Our route from Cartagena to Panama Canal
Good profile of how ships are moved from ocean to ocean
Pulling into the first of 3 Gatun locks. The 3 locks will raise us 85 feet to lake level.
This is called a "mule". It is an electric locomotive that is used to keep ships in the center of the locks. 100 years ago they cost $15,000. Price tag now is $2 million. For our size ship there will be 3 on each side of us. Ships use their own power to move forward through the locks.
Container ship entering lane beside us. There are two lanes in use 24 hours a day 365 days a year. A new bigger lane is being constructed now.
The lock gates each weigh 662 tons mounted on 17 ton hinges. They are perfectly balanced as it only takes two 25 horsepower hydraulic motors to open and close them. The gates are overhauled every couple of years.
Photo shows gate in stowed position in side of the lock.
We are being raised inside the lock as water from the lock above is allowed to enter our lock by gravity through 18 foot diameter tunnels in center portion of the canal locks. You can see water entering lock now which raises us like a cork.
After being raised in first of 3 locks.
