1) ADMEASUREMENT AND CLEARANCES

Yachts and small vessels less than 125 feet in length arriving at the Pacific entrance or Cristobal entrance of the Panama Canal require certain clearances. If the vessel doesnt plan to transit the Canal, the crew will check in with the immigration authorities upon arrival ashore and receive proper clearances. If the vessel plans to transit the Canal, and has a local agent, they will be boarded shortly after arrival by the Panama Canal Authority Boarding Officers and cleared by quarantine so they can go ashore. The agent will make an appointment with the appropriate Admeasurement Office to have the vessel measured and required inspections completed prior to transit. The agent will guarantee the proper payments required for transit. If the vessel doesnt have an agent, the master should make an appointment with the proper Admeasurement Office through VHF channel 12 Flamenco Signal Station in Balboa or Cristobal Signal Station on the Atlantic side. Alternatively, once they have cleared ashore, they can called the Balboa Admeasurement Office at (507) 2724571, or the Cristobal Admeasurement Office at (507) 4432293 to make an appointment.

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