• The limiting factor for the size of ships physically able to transit the Panama Canal is governed by the size of the lock chambers of which there are three on each side of the Gatun Lake. These concrete boxes are 1,000 feet long and 110 feet wide. The maximum safe draft within the lock chamber is 39 feet 6 inches tropical fresh water.

• The maximum allowable length permitted to transit for passenger and container vessels is 965 feet.
  
  
• Maximum allowable length for all other vessels is 950 feet, and the maximum beam allowed to transit is 106 feet.
  
  
• The maximum draft of 39 feet 6 inches, is usually applicable year-round. However, every eight to twelve years, Panama experiences a dry tropical fresh water spell, which lowers the lake level causing the allowable draft to be reduced.
  
  
• Air draft is 195 feet at any tide, however, this can be increased with special permission from the Panama Canal authorities to 205 feet at mean low tide only.
  
  
• Lights have been installed at the locks and in the Culebra Cut to allow nighttime transits, enabling the Canal to operate 24 hours a day.
  
  
• The average time required for a vessel to transit the Panama Canal is 8-10 hours. On the other hand, vessels must sometimes await their turn. To avoid long waiting periods during lock overhauls or extremely heavy traffic, a reservation system has been put into effect so that a vessel with a high daily expense can reserve a slot, at an additional cost, and be assured of transit on the day it arrives.
  
  
• Every ship that transit the Panama Canal must have a Panama Canal pilot on board. the pilots is in command of the vessel and is responsible for any mishaps which occur. This differentiates the Panama Canal from other waterways where the pilot is on board in an advisory capacity only.
  
  
• There are tentative plans to build a third set of locks in the near future.

<< UP