Zac's Blog: Canal Transit Update I

Monday, May 18, 2009

Canal Transit Update I

Hello All,
Spoke with the boys at Shelter Bay this morning. They are packing up Intrepid with food for the linehandlers and pilot, extra lines, tires ect.

Zac understood that they are to meet the pilot at 4:00pm Panama time but that they are likely not to be in the locks until 6:00pm. Right now the Gatun Locks web cam is pointed at the approach to the locks. You may be able to see them on the approach on the web cams but they probably won't be in the locks themselves until a few hours later.

Once in the canal Intrepid will be side-tied to a catamaran called Pura Vida. They expect to be anchored in Lake Gatun by 9:00pm Panama time/7:00pm PDT/10:00pmEDT.

Someone asked if the footage will be saved somehow. Yes, the Panama Canal Authority will save a hard copy of Zac's transit that will eventually be posted here on Zac's site.

Zac is planning on calling with any updates or newly understood time frames. The passage from Lake Gatun to the Miraflores Locks is about 30 miles long. Zac thought it would take until about 2:00pm Panama time tomorrow to get to the Miraflores Locks.

All for now. Will update as needed.

Marianne

252 Comments:

Anonymous said...: @ anon [and anyone else] re "live feed" web cam. Please note it's time-lapse photography, not real-time. Note carefully there is a red line above the picture of the lock. It will increase to the width of the picture then turn green and build up again. Approximately every 2 minutes. When it reaches a full green line, the picture refresh (updates). On the Gatun Lock picture the lines or guage is very very small even on a big screen but you can see it if you look for it. You can see it better on the hi-rez Miraflores cam.

Just stare at the picture for about 2 minutes and you will see it 'blip' as it changes -- there's not much to see if there is no boat or even if there is a boat since it's not moving, each update is just that of the same. Don't worry, just keep staring :-); May 18, 2009 at 10:47 AM
Anonymous said...: Whew, i am so excited. It is so bittersweet tho. I know there is still much to do and miles to go and it is time to resist becoming complacent but wow, he is so close to home. I am really looking forward to stories of the Canal crossing.

God Bless and stay safe,
Kathy
Bend, OR; May 18, 2009 at 10:48 AM
Debbie said...: This is all so exciting! :); May 18, 2009 at 10:51 AM
Diane Wilkinson said...: How lucky Zac is to have his Dad with him for this wonderful experience of going through the canal. I am disappointed that the pilot time is a little later than we had hoped. I don't think there will be daylight for us to watch live on the cam.Maybe we can see something tomorrow. I am on the west coast as well. Will check it on video later.
Reading bout Zac and Laurence together reminded me of a memorable transit with my Dad many many years ago when I was delivering a trawler from Florida to Acapulco.
Marianne you are an amazing woman, your support and love for your family shines through. I cannot believe the final leg will be starting in less than a week. And I can hardly wait to see what Jen does with all her beautiful pictures.; May 18, 2009 at 11:01 AM
Anonymous said...: I have a purely technical question re: sailing record qualifications. (No, I am NOT being critical of anyone here folks...so go easy)

I assuming using the Canal is a "legitimate" route vis a vis "sailing around the world" but, obviously, no one can actually transit that section of "around the world" alone, as a pilot and line handlers are absolutely required.

So, do all potential "solo" record holders just get a "time out - don't look at the extra people on my boat") for that portion of the trip?

Steve in CA; May 18, 2009 at 11:40 AM
Anonymous said...: Looks like pretty good weather right now, but some clouds over on the Pacific side.

The 'refresh' rate for the webcam at Gatum is about 2 minutes or so, but can go up to 5 minutes. The picture normally runs about 2 minutes behind real time.

Over at Miraflores, the hi-res picture runs even more behind real time.

I've been watching the action in the locks for the last few days. It looks like they're doing the same thing now that they did when I went through on a boat (Intrepid size) a few years ago. They put the freighters into the lock first, and then put the pleasure boats (like Intrepid) in at the back. So when you're watching, you have to look carefully at the pictures to see Intrepid.

Of course, the best look at Intrepid will be the hi-res webcam at Miraflores on Tuesday.

Being behind the large ships in the locks with all the wash from their propellers makes it difficult. As Marianne indicated in her post, controlling the boat is a challenge, and those line-handlers are extremely important.

Thanks for keeping us up to date, Marianne. Much appreciated.

Papajock; May 18, 2009 at 11:41 AM
Marie from WA St. said...: I am another Zac fan that has been "tagging along" since his voyage began last June. Having never posted a comment before, I figure I'd best get with it before he arrives back in MDR! I am so in awe of Zac and his entire family. I pray for a safe transit and thank everyone involved in making it possible for all of us to watch this incredible event. I am soooo excited!

To all the "regulars", i.e. Anita, UK Friend, Bill Mann, Peter, The Croaker, Mouse, Daveh, just to name a few... Thank you for your thoughts that you so artfully put into words. You all feel like an extended part of my family.

Zac and Laurence, have a glorious day! We'll be watching!

Blessings to all,
Marie; May 18, 2009 at 11:50 AM
STEVE B said...: All those alone hours in the open ocean without anyone really knowing an exact location and now we can watch for Zac on camera as he goes through the ditch!

