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Panama Canal Transit ProcedureAUTORIDAD DEL CANAL DE PANAMÁ Rev. 9-2003 PROCEDURES FOR SECURING A HANDLINE TRANSIT OF THE PANAMA CANAL 1. ADMEASUREMENT AND CLEARANCES (note admeasurement is now conducted at Shelter Bay) a. Boarding: All vessels desiring to transit the Panama Canal must be boarded and cleared by an Admeasurer. Vessels must be measured prior to their initial transit or their first transit after structural changes were made. b. Vessels without a local agent: Can call the Balboa Admeasurement Office at (507) 272- 4571, or the Cristobal Admeasurement Office at (507) 443-2293 to make an appointment to have their vessels inspected, measured and cleared by an Admeasurer. An Admeasurement Clearance form will be issued upon completion of inspection. There is no fee for the issuance of this form, which must be re-issued for each transit and is valid for one month (30 days). This form allows the skipper to go to the bank to pay for the transit. c. Vessels with a local agent: The agent will give an ETA. Vessel will be boarded, inspected, measured and cleared shortly after arrival by an Admeasurer. The Agent will guarantee the proper payments required for transit. d. Measurement and inspections: Depending upon the particular circumstances of the case, the Admeasurer will visit the vessel to perform any necessary paperwork, measurements and inspections. Such visits will be conducted only between the hours of 7:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. local time, and are subject to deferral due to anticipated workload changes. There is a fee for making admeasurement inspections after normal working hours as requested. The fee is $75.00 per hour with a 2-hour minimum. In most cases, the transit criteria will be established during this visit, and the owner/skipper will be appraised of the requirements for transit. e. Forms: __ Admeasurement Clearance and Handline Inspection form (No Agents). This form is required for payment of Canal tolls and fees. __ Handline Lockage Request. This form includes the type of lockage, a physical description of the vessel, and the equipment required aboard during the transit. The Canal Port Captain must approve it. __ Handline Undertaking to Release and Indemnify. It identifies several characteristics that are common to small vessels but that do not comply with Canal regulations. Transit may only be allowed if the skipper signs this form releasing the Panama Canal Authority from liability in case of any accident, damage or injury, caused by use of equipment aboard the vessel that does not meet Panama Canal requirements. 2. PAYMENTS OF TOLLS a. PC/UMS: Panama Canal tolls are assessed on the PC/UMS Net Tonnage, which is based on the internal volume of the vessel and also whether the vessels is laden or in ballast as determined by the Admeasurer, but the Panama Canal charges small craft by standard fees based on their length overall. b. Payment: Payment of tolls can be arranged through a local bonded agent, or can be paid directly at the Citibank in Balboa or Cristobal. Direct payments are accepted in U.S. dollars cash money only or “Visa” credit card. In order to pay tolls, directly, you must present the proper Admeasurement Clearance and Handline Inspection form. c. Fee: The total deposit fee includes the transit fixed fee and the buffer. The buffer is to be used in case additional charges are incurred during transit. This buffer is refunded if it is not used. The total deposit fee is based on length overall. Length Overall Transit Fixed Fee Buffer Total Deposit Fee Up to 50 $600.00* $850.00 $1450.00 50 < length <= 80 $850.00* $850.00 $1700.00 80 < length <= 100 $1100.00* $850.00 $1950.00 100 < length $1600.00* $850.00 $2450.00 *The Transit Fixed Fee includes the following: $50.00 TVI inspection plus $50.00 security charge d. Other related charges: Whenever owners or representatives of handline vessels that would normally transit with transit advisors request the assignment of a regular pilot instead, that assignment will be charged at the rate of $2,250.00, if sufficient notification has been provided, as specified on Tariff 1060.0040, or otherwise at the rate of $4,500.00, as specified on Tariff 1060.0045. Whenever handline vessels present some deficiency or condition that prevent the completion of their transit as scheduled, they will be assessed the tariff for transit delay of $440.00 and other related charges, such as launch and moorage. Whenever owners or representatives of handline vessels request to stop in the Canal interrupting their transit, they will be assessed the tariff for transit delay of $440 and other related charges, such as launch and moorage. However, if a transit is interrupted due to Canal scheduling considerations, these charges will not be applied. e. AIS System: Vessels over 20 meter (65 