by me.  I would like to have you provide two line handlers and I will find two more

To checkin and checkout, have 6 copies of passport/crew list/boat
registry/cruising permit, and It will be done at Shelter bay with the
Inspector on site.
Check in - no charge
Cruising permit $193.00 + $10.00 tip to maritime inspector to obtain it down
town. Compulsary when entering marinas or navigating our local islands.
We have checked in and paid this fee (and have the receipt)


Check out fee $13.70
Ok



Immigration entry stamp at Shelter bay with inspector on site. No charge,
After 3 days in the country the law establish that you require a visa.
We paid when we arrived in Porvenir in the Spring and we have our passports stamped again when we arrived at the airport from the USA last week.



Immigration $110.00 Visa , will require copies of passport of each one ,
check in form, crew list,
Do our voluntary line handlers and the two professionals that you provide need to be included on our crew list?


boat registry and cruising permit and you will do
it yourself in town as they require everyone
    Who is everyone? Pick one below:
        a) my wife and me
        b) my wife, me, and the two line handlers we find from other yachts
        c) my wife, me, the two line handlers we find, and the two line handlers you provide
    


for finger prints and passport
photos.

Preparing for the Panama Canal

The rainy season continues with huge amounts of rain (someone said, a foot of rain yesterday alone!) and the power was out almost all day yesterday and for many hours from time to time.  There is extensive flooding in the city of Colon so getting things (laundry, Internet) done is a challenge.

A Webcam of the canal's locks is at:



http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.html?cam=Miraflores

This gives you locks at both ends of the canal, not just Miraflores.  We will be at the Gatun Locks first.  Play with it.  Canal fees (and procedures???) changed on October 1, 2012.   I will just post the e-mails to/from the agent we are hiring so you will know what we know directly.

Dear Capt John ,

First of all thanks for contacting us.

I here to anticipate proforma and scenario for your sailing boat.

Transit tolls                 $800.00  ( 50 ft and under)  or $1,300.00 ( 50
ft and under 80 ft)
Transit inspection              54.00
Transit Security fee            130.00

Agent service Fee             $350.00

Procedure:

Advance information will be required to register your boat with the Canal
Authorities. (email back to me)

Have you transit before and Sin number?:
Name of Yacht:
Length:
Beam:
Draft:
Gross Tonnage:
Nett Tonnage:
Call sign:
Registration number and Country:
Speed:
Hull Color:
Email:
Last port and next port
Boat builder name & country & year:
How many engines & brand & HP:

Captain:  name:    date of birth:    nationality:    passport no.:
Crew on board:

Scenario:
Once the above information is submitted to the canal authorities a Ship
Identification Number is assigned, I will provide you the number by email .
and register an arrival time as well.

With an arrival time register I may order the Canal Admeasurement inspector
to measure your boat at Shelter Bay Marina Cristobal, inspection are done
Monday through Friday and they are not done daily due to other commitments
with merchant vessel. However I will be pushing to obtain an inspection as
soon as possible, therefore, could be two to three days for an inspection or
if we are lucky the following day of your arrival if its Monday-Friday and
In some cases on Saturdays as well.

Upon completion of admeasurement inspection a transit can be obtain for
between 2-3 days after if season is low, or a fix date with anticipation and
also due to and subject to transit advisor Disponibility. Once a transit is
line up I will then collect funds, Transit tolls and agent fee in Cash 3 to
4 business days before, in order to Guarantee your transit.  No Buffer
(Deposit) fee is request from my side when transit is Atlantic to Pacific.

Then I will provide Tires Fenders and 4 set of lines 125 ft long 7/8 for
transit and they are included in my service fee.
Transit pilot are assigned from 1:00 to 7:00 pm daily and you will transit
up to Gatun lake and then resume the following day about 0600hrs and be
completing passage about 1400hrs


You will need 4 person as handliners for canal transit + the Captain
steering, recommend to obtain assistant from other yachts who are willing to
help and get Experience before hand.  Or I will provide at a cost of $90.00
each for the two day passage. 
I will only accept other sailors from other yachts or incoming
friends/family of yours to be handliners, no other local who is not
authorize by me.

To checkin and checkout, have 6 copies of passport/crew list/boat
registry/cruising permit, and It will be done at Shelter bay with the
Inspector on site.
Check in - no charge
Cruising permit $193.00 + $10.00 tip to maritime inspector to obtain it down
town. Compulsary when entering marinas or navigating our local islands.
Check out fee $13.70

Immigration entry stamp at Shelter bay with inspector on site. No charge,
After 3 days in the country the law establish that you require a visa.

Immigration $110.00 Visa , will require copies of passport of each one ,
check in form, crew list, boat registry and cruising permit and you will do
it yourself in town as they require everyone for finger prints and passport
photos.
Servicio de Migracion
Calle 11, Avenida Melendez,
Colon

Best regards

Erick Galvez
Centenario & Co.S.A.
Mbl. (507) 6676-1376



-----Mensaje original-----
De: Matheson John [mailto:jupiters_smile@me.com]
Enviado el: Saturday, November 24, 2012 3:39 PM
Para: info@centenarioconsulting.com
Asunto: Jupiter's Smile Canal Transit

Dear Eric,
You come highly recommended.  I am John Andrew Matheson Jr and my wife is
Barbara Helen Matheson.  We are USA citizens and have just arrived back to
the boat one week ago.  Jupiter's Smile is an Island Packet 370 sailing
sloop, USA registry #1163525, commissioned in 2004.  Barbara and I wish to
make our transit as soon as possible since we are now back in the water at
Shelter Bay and it seems that all the boat systems are working.  I
understand that the earliest admeasurement would be Tuesday, 27 November and
that we would have an advisor available soon after that, possibly during the
week, but more certainly on the week end.  We look forward to meeting you
and working with you.
John
6953 3877
e-mail: jupiters.smile@gmail.com