Zac,
Can you work on the new sail while going through the locks? Any other repairs to slow you down once you are on the other side? Is your next planned port MDR?

Glad to see the exposure on Fox News. It is exciting to see you getting ready to head for home. I hope more news crews will begin to take notice the closer you get to home. My guess is that companies and news organizations alike are hesitant to sponsor or follow your story too closely for fear of encouraging others to undertake such a dangerous quest. Now that you are getting closer to home I would pursue new sponsorship money and media airtime even more aggressively than you did prior to departure.; May 18, 2009 at 12:22 PM
Anonymous said...: What super posts from everyone and WELCOME to Marie from Washington ST....glad you came to say 'hello'.
It is like family here, isn't it.
I think we are all getting excited...understatement!!
I might be having a late night as we (UK) are 6 hours in front of the webcam time.
Thanks for the latest news Marianne...I can imagine your excitement and I guess some apprehension too.Hugs to you all there at home.

UK friend

UK friend; May 18, 2009 at 12:23 PM
Anonymous said...: @Steve,

The legal requirement for ships of all description to take onboard a local licensed pilot for transit through or in and out of ports all over the world cannot be overcome. In many situations, it is the pilot himself who takes the helm and does the navigation by hand. Since it is part and parcel of the journey, it is a legitimate (literally) part of the solo circumnavigation.

-HB Canada; May 18, 2009 at 12:50 PM
Anonymous said...: Thanks for the lock timing update, Marianne!

As more and more Zacers hit the canal webcams, their refresh rate is getting slower and slower - so can everyone please get off! :)
Just kidding! But it is frustrating. Let's hope they don;t get so slow that Zac slips through between refreshes! Now that WOULD be frustrating!; May 18, 2009 at 1:05 PM
Anonymous said...: Good question there Steve in CA. There are a number of definitions for circumnavigation. Panama and Suez Canal are accepted routings. Most definitions include borders and boundry considerations, while at the same time all define circumnavigation as complete 'the great circle' and to pass "at least one pair of antipodal points; two places on the surface of the globe that are diametrically opposite to each other"

I think this has already been achieved. And as with the non-stop solo Vendee Globe, stopping at anchor is actually permitted. A rule within the rules :-)

On top of all of that the Panama Canal is a fresh water lake. Not any ocean or sea. One would expect that this transit point is not included for all the above reasons. A more interesting question perhaps would be say if there was no Panama Canal. Could you haul your boat ashore, truck it overland and launch it on the other side and continue on your merry way. It's basically the same thing if indeed transiting Panama Canal with pilots and line handlers is "allowed".

:-); May 18, 2009 at 1:19 PM
Anonymous said...: Does Zac have a Jolly Roger flag handy? Maybe he can hoist it to the top of the mast so we can pin-point him in the lock. I'm wondering if the lock is 30 feet deep, the angle looking down on the Gatun camera, if he is against the inside wall, we may not see him. Or better still paint a big yellow smiley face on the main sail and hoist that :-); May 18, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Marilyn said...: As I've been watching (about 20 minutes), the camera at the Gatlun Locks has only captured ships/boats going from left to right, or from behind the camera toward the big body of water that looks like a lake in the distance. Is Zac approaching from the other way; i.e., coming from the lake toward the camera? It's confusing to try and figure out directions. It's also almost impossible to see both directions of locks at Gatlun, unlike Miraflores, which is quite obvious.

Marilyn in Woodland Hills; May 18, 2009 at 1:59 PM
Sisyphus said...: If anyone needs a laugh, check out the "Automatically Generated Transcript (may not be 100% accurate)" under Zac's Fox News interview. Hilarious:

" Rick thank you very much you know he's not old enough to vote -- Sunderland is attempting to become the youngest sailor to ever sail around the globe by himself. After out running pirates along the way he's almost all from Colin pawn him off -- Sunderland Panama rather -- Sunderland joins us live over the Internet. By have that interest in Scott technology -- most people you know. Seventeen years old I think made about a wild weekend at the beach you know taken a little time -- you decide to sail around the world. Why did you decide to do this."

" You know well the -- backed elements. But on sales. -- that the NC you know. -- Yeah I got everything together and got some sponsors -- bouts or months after I -- mother and a now tell me about the pirate you had an encounter with pirates. Yeah it was which mean. A string through assuming I have had really lightly inside -- us -- coast -- Indonesia traffic if -- intense. Ended up having this. Same -- seats on the live kind of black. Food and iPhone my bill around in the room including courses -- you know altering course now that. Let's luckily enough votes -- Australia that -- get a radio contact them and ended up on them. And it's an abacus watch this is a plane it's imminent. But to it's and -- him -- on votes. Yeah what he's getting very close to home -- and Panama right now -- Sunderland good luck on the rest of your trip glad you could join us today."

" All right thanks a -- that Morocco."; May 18, 2009 at 2:00 PM
Fulgum said...: Cool! Zac's made it to the Panama Canal! Another milestone. i can't believe he is almost at the Pacific Ocean again. Way to go, Zac!