feet) in LOA must have the AIS system installed and operating, otherwise a rental fee of $150.00 will be assessed. f. Bank schedules: __Pacific side: On the Pacific side of the Isthmus, the Citibank is located in building 778 in Balboa. The telephone number is (507) 228-0165. Tolls may be paid between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. This office is closed for business on weekends and recognized holidays. __Pacific side: On the Pacific side of the Isthmus, the Citibank is located in building 778 in Balboa. The telephone number is (507) 228-0165. Tolls may be paid between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. This office is closed for business on weekends and recognized holidays. __Atlantic side: On the Atlantic side of the Isthmus, the Citibank is located next to the Cristobal piers entrance. The telephone number is (507) 441-6303 and (507) 441- 6144. Tolls may be paid between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. from Monday to Friday. This office is closed for business on weekends and recognized holidays. 3. TRANSIT Transit date and time can be obtained from the Marine Traffic Scheduler only after the vessel has been cleared, transit requested and tolls paid. The telephone number of the scheduler is (507) 272-4202 and should be contacted after 1800 hours the day of the inspection but prior to 30 days after the issuing date to the Handline Inspection form. 4. PROCEDURES FOR TRANSITING YACHTS a. Arrival: Upon arrival at the Balboa Anchorage or Cristobal Breakwater, the vessel must contact the appropriate Signal Station announcing its arrival and requesting anchoring instructions. The Signal Station will direct the vessel to the anchorage and give any operational restrictions that may be in effect. In no case shall handlines be allowed to pass beyond the Bridge of the Americas northbound, or beyond buoys 3 and 6, Limon Bay, southbound, without the services of a Canal Pilot or Transit Advisor. b. Transit Hours: Small vessels transiting as handlines will normally transit during daylight hours. Whenever handline vessels present some deficiency or condition that prevent the completion of their transit as scheduled, they will be assessed the tariff for transit delay of $440.00 and other related charges, such as launch and moorage. However, if a transit is interrupted due to Canal scheduling considerations, these charges will not be applied. c. Speed: The Panama Canal Authority shall deny transit if a handline vessel cannot maintain a speed of 5 knots. However, a vessel may be towed through the Canal by another handline vessel if it can tow her at 5 or more knots, or make arrangements to be towed, at their own expense, by a Panama Canal Authority launch. Sailboats cannot transit the Canal under sail. They must transit with motor propulsion. If the vessel is equipped with an outboard motor as its primary propulsion, it must have a means of reversing the engine. The operator must be able to control the outboard motor from the cockpit, or else, the vessel may need a Port Captain’s inspection. Make sure to tell the Canal Port Captain the correct top speed that your vessel can sustain. There can be hazardous currents associated with the transit, and it is important that your vessel be able to maintain a safe speed at all times. If, at the beginning of the transit, the craft cannot maintain a safe speed, as reported to the Canal Port Captain, the craft will be turned around and returned to the starting point. If this occurs, an aborted transit charge will be billed to the craft. Normally for sailboats or slow vessels, the transit will take two days. If the vessel must anchor for the night at Gamboa or Gatun Anchorage, no one other than Panama Canal Authority personnel are allowed to go ashore without the Port Captains’ permission and then only on ACP launches. No dinghies or rowboats are permitted. d. Transit Advisor: Small crafts less than 20 meters (65 feet) in length shall be assigned a Transit Advisor, who will function as an advisor to the skipper, he provides communications with the locks, transiting vessels and Authority Transit Controllers, knowledge of the Canal operating area, and procedures to follow. These vessels will be assigned a Panama Canal Pilot only under special circumstances. Small crafts of more than 20 meters (65 feet) in length require a pilot. e. Radio: You must stand by channel 12 VHF while in Canal waters.] 