October 15th
Panama Canal Redo

Here goes. I will try to update from yesterday when we went through the Panama Canal.

Flags: red/ white on mast indicating pilot on board and on the right  Panamanian flag. The showing of the Panamanian flag is a custom that ships use to show respect.

Interesting picture of a docked boat with a helicopter on top of it.

Fire fighting tug boat. These tugs also have the capability of using foam to suppress a fire

More tugs 

Locks opening

We started in 68 feet of water and then went down to a little less than 42 feet of water. We then went on to the next part of the canal.

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This is a picture of both the existing canal and the one under construction on the left. It was supposed to be completed last year. The new completion date is April 2016. I would be surprised if it opens then. The locks doors will slide in and out perpendicular to the walls verses swinging out as they do now. The new canal will be able to handle the new mega ships.

More new canal under construction.

Ship getting ready to pass us going the opposite direction in the canal.

"Mule" used for keeping the ship in the center of the lock using thick cables. You can see the cables coming out of the side of the mule and going to our ship. There were three mules on each side of our ship. The only thing they do is keep the ship in the center. They do not pull the ship through the locks.

Container ship in lock next to us.

Panamanian fire dept company 49 (See the following pictures)

At the end of the first lock, the ship stopped. Rescue came on board then removed and transported three men and one woman. They were taken to local hospitals and their luggage went with them. I don't know what their problems were. 

Ambulances waiting to transport patients.

Barbara with Panamanian costumed woman.