Scott

:); May 18, 2009 at 2:02 PM
Anonymous said...: anyone spot him yet?; May 18, 2009 at 2:18 PM
Anonymous said...: Sunset is @ 6:31 PM their time today. Hopefully if Zac enters the lock by 6 pm, we'll see him exit it. Doesn't seem to take very long for those massive freighters to arrive and then exit the lock, so with a bit of luck we may still see the entire procedure.; May 18, 2009 at 2:22 PM
Laura said...: I see something small and white back there..is that u Zac?; May 18, 2009 at 2:25 PM
Axel said...: Is he on the way??; May 18, 2009 at 2:31 PM
Anonymous said...: Marilyn Zac will be coming from behind the camera. What you are seeing is the camera pointing to today's exit of the lock into the lake. Today's last slot in the time table is for north bound shipping, which includes Zac.; May 18, 2009 at 2:36 PM
Anonymous said...: Zac has been delayed by 2 hours (1.5 hours as of this post). For some unknown reason his appointment was pushed back to a 6:00pm Panama time meeting in the waiting area off the locks to pick up the pilot. As far as I know, he will still be side tied, once in the locks, with the catamaran. I believe that the locks are fairly well lit at night. Comment moderation is off. I'll send over updates as I receive them.
Very exciting!
Marianne; May 18, 2009 at 2:38 PM
Ehvee said...: Some just posted that this camera view is toward the lake.. I disagree because the water level is going down before the ships exit. If they were exiting into the lake, the water level would be going up. I think we are looking the correct direction to see Zac approach the locks, although apparently not for another hour or so.

Alan; May 18, 2009 at 2:42 PM
Marie from WA State said...: Exciting, indeed! I'm sure I'm not the only one on the edge of my seat!; May 18, 2009 at 2:44 PM
Marilyn said...: Marianne said the camera was pointing to the approach. That's what Alan just confirmed, but an Anon. blogger said the opposite. Can someone confirm which it is, so we know whether to be looking at the boats approaching from the big body of water to the right in the photo, or looking behind the big ships going through from left to right?

Marilyn in Woodland Hills; May 18, 2009 at 2:53 PM
Anonymous said...: Based on the images in Google Earth, it sure looks like the camera is pointing to the approach and we'll see Zac coming.; May 18, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Ehvee said...: Just to bring some perspective to this too.. Intrepid is going to look like a spec when it finally is visible... the lock is over 10feet wide and each section is over 600 feet long. So don't look for obvious things.. look for zac to be a little bitty boat in a big tub!; May 18, 2009 at 2:59 PM
Ehvee said...: oops, typo... thats 100 feet wide, not 10

sorry; May 18, 2009 at 3:00 PM
Unknown said...: Good detective work, Alan. You can also see it's the approach side by looking at the "webcam location" tab - there are buildings on the East(right) side of the canal that are visible in the webcam picture AND the satellite view.; May 18, 2009 at 3:02 PM
Anonymous said...: For those unsure which way Zac will be moving relative to the cameras . . .

Both cameras (Gatun and Mirflores) are (currently) pointing north (look how the sun shines - between showers!) - and Zac will be travelling south - in other words towards the cameras.

Also, think about it - the entry locks go up and the exit locks go down.

Annoying that his appointment is put back, Marianne, looks like UK/Euro followers (like me) are in for some sleep deprivation - but Zac knows more about that than most of us!

DD (UK)

PS - Thx for turing moderation off with all this activity and excitement!; May 18, 2009 at 3:04 PM
Unknown said...: Marianne, Thanks for all you do to keep us informed
What an exciting day this is. After reading about our hero's experience for so long. We get to see him in action. How lucky we are!!

I am anxiously glued to the screen awaiting his journey. I watched a PBS show on the canal Crossing some time ago, and was quite intrigued

Zac, Good Luck on the crossing!!!!
Sherna; May 18, 2009 at 3:06 PM
Anonymous said...: As Alan has said - seeing Zac on the Gatun webcam is going to be difficult even under the floodlights.

Let's hope he has a daytime appointment at Miraflores where there's a far superior webcam!; May 18, 2009 at 3:10 PM
Anonymous said...: Yep, looks like they now approaching the lock. That's big boat coming in. So it must be the correct direction now with inbound vessels. We'll now soon enough when they start entering that we are on the correct side. Unless they flip the camera around to show them all exiting into the lake LOL!; May 18, 2009 at 3:12 PM
Tomi said...: Miraflores Camera is currently aiming SW (see sun reflection).; May 18, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Tomi said...: my bad - it's facing nw.; May 18, 2009 at 3:23 PM
Anonymous said...: There are two faint specks behind the second large ship. Maybe Zac and the cat? 30 minutes to go for their 6 pm approach, may very well be in the vicinity right about now.; May 18, 2009 at 3:27 PM
Anonymous said...: Maybe the clue to see Zac will be the catamaran...maybe???

UK friend; May 18, 2009 at 3:33 PM
Anonymous said...: Good idea UK Friend. A quick google of the name of the cat showed one for sale, being 67 ft, so that would surely stand out if it is the same one.; May 18, 2009 at 3:35 PM
Ehvee said...: One thing that surprised me about this was the cost. The fee to use the canal is like $1500 plus zac is having to pay all the expenses of the pilot and line handlers.

