Sorry, We're Full

[BillB48]

Thought this was an interesting screen shot of Pedro Miguel Locks this morning.  The ships are being held because of fog in Gaillard Cut.  Fog frequently disrupts traffic in the Cut during the overnight hours this time of year.  While the fog is off the water at the Locks in this picture, in the Cut it can be a pea-souper all the way down to the water.  Normally the fog will burn off a couple of hours after sunrise.

 

[rkacruiser]

7 hours ago, BillB48 said:

The ships are being held because of fog in Gaillard Cut.  Fog frequently disrupts traffic in the Cut during the overnight hours this time of year. 

 

Gridlock in the Panama Canal!  Thanks for your post and photo.  I did not know that fog could be an issue at the Canal.  

[Essiesmom]

Oh yes, I’ve had early mornings. He king the cams and had the entire pic disappear into fog.  EM

[Essiesmom]

By the time I got to the cams after seeing this, Pedro Miguel was clearing out, but there was still a backup at Miraflores.  I have never seen then allow ships this close in the locks.

 

 

EM

[BillB48]

The fog was always a little tricky, it would often come in as a high fog (just not down on the water) and as long as they could see the lower range lights they would take a deep breath and let the ships pass.  The pilots on the other hand are ready to "park it" at the first hint of fog, as it can close in a nano second.  Today was really a banner day for holding up ships for fog, normally there can be four or five held at Pedro Miguel.  However today there were 7 at Pedro Miguel and another 5 were either tied up or slow walked at Miraflores.

 

There is a risk of fog anytime during the Rainy Season (May-December), but Aug, Sept, Oct are the months most prone for fog. 

[BillB48]

Deja vu all over again!  7 ships at Pedro Miguel.

 

Edited August 28, 2022 by BillB48

[MyTMo777]

@BillB48Do you live in Panama near the locks?

[BillB48]

Not now, but I did live there and work at the locks for a long time.  I keep a check on the place via their web cams🙂.

[BillB48]

Another foggy start to the day...

 

This was the view around 7:30AM

 

The view at 8:50AM, but still fog in the Cut...

 

 

Edited October 11, 2022 by BillB48

[BillB48]

Supposed to be included in the post above...

 

Edited October 11, 2022 by BillB48

[Essiesmom]

Another full day at Pedro Miguel.  Fortunately, things started moving at 0800:

 

 

 

 

 

 

[BillB48]

That is a great example of fog in the Cut and no more room at the inn!  The most notable thing is, at this time of year that sight is not a very common occurrence.  Heavy overnight fog in the Cut is common during the middle of the Rainy Season, however the Canal is about 2 weeks into the Dry Season.

[Essiesmom]

Another one of those days in the cut:

 

 

[BillB48]

Canal just seems like it can't catch a break.  Rainy Season brings fog season, the fog is there but the rains have been scarce.

[Essiesmom]

Rinse, repeat…

 

 

[Essiesmom]

Another one of those days…

[BillB48]

That looks like a pretty good pea souper.  Guess they can't catch a break... fog has always been the down side of the Rainy Season, they are getting the fog, just not enough rain to go with it!

Edited November 7, 2023 by BillB48