Amidst some controversy, the Panama Ports Company carried out a “midnight massacre” maneuver to take over the historical Panama Canal Yacht Club in the town of Colon, Panama, recently. Arriving in the middle of the night and demolishing the club during the course of a holiday weekend, workers were reported to have leveled the historical facility. According to a report by Don Winner for Panama-Guide.com, boaters moored at the yacht club reported having just paid their monthly slip fees and are now without electricity or water. They will be required to remove their vessels by April 1st.
Apparently the marina had fallen on hard times. One cruiser who visited there a few years ago reportedly was offered cocaine four times in one hour and a pair of Colombian prostitutes to go along with it.The club and docks are purported to have been constructed by workers on the Panama Canal in the early 1900s. Throughout the ‘70s and ‘80s, cruisers reported stopping at the conveniently located port to rest, refuel and visit the bar.
Several boat owners will be moving to Shelter Bay Marina across Limon Bay from Colon. While more expensive, Shelter Bay’s facilities are much more extensive and there is better security. Situated next to historical San Lorenzo National Park and. the Panamanian Coast Guard Station, they are 30 minutes by road to the nearest shopping center in Colon. Their two main concrete floating docks have a capacity of 80 boats ranging from 35 feet to 70 feet. Yachts up to 125 feet can be berthed on the T-head end ties, or yachts up to 225 feet and a 12 foot draft can be side-tied to ther floating dock designed for mega yachts. All slips are equipped with potable water and electrical power; 120, 240 and 480VAC power or 30, 50, 100 amp service. Along with a diesel fuel , the marina facilities include hot showers, bathrooms, a self-service laundry room, a multi-purpose room with internet access, a swimming pool. WiFi, 24 hour security and much more.
An interesting history of the canal may be found at www.czbrats.com. Further information about expansion plans can be seen at http://www.pancanal.com/eng/index.html. The Panama Canal Authority’s Web site hosts live cam shots of the canal in action at http://www.pancanal.com/eng/multimedia/index.html.
(Photos of Panama Canal at night courtesy of the Panama Canal Authority.)
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