Marianne won't say this, but our donations do help!; May 18, 2009 at 3:36 PM
Jeff said...: This is a photo looking down Gatun Locks to the Caribbean Sea and what Zac will be climbing once he gets into the locks.

http://www.Kroooz-Cams.com/gatun.jpg

jeff; May 18, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Tomi said...: Thx Alan for the reminder - forgot to order another shirt :); May 18, 2009 at 3:44 PM
Anonymous said...: Oh boy, this is too much!
I have new glasses but even they aren't helping!
Marianne...how must you feel...I'm sooo excited and I can't even see him!

UK friend; May 18, 2009 at 3:45 PM
Unknown said...: Marianne you need to start thinking about restraint when you finally see Zac in person in MDR - you don't want to break any ribs! I plan to be there to greet Zac in person!

Bob Wilson
Laguna Niguel,CA; May 18, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Marie said...: Really not sure if it is the tears or my glasses causing my vision issues! Cannot wait until we can really see Intrepid!!!; May 18, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Anonymous said...: Looks like another freighter and a tug. The seem to go in two by two. Different channels. Maybe they are behind this next freighter and will partner with that. Unless they fit 4 vessels in the lock at a time, then this one will squeeze in with the other two already in? Plus we'll have to wait for a fourth? Very complicated video game this, where's the joystick! :-); May 18, 2009 at 3:50 PM
Ehvee said...: I'm hoping Zac will call mom when he's pulling into the lock, and Mom will then jump on here and give us all a heads up...

Zac's web site gets 100,000+ hits a day... I wonder if we make up the largest number of people to all watch a crossing that the canal has ever had. Kudos to the web cams for surviving us :); May 18, 2009 at 3:53 PM
Tomi said...: LOL anon - at least the rain seems ot have stopped :D; May 18, 2009 at 3:54 PM
Anonymous said...: It is likely that Intrepid and Pura Vida (the catamaran he will side-tie to) will enter the lock after a larger ship and share the ride.
Marianne; May 18, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Anita said...: Very Exciting!!!
I see the freighter and the tug but no sign of Zac yet!!
Anita; May 18, 2009 at 3:55 PM
Ehvee said...: Sharing with a ship? Thats scary.. Marianne are Lawrence and Jen on board too?; May 18, 2009 at 3:57 PM
Anita said...: The cams at the Miraflores locks seem to have a better view...that will be fun to watch tomorrow!!
Anita; May 18, 2009 at 3:58 PM
Anonymous said...: Yes that is a scary thought...sharing with a bigger ship and strapped on the side of a catamran!!!
Oh my.

UK friend; May 18, 2009 at 4:01 PM
Anonymous said...: With the delay, the pilot should just be getting aboard now, right?; May 18, 2009 at 4:02 PM
Unknown said...: What a fun day! Watched live video of the astronauts repairing Hubble, then tracking the former astronaut Scott Parazynski who is about to reach the peak of Mt. Everest (now at Camp III, two days from the summit), now hoping to see Intrepid enter the canal. Gosh, ain't the internet great!; May 18, 2009 at 4:05 PM
Laura said...: darn i wish Gatun was as clear as Miraflores..all my co-workers keep asking"any sign of Zac yet" this is great!; May 18, 2009 at 4:06 PM
Marilyn said...: Do you think that's him right now in the one coming in this direction? Sure looks like it!

Marilyn; May 18, 2009 at 4:07 PM
Anonymous said...: Marianne, any idea when he will be going through Miraflores?; May 18, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Marilyn said...: There are two small white craft at the time 18:07. Very difficult to see, though.

Marilyn; May 18, 2009 at 4:09 PM
Trevor Leslie, London UK said...: Is it me or is there something small (about the right size?) with a mast "loitering" centre right of frame, outside the entrance to the lock?; May 18, 2009 at 4:10 PM
Anonymous said...: What's Zac's latest coordinates? We can track him on google earth. I think the SPOT has a full time tracker setting, where it pings the coordinates every few minutes.; May 18, 2009 at 4:11 PM
Anonymous said...: I see what you're looking at Trevor...I think anyway....ummm!
Could it be???

UK friend; May 18, 2009 at 4:14 PM
Anonymous said...: I can't stand the excitement!; May 18, 2009 at 4:16 PM
Laura said...: we might see the mast on the cat; May 18, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Melanie said...: I can't stand the excitment!

Melanie; May 18, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Mouse on a Motorcycle said...: Not certain, but I think that shape on the right is something on the camera lens. It hasn't moved.

