Captain's Blog 1/17/12

DATE 1/17 TUE
TIME 0730 LT, 1230 GMT ARRIVAL
LAT 9-35N
LON 79-55W
C 180
S 12K
RPM 55
DEPTH 260 METERS
WIND NE FORCE 5
SKY 4/8
PRES 1015
AIR 78/74
SEA 80
12 NM DUE NORTH OF CANAL ENTRANCE

FWE 0942 LT, 1442 GMT
AT ANCHOR INSIDE THE BREAKWATER AWAITING ARRIVAL OF CANAL OFFICIALS

We were notified last night of a ship in distress - right on our track to Panama. But as we moved forward it went away.'Rescue cancelled' was all we received. Then at 0500 the approach to Panama began. As you know, were rolling all day yesterday and it persisted right up to the breakwaters of Cristobal.

Ships coming into the Panama Canal never arrive from sea and head straight through to transit. Some we must anchor outside, and then are told to move into the inner anchorage, which is more work, especially since there were over 30 ships at anchor outside - just finding a spot can be problem - let along maneuvering to it. But when we called Cristobal Signal Station we were directed to proceed into the inner anchorage - to Anchorage B - way in on the west side.

So we entered the breakwater at 0842 with a westerly set (steering course 165 to make good 180), then once inside, turned sharply to the right. Our spot was right between a heavy lift ship and a tanker. So we were forced to point straight in, get to our spot and drop the hook. We then backed down and filled to bring Kennedy broadside to the wind and then nature took its course.

At 0942 we were FWE (Finished with Engines) in the exact spot assigned - a tribute to the smoothly operating bridge team headed up by the Second Mate. So, now we sit and await the ACP (Authoridad del Canal de Panama) authorities to do the ship check and a sanitation inspection. We are told by our agent that the transit is scheduled for tomorrow morning, which will be good. So, more later as the process continues...