Panama Day 2.2

I had planned something different, and this foto is certainly NOT great, but . . . what it shows is River Wisdom  Qingdao, China-bound and Duncan Island Red Hook, Brooklyn, USA-bound.  They’re passing each other at sea level Pacific side just “south” of the Miraflores locks.

Here was River Wisdom about a half hour earlier.  Any idea what she paid for the transit?  Warning . . . I don’t know the answer, but I can come close.   Number of vessel transits annually?  Answer follows.

Any idea when Duncan Island will arrive at the dock in Red Hook?  Again, I don’t have the answer, but bear with me.

Farfan is the assist tug for River Wisdom  . . . as I write this.

I’ve forgotten the name of this yacht, but with that tall a mast and that many spreaders, it could be the

same one I’ve seen in New York and Newport . . . like here.  (Note:  The yacht is Tiara.  It rents for a mere $200k/week.)

Some answers or attempted ones:  PTCC Tortugas paid over $200,000 to transit the Canal.  In cash.  At least 48 hours in advance.  The alternative is 8000 miles around Cape horn and about two additional weeks .  .  .  .    Richard Halliburton swam the Canal in August 1928.  Took him 10 days.  Cost him 36 cents!

14,000 vessels transit the Canal annually.  52,000,000 gallons of fresh water per vessel do the work.  Good thing the rainy season is generous to the watershed.

For River Wisdom, New York PLUS 7 days put her here.  Balboa PLUS 30 days will put her in Qingdao.

Might Duncan Island arrive with her bananas and other tropical fruit at the dock in Red Hook around March 22?  (Just looked it up . . . they could be there already the 18th!!!.)

All fotos by Will Van Dorp, in the past two hours.

Week’s Ship Sampler 2

First, a request OR call it a contest to all shipwatchers of the sixth boro or any who journey there on or about end August/begin September:  a material prize for the best shot of 15-masted power vessel Flinterduin entering or traversing the sixth boro with its cargo of 20 traditional sailing vessels.  Material . .  to be negotiated.  I’d camp out on the Narrows myself, but my job might conspire to compel me elsewhere.

Sometimes the name alone enhances a drab foto, but morning sunlight came to my rescue  here and name plus image (IMHO) make this just a magical foto.  Click on foto of River Wisdom, built 15 years ago, to enlarge.

Jo Selje squeezes into a spot less than 100 feet forward of the Lafarge barge Alexandra.  Assisting from Jo Selje‘s starboard is Turecamo Girls.  Assisting to Alexandra‘s starboard is Fred K, ex-Stapleton Service.   I count at least 10 crew visible aboard Jo Selje.

In Alexandra‘s notch, as usual, is Doris Moran.

Slightly earlier Tuesday morning, Kimberly Moran assisted Sanko Venture into a berth, and

Gramma Lee T. Moran escorts Felicity out to sea.

At dusk Spar Virgo heads for sea.  See it happen for the first time ever here, and

Balsa 61 heads upriver.

Here Stadt Berlin heads from Red Hook for sea.  Click here for a foto of Stadt Berlin with an interesting deckload.

That’s it for now.  All fotos taken in the past week or 10 days by Will Van Dorp.

Remember:  contest for the best foto of Flinterduin entering boro6.  Tell you equally vigilant friends;  get your best camera ready.