Mouse in Whittier; May 18, 2009 at 4:17 PM
Anonymous said...: hehe I see a wake forming just off camera top right.; May 18, 2009 at 4:18 PM
Anonymous said...: somethings definitely coming middle right

UK friend; May 18, 2009 at 4:19 PM
Anita said...: Just behind the freighter, on the pier...maybe that's the cat???; May 18, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Anonymous said...: Just above those two dots, where the water is flat around it (that hasn't moved), just above is some movement, definitive wake and a blob moving in/out of the frame.; May 18, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Unknown said...: that has to be the mast of either Intrepid or the catamaran at the entrance to the lock right now!; May 18, 2009 at 4:21 PM
Anonymous said...: that is a fairly small ship waiting to go through so I wonder if the delay is because they are waiting for another ship to go through with it. It isn't economical to just have a small ship go through. However I see no ships in the approaches. My husband went through on a frieghter years ago and had to wait until there were enough ships to go through.
The little blip on the right is an approach buoy.; May 18, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Laura said...: Any word Mom?; May 18, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Anonymous said...: Mouse, I think you're right....boohoo; May 18, 2009 at 4:22 PM
Anonymous said...: Looks like the tug is heading in that direct now.; May 18, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Ehvee said...: I see where Mike Parham has had to pull his yacht out of the water yet again, and order more parts from France. That will delay him leaving New Zealand for another week. He certainly has a lot of patience... and he needs someone like Lawrence! Good on his parents for sticking by him though.; May 18, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Anonymous said...: Follow that tug!; May 18, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Trevor Leslie, London UK said...: We may be a bit premature.

The thing I've identified that some think hasn't moved... I'm convinced I watched it approach cam (with a wake), U-turn and then probably hold station (anchored? grabbed a mooring buoy) - Zac waiting for the cat. to enter the lock (behind whatever) before going in alongside himself?

Equally, though.... oh wait THAT IS DEFINITELUY THE CAT NOW APPROACHING MY SPECK!; May 18, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Marie said...: Does anyone know where in comparison to the locks is the waiting area that Zac will be coming from?; May 18, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey gang, I hate to throw cold water on your excitement, but Zac and the Cat will be entering the lock from the lower left of the picture. The cam is actually looking toward Lake Gantun. Remember John Milton: "They also serve who only sit and wait!"

Dale in LA; May 18, 2009 at 4:27 PM
Ehvee said...: I suspect that the thing on the right a couple hundred yards out in the water is a buoy thats becomming easier to see as the sun sets and shadows get longer...; May 18, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Unknown said...: nope, what I saw was a crane on a large ship now entering the lock. Still looking...; May 18, 2009 at 4:28 PM
Ehvee said...: I retrack my buoy idea... that would probably be too small to even see... hmm; May 18, 2009 at 4:30 PM
Anonymous said...: Looks like some white vessels coming from the normal direction at the very top. Coming around that bend.; May 18, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Unknown said...: Marianne, are your other kids going crazy trying to see Intrepid?; May 18, 2009 at 4:31 PM
Laura said...: Here he comes!!; May 18, 2009 at 4:32 PM
Anonymous said...: @ Anon who says [i]Hey gang, I hate to throw cold water on your excitement, but Zac and the Cat will be entering the lock from the lower left of the picture. The cam is actually looking toward Lake Gantun.[/i] Wrong!

The lake is higher than the sea - not the other way around - Gatun webcam is looking north to the sea!; May 18, 2009 at 4:34 PM
Trevor Leslie, London UK said...: Respectfully, Dale, you're wrong... suggest you look at the webcam location, switch to satellite view & zoom in - if we're looking into Lake Gatun then where are the angular jetty extensions?

;-); May 18, 2009 at 4:36 PM
Marie said...: Oh Marianne! Hugs from all of us!; May 18, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Marilyn said...: The darker it gets, the less well defined the picture is. I say he went through around 4:05 PDT. There were two small white craft in the lock by themselves.

Marilyn; May 18, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Anonymous said...: No word on this end from Zac. I'm certain that we are looking at the approach to the Gatun Locks. They should have picked up the pilot by now. That may be them coming around the bend. The marina would be on the left hand side of the screen around that bend.
Marianne; May 18, 2009 at 4:38 PM
Anonymous said...: what! No we didn't miss him; May 18, 2009 at 4:40 PM
Anonymous said...: 89 comments and growing - I'm spending more time scrolling down the page than watching the web cam! :); May 18, 2009 at 4:41 PM
Anonymous said...: What's the URL
of the camera most here
are watching?

Thx

Mike; May 18, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Anonymous said...: Looks like 3 boats. One big coming up, which will probably pair with the one in the lock now and two small ones behind it. Once has the profile of a yacht :-); May 18, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Anonymous said...: http://www.pancanal.com/common/multimedia/webcams/viewer-flash/cam-gatun.html; May 18, 2009 at 4:42 PM
Anonymous said...: Fegarding the DIRECTION of travel:

I just want to confirm Marianne's initial post. We are looking at the entrance: ships coming towards us are heading into Gatun from the sea.

If you watch, they are being lifted up in the lock, and will exit left into Gatun Lake.

I've been there on a boat Intrepid's size, and I recall the Gatun Lock.

Papajock; May 18, 2009 at 4:43 PM
Unknown said...: dusk (the lights just came on); May 18, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Tomi said...: @ anon re: scrolling -
Try pressing F5, then enter/yes if asking for secure page, then click anywhere outside the comment box, then press the End key.

