Panama Canal

[cathyoz]

A mate is going next week to buy a boat in Florida, to sail back to OZ
but i heard that there are delay in the Panamal canal .
does anyone have more infos?
thanks you

[GordMay]

Two stories:
Yachting Monthly, 28 April 2008: Bottleneck at Panama Canal
and
Yachting Monthly, 29 April 2008: ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/20080329103130ymnews.html
Lock repair cause of Panama Canal hold up


"More than 150 yachts are in a marine 'traffic jam' on the Caribbean side of the Panama Canal, awaiting transit to the Pacific Ocean. Many have been told it will be 'weeks' - in one case two months - before they will be able to get through.

This delay could put them in danger of meeting the cyclone (hurricane) season in the South Pacific. One yachtsman is so concerned he is having his boat driven across the Central American isthmus on a low loader. YM Blue Water Letter writer, Rod Heikell and wife Lu, aboard Skylax are among those being held up..."

Yachting Monthly newsdesk: ybw.com/auto/newsdesk/ymnews.htm
Yachting Monthly: news

[Conch Cruzer]

Yes, the canal has significant delays due to a "Working to Rules" strike by the pilots. I am in that neck of the woods now and have a bunch of cruising friends that are in line to go through. It started a few months back with a four week wait for small boats. Now, it is closer to two months and could be more. There is no way around it with agents, bribes, etc. You must get there and be measured to get on the list. Many friends of mine are getting measured and then heading off to San Blas to wait out the majority of their delay time.

Sorry if this is bad news.

Cheers,
Dan
S/V Eventyr

[cathyoz]

thanks you , for your reply
i will pass them on to my friend

[David M]

There is also a mention of the delay in Latitude 38.

[cooper]

Even the power boat currently trying to set a round the world speed record was made wait for two days !!!

[cooper]

as above Powerboat-World : Boating news