"Oh Ship!"
This morning the wind dropped off some and my speeds reacted in kind. It has been squally and there have been a lot more ships today. I have been enjoying the day and not stressing over what time I arrive in Panama which should be some time late tonight or early tomorrow morning.
Channel One News played a piece on my trip today. They have followed my trip from time to time over the year. They are the leading source of news and information for young people. The 12-minute news broadcasts are delivered daily to more than 6 million teens in middle schools and high schools across the country.
Here’s the link to the NEW story: http://www.channelone.com/onair/index.vm?releasePID=y6M6_w_CDAL2amelb2bHFTaW4AR_tQUe
And here’s the link to the main page they have: http://www.channelone.com/news/zac-sunderland
Note from Mom:
Since sending over the above blog, Zac has called to let me know that he has come within 30 miles of the entrance to Panama. The shipping has increased dramatically and as of a few minutes ago had 7 ships within 3 miles of Intrepid. He had just passed a ship within 50 yards which had him a bit shaken up. Too close for comfort. Some of the ships are not showing up on the AIS which gives him the ships position , heading and name. This makes navigating and communicating with a specific ship much easier. He is concerned about the reliability of his engine should he need it in an emergency.
Might be a good time for all of you who pray to send one up for our boy.
Cheers,
Marianne
posted by Zac at
8:11 PM
22 Comments:
Prayers sent from Seattle.
Wouldn't be much fun in the dark with so many ships converging on the canal. Looks like there are marinas near the entrance, and knowing Zac he's already studied the charts and knows exactly where he needs to go to find a marina to tie up the boat so he can get some sleep.
Does sound scary. I'd imagine that near the canal you'd have a whole lot of ships, all in their own holding patterns, as they await their turn to enter the ditch.
He'll sure want to have that engine at the ready, though, especially if the wind stays light.
This will be another story for him to tell his grandkids some day -- About the night he spent dodging ships in the dark off the Panama Canal.
He'll have a whole lot of stories like that from all around the world. His kids and their kids and all kids who ever hear his stories should turn into fans of all things geographic as they try to imagine all the places he's been.
--Grant Fjermedal, Seattle
So happy to hear that Zac is close to Panama. I do hope he arrives with good light as he approaches. I'm certain the traffic is tremendous and he's gonna have to "McGyver" Intrepid in, out, and around many, many ships.
I'm sending my prayers that Zac will not have to test his engine on his way in.
Am anxiously awaiting the next post from you Marianne!
praying for Zac, praying for his engine, praying for the crews of the ships around, praying for Marianne & the family...
My prayers are with you Zac. I have been watching your blog from day 1. Can we watch you go through the canal? I see there are live cams in the Miraflores & Gatun Locks. God bless you and your family.
Well this must be fate - but hopefully a GOOD omen...
I've woken unexpectedly early here in London (UK) at 6am: that's 10pm [8 hours] behind in Cali. time, so seemingly just a couple of hours since Marianne's post.
Fighting off the fog of sleep, I remembered Laurence mentioning (brief live chat on FaceBook just ahead of him heading down to Panama) that Zac was expected in Panama sometime Thursday afternoon [local time] - my brain made the timing connections and I ran to grab the laptop to see what was going on...
By my reckoning, then, Zac must be RIGHT in the thick of it now, moreso than ever - so now I'm wide awake, alert, crossing everything & have already offered up a[n ongoing] prayer.
Not knowing how the canal operates (similar to aircraft in circling in holding stacks until called onto final landing approach by air traffic control? i.e. you get given a slot and take it when you're told!), I'm monitoring the webcams as well as refreshing the blog frequently for any fresh news, sign of activity etc..
Everything else today is suddenly taking a back seat - it's currently just coming up 1am local time at Panama canal as I type this... holding my breath!
Oh my Zac,i sure hope you find a place to "park it" till daylight.
So looking forward riding along with you as you make your way through the canal..until then..keep it safe!! It won't be long now.
Laura BD
The prayer of agreement is powerful. Prayers from AZ and my sister in Barbados.