Takes ya right to bottom of page.; May 18, 2009 at 4:45 PM
SMR said...: The tanker already in the lock is just about raised up to the next level and nothing behind him. That boat coming up will be the next one to go through. Tanker is now moving out of lock one and into lock two out of screen to left.; May 18, 2009 at 4:45 PM
Anonymous said...: Certainly every refresh is noticably darker :(; May 18, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Anita said...: If we're lucky Zac will have the mast and spreader lights on!; May 18, 2009 at 4:46 PM
Anonymous said...: Oh drats, I have to go fix supper and looks like we won't see Intrepid. looking for boats approaching and their navigation lights, but nothing small enough for a boat like Intrepid or the cat.
So when should he be going through Milaflores?; May 18, 2009 at 4:48 PM
Trevor Leslie, London UK said...: Here we go, this IS it...

medium size ship followed by Intrepid with the cat. right behind; May 18, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Anonymous said...: There appears to be a small vessel behind the next large one - maybe it's him!; May 18, 2009 at 4:49 PM
Anonymous said...: web cam has slowed down. we will miss so much.; May 18, 2009 at 4:50 PM
Anonymous said...: Trevor..how the heck can you see that?; May 18, 2009 at 4:50 PM
SMR said...: We may be in luck - looks like they are headed for the lock closer to the camera - once they raise up it's a better view of the boats.; May 18, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Anonymous said...: We should have thought ahead and dug out some christmas tree lights for him to run up the stays!; May 18, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Anonymous said...: Thanks for the note, Trevor. I stand dejected...er, corrected! But, for the life of me I can't relate anything in the web cam picture to the satellite view. I guess it's cuz of that earthquake we had last night! Sigh!

Dale in LA-CA; May 18, 2009 at 4:52 PM
Marie said...: We haven't been glued to our screens all afternoon to be discouraged by darkness, have we? Surely our guys will come into view soon...; May 18, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Anonymous said...: Does traffic continue through the canal 24/7?; May 18, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Trevor Leslie, London UK said...: I can't now - it was just before the light level dropped and resolution suffered.

HOWEVER the configuration & relative sizes by comparison are consistent... small ship, small monohull yacht, medium size catamaran yacht; May 18, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Anonymous said...: Please tell me it isn't just me, is anyone else finding the web cam has slowed down, it is going to be half an hour between changes the way things are going. The latest pic I am seeing was at 18.44.52hrs.; May 18, 2009 at 4:54 PM
SMR said...: With the amount of light on the docks I think we may be able to see them once they are in the lock.; May 18, 2009 at 4:54 PM
Mouse on a Motorcycle said...: Smudge must be a buoy. Spots on a lens don't light up green. ;-P

Mouse in Whittier; May 18, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Ehvee said...: If your webcam seem stuck, hit F5 to refresh it...; May 18, 2009 at 4:56 PM
Tomi said...: @ anon re: webcam slowed down-
Noticed earlier today it stops auto-refreshing. Try clicking on the webcam page & then pressing F5 to refresh page.; May 18, 2009 at 4:57 PM
Anonymous said...: i am still getting ~2 min updates from the web cam, you may need to refresh - sure hope it is them back there! your oklahoma well-wisher; May 18, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Anonymous said...: 1 am in UK.....aghhhhh!

UK friend; May 18, 2009 at 4:58 PM
Anonymous said...: Alan, thank you. Wow that kock is lit up like a christmas tree.
Yes the canal operates 24/7. Yea they are using the nearside lock. Keep your fingers crossed all.
J; May 18, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Trevor Leslie, London UK said...: @anon re slow webcam

Suggest you manually refresh or reboot or something... the cam is running at normal speed still.

I've been watching the webcams for the past few days and sometimes my view freezes - fixed by reloading the page.

Had a nightmare moment about an hour ago when my ISP sent a routine refresh to my router, taking me offline for 5 minutes!

Dale - hope the earthquake was minor & your faculties are all fully intact and now reinstated!

;-); May 18, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Anonymous said...: ouch, sorry that should have said LOCK. I am tired. J; May 18, 2009 at 4:59 PM
Ehvee said...: Now I'm very glad Zac will have a pilot on board since he will be sailing a number of miles up into the lake (eventually) tonite in the dark! The pilot will know exactly where to go safely.; May 18, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Marie said...: UK Friend --- hang in there!; May 18, 2009 at 5:00 PM
Laura said...: so once he gets through Gatun, will he stop again and wait over night to go through the second one then Miraflores?; May 18, 2009 at 5:01 PM
SMR said...: No sailboats on this pass. Those other two vessels are larger and will most likely go into the lock on the far side - they have lowered the water level I see. I don't see anything that looks like a sailboat masthead light out there.; May 18, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Anonymous said...: Alan - Knowing where to go is easy! Just avoid the where-not-to-goes! :); May 18, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Ehvee said...: J - Thank you for that great chuckle and break from the tension of watching for Intrepid. You certainly dont see many of *them* all lit up, right :); May 18, 2009 at 5:02 PM
Unknown said...: Perhaps the pilot didn't show up, and the passage isn't happening tonight?; May 18, 2009 at 5:05 PM
Ehvee said...: Laura, he will tie up for the night somewhere in the lake. The line handlers and pilot leave the boat and return tomorrow. Since its about 20 miles to the other end, it will liekly be tomorrow afternoon before he goes "downhill" to the pacific ocean.; May 18, 2009 at 5:05 PM
Anonymous said...: Alan, glad to entertain, honest to Pete, trust me to do something like that in the busiest time in this site.
J; May 18, 2009 at 5:06 PM
Laura said...: Thank u Alan; May 18, 2009 at 5:09 PM
Anonymous said...: is that them that just pulled in?; May 18, 2009 at 5:11 PM
Anonymous said...: I think that's them. J; May 18, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Anonymous said...: Thank you Marie...I'm doing my bestest!
Just had a 'red out' on the webcam....lost the picture altogether.

