[spn]

To dashiell and others on this thread:

According to the Boyd's schedule: http://www.boydsteamship.com/daily_traffic_report.htm the Turnadot is scheduled to transit the PanCanal on the 24th, but I have found this schedule not to be entirely reliable. One of the ships I tracked the other day was suppose to sit in the port of Manzanillo for two days, but she surprised us and transited the canal a day early. Turnadot could do the same.

The ships I have tracked through the PanCanal most recently have all started their transit at 6:00 am (MST), just as I was getting up for the day. The first set of locks is Gatun locks (web camera 1), then they pass under the Centennial Bridge (web camera 2), and the Mira Flores locks (web camera 3). Mira Flores is right around the corner from the Centennial Bridge. The ships finish their passage through the final Mira Flores locks around 4:00 p.m. (MST), if they departed at 6:00 am. I have to tell you, though, that I have tracked ships that have started their passage later in the morning than 6 am, so it is only a guess that Turnadot will depart at 6:00 am, too. Since tomorrow is the weekend, I won't be getting up at 6:00 am, as usual, so I won't be available to take and post screen shots (as I have done with other ships this week), if she transits the first locks at that time of day.

You can watch Turnadot's passage through Gatun Locks, under Centennial Bridge and through Mira Flores locks on three web cameras. Here's the web site http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.html

Since these car-carrying ships are so large and take every inch of space in the locks, they like to take these super vessels through during daylight hours. Since it takes all day to get through the canal, they start their passage early in the morning. Two or three PanCanal pilots will board Turnadot before she starts her passage in the morning. One pilot is up in the bridge and one or two pilots hang over the sides of the ship to watch her passage through the locks, so neither the ships or locks are damaged while in the locks. These PanCanal pilots will take her through all 50 miles of the Panama Canal. This graphic shows the 50 mile passage and the points of interest along the way.

So, it is my guess that she will start her passage either early Saturday or Sunday morning. I really think she's going to transit Saturday morning, though. Right now she's parked in the outer bay awaiting her turn in the canal. (She's no longer at the port of Manzanillo-I will post an updated AIS radar page in a minute).

[rnickum]

The Turandot pulled out of port and is back outside the breaks in formation with all the other waiting ships.

[rnickum]

Originally Posted by rnickum

The Turandot pulled out of port and is back outside the breaks in formation with all the other waiting ships.

Here is the current ais view

[spn]

Originally Posted by rnickum

Here is the current ais view

rnickum-you beat me to it. The green arrow means she is traveling greater than .5 knots. A yellow arrow means she is either parked or traveling less than .5 knots. A red arrow means her engines are off. I just checked AIS and Turnadot's arrow is now yellow. I think she is parked for the night and will transit in the morning. We'll see. . .

[spn]

You can keep an eye on Boyd's schedule. They may update it to reflect her passage tomorrow.

http://www.boydsteamship.com/daily_traffic_report.htm

[dashiell]

Thanks spn.

[spn]

Just an updated AIS radar screenshot tonight. She's still sitting in the Cristobal Anchorage.

[dashiell]

The funny thing is, if you go to the WW shipping website, it says the Turandot arrived Manzanillo, Panama 2/22 and departed Manzanillo, Panama 2/22???

[dashiell]

Nevermind, I figured out that Manzanillo is on the Atlantic side.

[spn]

Originally Posted by dashiell

Nevermind, I figured out that Manzanillo is on the Atlantic side.

Yes, you got it. It's in that entry bay to the PanCanal. Ships dock there and then pull out into that outer bay and wait their turn to transit the canal.

Turandot is still sitting in the outer bay this morning. Maybe she will still transit today, though. I have seen ships start their passage as late as mid-morning.

[spn]

Here's the latest AIS screen shot. I can't imagine her sitting there another day. That would be such a waste of time and money.

[spn]

Turandot's arrow is now green on the map. I think she might be on the move.

[spn]

Here's her photo.

Here are the web cams: http://www.pancanal.com/eng/photo/camera-java.html

[spn]

Her photo

[spn]

Now her arrow is yellow again. I don't know what she's doing.

[spn]

Her AIS radar arrow is still yellow.

[spn]

Boyd's now shows she's "booked" for tomorrow's passage, Feb 24.

http://www.boydsteamship.com/daily_traffic_report.htm

[dashiell]

Thanks for the updates, I guess we'll wait till tomorrow.

[spn]

Originally Posted by dashiell

Thanks for the updates, I guess we'll wait till tomorrow.

I think so. Her AIS arrow is still yellow. She's not going anywhere today.

[dashiell]

Alright spn, nothing happening yet, I'm going to bed. Hopefully by the time I get up there will be great shots of the Turandot going through the locks.

[spn]

This looks like her in Gatun Locks.

[spn]

Here are more photos.