Ships wait their turn to enter the canal in the Gulf of Mexico
Freight yard near the start of the canal
Roberto Whitaker, our tour guide, explains early canal "mules".
Mules are used to guide the ships through the canal.
Canal mules, present and past.
The Electric Mule in the foreground costs more than 2 million dollars. They hold the lines of the large ships as they pass through the Locks.
Panama Canal visitors center at Gatun Locks
Mules tied to ship as it enters locks
The current locks are 33.5 metres (110 ft) wide and the ships fit within inches of the sides.
Mule guiding freighter through canal.
The locomotives "mules" are used to keep ships in the proper relation to the locks structures. They are essential for a safe transit of ships and run on tow tracks along the lock walls.
Ship enters first lock area at Gatun Locks, the locks closest to the Atlantic.
Ship in second lane of Gatun Locks
Gates of the locks...65 ft. wide by 7 ft. deep.
Gatun Locks, celebrated their 100 year anniversary in 2014!
Gatun Locks waiting for ship to enter. Ships take 8 to 10 hours to cross canal.
Freighter approaches tied to mules which cost 2.3 million dollars each!
Mules with cables tied to ship on both sides.
Close up view of ship tied to mule
Cargo cables strapped on ship
Panama canal employee talks about canal to guests in the rain.
Ship exiting one lock as it poured rain
Rainy day at the locks
Employees cross the canal through the locks bridge
Cables tied to back of ship to mule
View of the locks from above
Ships pass in the two lanes of the canal, going same direction.
Centennial bridge that crosses the canal, built in 2004