UK friend; May 18, 2009 at 5:14 PM
jen said...: i think it's them in there now... almost too hard to tell - thank goodness there's going tobe a video at somepoint; May 18, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Anonymous said...: How about this: if we see something that might be a Zac Sighting, we can indicate where it is based on the webcam tabs and text above the picture.

For example: Is that a rocketship under the "t" in "Centennial Bridge"?; May 18, 2009 at 5:15 PM
Trevor Leslie, London UK said...: I honestly can't make anything out anymore - the floodlights dazzle the webcam too much... I may have to call it a night (1.15am here) 'cos I was up at 6 this morning & have to be up at 6 again for work.

Fingers crossed, Zac will pass the other webcams along the canal route during natural daylight hours tomorrow AND that hopefully I'll be back from work and able to watch it.; May 18, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Ehvee said...: Are they in the close channel or the far channel?; May 18, 2009 at 5:16 PM
Anonymous said...: @Anon : that only works for those looking at the cam in tabbed view . . . which some (me included) are not :); May 18, 2009 at 5:17 PM
Anonymous said...: close channel, if that's them. J; May 18, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Anonymous said...: Night all....happy watching...sorry to have to go but can't see anything much now and it is soooo late here.
Thanks for the fun.

UK friend; May 18, 2009 at 5:18 PM
SMR said...: If they are in it's in the far channel.; May 18, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Anonymous said...: If they are using the lock closest to the camera, we'll have a good look them after the lock fills and they exit behind the large ship. I'm not surprised that they're running behind schedule.

5:15am where I am...

Papajock; May 18, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Mouse on a Motorcycle said...: Must be a rocketship. A TARDIS would be too small to see.

-Mouse in Whittier; May 18, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Marie said...: I spoke too soon about not being discouraged because of the darkness. Bummer. Great bright lights on the dock, but that just means lots of reflection! I'll keep my fingers crossed!; May 18, 2009 at 5:19 PM
Anonymous said...: There's something small in the far channel with a blue hull. Though the hull seems quite big. Maybe when the big ship in all yellow, in the near channel leaves, we can see better.; May 18, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Anonymous said...: Well this UK watcher ain't for quitting! . . . yet!

DD (UK); May 18, 2009 at 5:20 PM
Anita said...: night night UK!!!; May 18, 2009 at 5:21 PM
Anonymous said...: Papajock, where are you? J; May 18, 2009 at 5:22 PM
Anonymous said...: Is that Intrepid?

Space shuttle?

Zeppelin?

Floating IHOP?

U-Boat?; May 18, 2009 at 5:23 PM
SMR said...: Single white light just to right of pier - could be a sailboat.; May 18, 2009 at 5:25 PM
Anonymous said...: You know - I'll be really dissapointed if Zac doesn't read every post here!

. . . and really worried about him if he does! :); May 18, 2009 at 5:26 PM
Anonymous said...: i really don't know what i'm looking at anymore... blue hull?? i can't see that, good night UK.... I'll be next!; May 18, 2009 at 5:27 PM
Anita said...: @Sally.....you might be on to something _/); May 18, 2009 at 5:28 PM
Anonymous said...: I'm at the edge of the Caspian Sea... Baku.

Papajock; May 18, 2009 at 5:28 PM
SMR said...: There is either a tug or a sailboat out there - a single white light and it keeps moving just a bit as if it's waiting. It's just to the right of the last big light on the pier.; May 18, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey ho and up she rises.
ok if Intrepid is not on this transit convoy then I am out of here.

Marianne, any news?; May 18, 2009 at 5:30 PM
Anonymous said...: There is an interesting set of small lights getting ready to enter the closest lock. I am going to keep my fingers crossed that it is him. . .; May 18, 2009 at 5:31 PM
Anonymous said...: Should we put out a "Flare Request?"; May 18, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Anonymous said...: Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No - it's yet another damned great container ship! Where's SuperZac?; May 18, 2009 at 5:33 PM
Mouse on a Motorcycle said...: Well, I'm sure that I'll miss him by minutes, but I've got to go a meeting tonight.

-Mouse in Whittier; May 18, 2009 at 5:34 PM
Trevor Leslie, London UK said...: lol@disappointed if Zac doesn't read all this - and worried if he does!

I'm still here... addicted - work be damned, coffee will see me through somehow!

I see what you're talking about, seems to be circling outside nearside (right side of screen) channel with a high (masthead?) and low (bow?) light; May 18, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Anonymous said...: That's no container ship.; May 18, 2009 at 5:35 PM
SMR said...: Small boat on far dock - can't tell what it is - just that it's small; May 18, 2009 at 5:35 PM
Marie said...: Zac, is that you?; May 18, 2009 at 5:37 PM
SMR said...: Could be two masts on far dock one higher one lower. Perhaps it's them? Just waiting for that other ship to clear through.; May 18, 2009 at 5:37 PM
Anonymous said...: Is that a mast I see on the small set of lights? Looks like a cat to me.

