After a bit of down time yesterday, the crew is back at it prepping “Warbird” for the next leg of our journey. In addition to the normal trip prep, we have a few additional items due to the sensitive nature of Galapagos cruising.

We are required to get a fumigation report from our last port of call stating we are free on any incest or critters that we might bring into the Country.

We have to have a scuba diver inspect of the bottom of the boat with video showing we are not bringing any barnacle growth on the hull into the Galapagos.

There is an extensive list of food items that we are not allowed to bring into the country as well. We have to go through our stores to ensure none of these restricted items are aboard. When we arrive in the Galapagos all off these items will be inspected.

Fumigation Report

Crew went out for a night on the town…

Taylor and Ricardo enjoying a well deserved evening out!

By Captain John

It doesn’t matter how new or impressive of a boat you’re on, a boat is a boat! This means constant maintenance and fixing of small glitches. Yesterday evening I decided I would relax with a glass of wine and review the next leg of the trip in the Pilot House. To my surprise I was greeted by a small drop of water from the overhead onto my head!!! After an hour of searching and inspection, I found a small leak under an antenna mount on the top of the wheelhouse. My years of boating have taught me that water will find a way to go where it wants to. Luckily, this was a small issue that was able to be repaired with a bit of 5200. (This is the most extreme of marine sealants!) Captain Bob snapped a pic of me finishing the repair before the sun went down.

Evening Repair!

After the transit of the Panama Canal, “Warbird” pulled into Flamenco Marina on the south side of Panama City. Despite the lack of shore power at the dock and extreme surge in the Marina, the crew was happy to take time and regroup. The next step is to prepare for the next leg of the trip to the Galapagos Islands. This leg is 864 nautical miles of open Pacific Ocean. We have placed over 200 hours on the main engines, generators, and equipment since departing Fort Lauderdale. We now need to take time to inspect all systems, complete oil changes, and get the boat ready for the next leg.

Sunrise at Flamenco Marina.

Panama City Skyline

Crew night out!

Here is the pilot departing “Warbird” after our canal transit. “Warbird”maintains speed while the pilot boat comes alongside.

Panama Canal pilot departing Warbird!

Heading out of 2nd set of locks!

One of our goals was to try and document the canal transit from all angles. In preparation, we were trying to position and mount our 360 cameras. After serious deliberation and planning between four of us, we found a very sophisticated mounting arrangement for the bow camera.

By Captain John

Gatun Locks Cleared!

We cleared the first set of canal locks, but not without a little unexpended excitement. When “Warbird” was being raised the first lock chamber, one of the four lines that hold us in the center of the chamber snapped. This caused the stern to fall rapidly to starboard and come close to the lock wall. Like the seasoned veteran he is, Captain Bob was able to remedy the situation and get a new line over. These lines were “rented” to us specifically for the transit. I guest they didn’t take into account that a 92ft boat can weight 240 tons! We were able to get through the next two chambers without incident and will have new larger lines meeting us at the next lock. I am very proud of the way the crew handled this emergency situation in such a calm manner. Well Done!

Turbulence in lock one!

Mules used to pull large ships.

Warbird locking up with a tanker!