5. REQUIRED EQUIPMENT All handline vessels are required to be equipped with 4 ropes, of adequate strength for the size of the vessel to maintain it stable in the lock chamber under strong turbulence. These ropes must be a minimum of 125 feet (38 meters) long and have a loop tied on one end about 3 feet in diameter. The ropes must be free of knots or splices in order to pass freely through the chocks. The vessel must be equipped with adequate fenders, at least 4 to prevent damage from making contact with the chamber walls during lockages. Normally, ropes and tires for fenders can be rented from local yacht clubs, or shipping agents if needed. It is the vessel’s responsibility to have enough fenders on board and properly placed. All vessels must have an anchor capable of being retrieved without delay. The vessel must be equipped with a working whistle or horn. The vessel must have a toilet on board or they could experience delays while relieving the Pilot or Transit Advisor. The vessel must provide the Pilot or Transit Advisor with a meal and fresh drinking water, or there could be an additional charge to provide these items for them. An awning must be installed over the cockpit to provide the Transit Advisor and crew with shelter from the sun and rain. Vessel must maintain its schedule, regardless of weather conditions. 6. TRANSIT REQUIREMENTS After inspection, the Canal Port Captain or his designee, will determine whether your vessel transits the Canal as a "center chamber" or "sidewall" handline lockage. This determination is based on hull configuration, protruding railings, awnings, tall masts, spars or anything else, which could be damaged when made fast alongside chamber walls. On up lockages, heavy turbulence is encountered. Consequently, all lines should be inspected for condition and should be of sufficient size and strength to hold the vessel under heavy strain, size not less than 7/8” in diameter, nor larger than 1 ½” in diameter is mandatory. Line handlers must have enough strength and skill to control lines during times of turbulence. Regardless of the type of lockage planned, every vessel must be equipped for center chamber lockage, especially with regard to number of linehandlers and number of mooring lines. 7. PICKING UP MOORING LINES Following a ship into a chamber, the crew of the handline vessel passes the first bow and stern lines to linehandlers on the approach wall at position 1. At position 2, crew passes the second set of bow and stern lines to linehandlers on sidewall of chamber. At position 3 all lines are made fast on board and ashore for flooding operation. Sufficient experienced and capable crewmembers must be on board to provide four linehandlers and a competent operator at all times. Chocks and bitts or cleats shall be inspected to make sure all fittings are in good condition and fasteners well secured. They will be under heavy strain during the transit. The area around these fittings must be clear of gear so that the lines can be safely and efficiently handled. Remember it is your yacht. If it is damaged due to faulty or insufficient equipment or improper handling of boat or equipment by the crew, the loss of time and expense will be yours. You must have your vessel in top shape. 8. TYPES OF LOCKAGE There are three types of lockages available to yachts under 125' L.O.A. when transiting the Canal. They are: center chamber; sidewall, or alongside an ACP Tug. All vessels will be required to be capable of making a center chamber lockage. The other two options will be at the discretion of the Canal Port Captain. a. Center Chamber Lockage: The vessel is held in the center of the chamber by two bow and two stern lines. This type of lockage requires four 125-foot lines, recommended size not less than 7/8” in diameter, nor larger than 1 ½” in diameter. Locks personnel cannot handle lines any larger in diameter than this. b. Sidewall Lockage: This type of lockage uses two of the required 125-foot lines to hold the vessel alongside the sidewall in the chamber, recommended rope size of not less than 7/8” in diameter, nor larger than 1 ½” in diameter. The walls of the locks are rough unfinished concrete, which can cause considerable damage to vessels not properly protected by fenders; damage to masts or rigging on sailboats may also occur, if the turbulence causes the vessels to roll and strike the sidewall. Another option to center chamber or sidewall lockage is called nested. This is where one or several handline vessels tie up alongside each other. This type of lockage is used when several handlines are transiting at the same time. c. Alongside an ACP Tug: This type of lockage, when available, also uses two of the required 125-foot lines, recommended size of not less than 7/8” in diameter, nor larger than 1 ½” in diameter rope. Availability of this type of lockage depends on the ship traffic for the day, and as such cannot be scheduled. Flooding lock chamber (cross-section view): Four-foot diameter wells in the floor admit water from the main culverts into the chamber. Great pressure boils surface, but fills huge chamber in less than 15 minutes. Your cooperation with Canal officials will not only save time and expense, but will result in a much smoother transit for all concerned. |
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