Neo; May 18, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Anonymous said...: Thankyou Trevor - I missed my sig of that quip :)

You and I can be the dute UK reps!

DD (UK); May 18, 2009 at 5:38 PM
Anita said...: I think we have a Zac sighting....fingers crossed!!; May 18, 2009 at 5:38 PM
SMR said...: Maybe I'm seeing things but it looks like a cat hull - my eyes are beginning to cross as I stare at this!; May 18, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Anonymous said...: Well silly me, here I am sitting watching all the fun and telling my husband I can't go up to the kitchen to cook supper and he gently reminds me I have a laptop, and it is very portable, Duhhhh. So off we go and I can cook chicken while I wait for Zac.
Fired chicken anyone?
J; May 18, 2009 at 5:39 PM
Anonymous said...: You had good eyes, Sally. I've been watching them move close to the pier on the far side... as if to go into the far lock. That will make them hard to see.

Papajock; May 18, 2009 at 5:40 PM
SMR said...: That has got to be a sailboat mast = it's too short for anything else and it's the right height compared to the big ships we've been seeing.; May 18, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Anonymous said...: @anonymous cooking dinner:

What are you firing the chicken from?; May 18, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Ehvee said...: I tried tweeting Zac just in case his cell phone is on and working...; May 18, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey! Where did he go? He was there one minute and now he is gone!; May 18, 2009 at 5:41 PM
Anonymous said...: Yup. I'm sure that's them going into the far side.

Papajock; May 18, 2009 at 5:42 PM
Tomi said...: almost look slike he's just outside the lock far side; May 18, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Anita said...: WOW I have a new respect for Zac vs. large ships, he's a speck compared to thise ginormus things!!!; May 18, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Anonymous said...: I definitely think that is a mast in the far canal behind the big ship - wouldn't they usually put small vessels behind big vessels?; May 18, 2009 at 5:44 PM
SMR said...: They are way below the dock level so we won't see anything until the water rises. Let's hope that big ship coming up is not going to block our view. Someone call them on the VHF and tell them to hold off - we've got important stuff going on here!!; May 18, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Trevor Leslie, London UK said...: I can just make out the 2 masts (?) at far end of furthest away dock... front one is higher with a light midway up... and just advanced slightly into lock; May 18, 2009 at 5:44 PM
Anonymous said...: I am having a really hard time seeing what is what but that definitely looks like two sail boat masts in the far lock.
Marianne; May 18, 2009 at 5:45 PM
Mona said...: I haven't posted all day, but I've had my eyes glued to the webcam all day and they are starting to cross.
I'm with a previous poster, dinner is going to half to wait. I'm not bailing now!
Mona
Tucson, AZ; May 18, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Anita said...: LOL @ Sally....; May 18, 2009 at 5:46 PM
Anonymous said...: Marianne, I agree - I hope our view doesn't get blocked!; May 18, 2009 at 5:46 PM
SMR said...: Yep, those tankers are big, really, really, big and when you're in a small sailboat it's a rather scary encounter. I've done the C&D a lot and I hate meeting one of them - not much room to get over - and they go FAST.; May 18, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Anonymous said...: At least they're not going through with a large ship. That makes it much easier!

They sure do look small in and around the big ships, and when you're in Zac's position, you sure feel small. Just think of those times the big ships got close to him out at sea...

Papajock; May 18, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Marie said...: Can't wait to know if that's really him...!; May 18, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Anonymous said...: Marianne, if you are right, then we will not see any more of them. Do you have any idea when they are supposed to go through Miraflores locks? J.; May 18, 2009 at 5:48 PM
Ehvee said...: I think I see the masts too... hmmm; May 18, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Anonymous said...: DEFINITELY TWO MASTS!!!; May 18, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Anonymous said...: Big is one thing. Fast is another. That they aren't looking where they are going is the bit that freaks you out!; May 18, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Marie said...: Yep...dinner is going to have to wait!; May 18, 2009 at 5:50 PM
SMR said...: Water level is rising!!; May 18, 2009 at 5:51 PM
Anonymous said...: After Intrepid passes through this first set of locks she will anchor in Lake Gatun for the night. In the morning they will make their way to the next set of locks. Zac predicted it would be about 2-3 in his afternoon tomorrow. The passage between lock sets is 30 miles or so. Hopefully, I will get an update at some point. I imagine they are a tad busy.
Marianne; May 18, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Trevor Leslie, London UK said...: Still just make them out again now, both masts have lights on... directly above the PAN of the caption, 1/3 up from bottom of image, behind the black ship.

Note the time we think he's in the lock 'cos it's probably recorded elsewhere 1945-1950 local time 18 May 2009; May 18, 2009 at 5:52 PM
Anonymous said...: Have a little patience, and when the water level rises on the far side, we'll get a better view of Intrepid (or as good as we're going to get in the dark).

Papajock; May 18, 2009 at 5:53 PM
Ehvee said...: I've got some screen captures... it does look like sailboats back there...; May 18, 2009 at 5:54 PM

Zac's Blog

Monday, May 18, 2009

Canal Transit Update I

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