In years past, it could take up to a month to get scheduled for a canal transit. Due to decreased traffic, we were scheduled to leave in two days. We had to hire two line handlers because sailboats require 4 line handlers (Ken and I were the other two) in addition to the captain (Ralph). On 4/29, Alphonso and Junior arrived at our boat at 5:45 a.m., as scheduled. They were absolutely delightful from the first minute aboard - what good luck! The first task was to tie tires onto the boat to protect the sides and organize the lines to secure us to each lock or to whatever vessel we would tie up to while in the locks. We left our dock around 6:00 a.m. for the trip to the waiting buoy where we were scheduled to get our transit instructions at 7:00 a.m.
As we were waiting, we spotted this fishing boat, Cacique. We thought it would be perfect to end our trip by transiting with them since we had been looking out for fishing boats and fishing lines since we left Ensenada six months ago! On the up locks from the Pacific, the boat order is for a freighter to tie up first and then smaller boats to tie up behind the freighter depending upon how much room is left in the lock.
The ACP provides a trip advisor whose job it is to remain in communication with command central during the transit. He instructs us on how fast to go and how to tie up in each lock. Francisco, our advisor, was originally scheduled to be on board at 7:00 a.m. But, he was sent out an hour late. Here Francisco is confirming that we are to follow the fishing boat into the first lock. Hooray! However, since the freighter ahead of the fishing boat had trouble positioning itself into the lock, we ended up driving in circles for 2 hours until we were allowed into the first Miraflores Lock at 10:00 a.m.
Finally, we are in the first lock at Miraflores. Here you see the freighter at the front of the lock. The tug behind the freighter is tied to the lock wall. Cacique is tied to the tug. Junior is preparing the line which will tie us up to Cacique.
Once we were tied up, the lock doors were closed and we were on our way! We are not in the Ballard Locks anymore...
In years past, it could take up to a month to get scheduled for a canal transit. Due to decreased traffic, we were scheduled to leave in two days. We had to hire two line handlers because sailboats require 4 line handlers (Ken and I were the other two) in addition to the captain (Ralph). On 4/29, Alphonso and Junior arrived at our boat at 5:45 a.m., as scheduled. They were absolutely delightful from the first minute aboard - what good luck! The first task was to tie tires onto the boat to protect the sides and organize the lines to secure us to each lock or to whatever vessel we would tie up to while in the locks. We left our dock around 6:00 a.m. for the trip to the waiting buoy where we were scheduled to get our transit instructions at 7:00 a.m.
As we were waiting, we spotted this fishing boat, Cacique. We thought it would be perfect to end our trip by transiting with them since we had been looking out for fishing boats and fishing lines since we left Ensenada six months ago! On the up locks from the Pacific, the boat order is for a freighter to tie up first and then smaller boats to tie up behind the freighter depending upon how much room is left in the lock.
The ACP provides a trip advisor whose job it is to remain in communication with command central during the transit. He instructs us on how fast to go and how to tie up in each lock. Francisco, our advisor, was originally scheduled to be on board at 7:00 a.m. But, he was sent out an hour late. Here Francisco is confirming that we are to follow the fishing boat into the first lock. Hooray! However, since the freighter ahead of the fishing boat had trouble positioning itself into the lock, we ended up driving in circles for 2 hours until we were allowed into the first Miraflores Lock at 10:00 a.m.
Finally, we are in the first lock at Miraflores. Here you see the freighter at the front of the lock. The tug behind the freighter is tied to the lock wall. Cacique is tied to the tug. Junior is preparing the line which will tie us up to Cacique.
Once we were tied up, the lock doors were closed and we were on our way! We are not in the Ballard Locks anymore...
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