Panama Canal Gatún Locks

Just at dawn, we pass under the Atlantic Bridge. Escorted by tugs as a safety measure, the Captain maneuvers us expertly into the narrow entrance to the first chamber. This series of three locks will raise our ship nearly 100 feet to Gatún Lake. With only 2.5 feet on each side and our relative height in constant flux, locomotive operators must carefully manage our position by controlling the length of lines. We say goodbye to the Caribbean Sea and prepare for our transit over ten hours where we will emerge into the Pacific Ocean.Read more