Oh Ship indeed!!!50 yards? Shiver me timbers!!!!
Hang in there Zac, keep vigilant.
We who have been taking this journey with you know that your engine is filled with the Mighty Power. Remember Phil 4:13
Soon it will be daylight and you can breathe easier.
Sending his angels to guide you and keep you safe.
Sherna
It's my guess:
Most vessels (cargo; cruise ships) passing through the canal have actually established 'appointments' with the Canal authorities. A small craft such as Intrepid is more likely to be accepted when high-tariff paying vessel traffic is lighter.
Also: I seriously doubt the Canal would allow Intrepid to pass at night time.
Will do Marianne!!!!!!
Zac I know you will but becareful!
I am SO excited for you, such a thrill "riding" along with you! I really need to think of what I'm going to do with myself once your're safely at home.....hummmmm maybe I'll go sailing.
We'd love for you to come out to the beautiful Finger Lakes area of NYS and visit us at Seneca Yacht Club. We're not big and fancy but we've hosted some awesome races...last May it was the Western Hemisphere Star Class Chapionships, but more importantly we're all sailors that love the sport, and encourage young and old alike to join us!
Hugs
Anita
Waterloo, NY
Captain SV Wombat
Bin the barley juice, it's Cerveza Panama Time!
Still watching and waiting...
Webcam images much clearer now that daylight has dawned.
Zac should appear first at Gatun Lock, then Centennial Bridge and finally Miraflores Locks - the expansion program cam between the latter 2 seems to be looking "elsewhere"
Thanks for the link to another nice video clip.
I enclose a link to the Colon AIS. Maybe Intrepid will show up there soon
http://www.vesseltracker.com/en/Port/colon/Map.html
Hope everybody has a nice weekend
Axel
Don't worry Mrs. Sunderland,
Zac has my prayers too. Soon he'll be home!
A fellow homescooled friend :)
Praying.
Thank you for the update Zac and Mum.
UK friend
Hi Zac!
I've been following your blog for sometime, but this is my first time posting. I think this is an awesome thing you're doing and I'll be praying for you.
I found out about from The Rebelution blog and first thing I thought when I read about it was 'wow, that sure is a hard thing and a brave thing to do!' Then: whoa, is that even legal ^_^ haha! But anyways, I'll most definitely be praying for you!!
Emily
Zac just posted to FB that he is in at Panama!
Go Zac! Looking forward to hopefully being able to watch your passage through the canal - or at least part of it....
Cheers!
willy
milford, ohio
O God, our heavenly Father, whose glory fills the whole creation, and whose presence we find wherever we go: Preserve those who travel by sea, especially Zak ; surround him with your loving care; protect him from every danger; and bring him in safety to his journey's end; through Jesus Christ our Lord. =Amen.=
Praying for Zac here in Lomita and at the library in Palos Verdes.
So, now he is in Panama?..guess he will find a place for Intrepid, check his mail, etc. before waiting his turn at the locks.
My imagination cannot go there...I only see little Intrepid that brave lady amongst huge clumsy ships!...hopefully they will have a time when a lot of little guys can go in at the same time! Intrepid would fit right in... think so?
Ay, Zac...you're giving us another 'nail biter' and 'breath holder'...God Bless you!
Betty E., Lomita, CA
Betty E., Lomita, CA
LOL @ Rory!
Thanks for the update.
Marianne,
We'll be praying for his safe arrival as always. He's doing a phenomenal job.
Zac,
Stay safe and Godspeed!
Dick & Gin
Upland
Will be praying for Zac, Mrs. Sunderland. God bless you all!
Keep it up Zac. I've watched you go all the way around the world, and you're almost home.
I can only imagine what it is like to hear a vessel coming towards my own in the dark. That doesn't sound like an experience I would want, but I am glad that you fared well in the encounter.
You have done some inspiring things, and hope you never change your ways in life. Chase your dreams, and follow your heart. It seems to me that it is taking you along the right path, and you will encourage lots of people to do some great things if you stay true to yourself.
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