Below is the map of our transit through the Panama Canal.  We spent one night in Gatun Lake and completed the transit in 24 hours.

Shelter Bay Marina on the Caribbean side of Panama where we staged for our Panama Canal transit.

The Harbor Master definitely wanted to test my docking skills with this very tight slip.

This was a pleasant surprise. We got the World Series games on the Sea Rose TV.

Went for a walk and spotted quite a few Toucans in the trees.

Geary always claimed he went to the pool to read, not sleep, but now we have the evidence.

Our Agent dropped off the fenders and lines we will need while we are transiting the Panama Canal.

Mike is all fired up as we finally make our way to the Gatun Locks to begin our transit.  As you can see, the Panama Canal is a busy place with a lot of ships coming and going.

After a 2 hour delay we are given our instructions to follow the white ship ahead.

One large container ship just exiting the Canal.

We have just been informed we will not be transiting with the white ship, but instead wait for another ship coming up from behind us and then move to the other lock. The sun is setting.

Sea Rose is still waiting in the channel for the other ship to come forward so we can enter behind.  The small boats are always behind the larger ships when going up the locks.

Our new transit ship is in place. Now we can enter the lock.  Daniel on the bow is one of our hired line handlers for the transit.  You are required to have 4 line handlers and one adviser.

The chamber doors are closing behind us.  Up we go!

Geary working the starboard stern line.

Mike is handling the port stern line.

The Gatun Locks are a series of three locks rising Sea Rose 84 feet to transition into the fresh water Gatun Lake.

Morning on Gatun Lake.  We spent the night on Gatun Lake and will complete our transit today.

The Panama Canal is a busy shipping lane with many different types and sizes of ships passing through it.

Here’s a car carrier.

A ship carrying wind generation blades, probably to the USA.

Here’s a massive container ship passing by.

Much to our surprise we got passed in the canal by a US warship.

The newly commissioned John P. Murtha Amphibious Assault Ship.

The John P. Murtha passing under the Centennial Bridge which was built to relieve congestion on the the Bridge of Americas.  

Teresa was able to capture Sea Rose entering the Miraflores Locks on one of the Canal’s web cams.

The John P. Murtha being slowly pulled into position behind us.  When going down in the locks the larger ships are to the rear of the lock.

This is a one in a million photos.  Our friends just happened to be in the observation deck at the Miraflores locks not knowing we were transiting.  We had no idea they were there either.  They were able to take this photo and forwarded it to us.  Thank you Steve and Aracely!  Later that night we met up at the Hard Rock Cafe for drinks and stories.

Mike making sure they see us and don’t squash like a bug against the walls.

I just happen to be wearing my battle ship grey shirt and cap this day.

As you can see, there is very little room for error between  John P. Murtha, and the canal walls.

The Miraflores locks opening, so we can move forward into the second and final lock.

Our adviser Victor is picked up by the pilot boat after the transit.

Bridge of the Americas and beyond that, the Pacific Ocean.  We did it!