Interesting facts about the Panama Canal every sailor must know
One of the most prestigious and challenging boating spectacles, the Clipper Round the World Race marks its 12th year with another challenge to amateur and professional sailors willing to take the helm over its eight-stop course. On its last leg, sailors will be racing from the U.S. West Coast, down to South America, and conclude on the East Coast.
Bridging the leg is Panama, a world-renowned destination for sailors who want to sail east to west or vice versa through the Panama Canal. According to James Feldkamp, a security expert who will be participating in the race, the Panama Canal has been a key maritime figure. Here are some interesting facts about the Panama Canal that every sailor must know.
The original plan was to build the canal in Nicaragua
The United States originally wanted to build the canal bridging the Atlantic and the Pacific in Nicaragua. The plan was later on changed thanks to the effort of French engineer Philippe-Jean Banua-Varilla. According to James Feldkamp, Banua-Varilla convinced US lawmakers that the Nicaraguan path was riddled with volcanoes and was not a safe route.
14,000 ships use the canal each year
The sheer volume of ships utilizing the canal shows how important it is in the world of trade, as well as travel. Besides US ships, the origin of ships that often use this route includes South Korea, China, Chile, and Japan.
The cheapest toll collected was 36 cents
Boats and ships of different cargos and sizes are levied transit fees differently. However, the cheapest payment made was in 1928 when an American adventurer named Richard Halliburton swam on the canal.
James Feldkamp is a renowned trainer in the areas of global security on terrorism and counterterrorism. He is presently the Lead Consultant for Intelligence and Counterterrorism at Complete Threat Preparedness. He is also a sailing enthusiast, intending to join next year’s edition of the Clipper Round the World Race. Learn more about the race by visiting this website.
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Image source: economictimes.indiatimes.com
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The original plan was to build the canal in Nicaragua
The United States originally wanted to build the canal bridging the Atlantic and the Pacific in Nicaragua. The plan was later on changed thanks to the effort of French engineer Philippe-Jean Banua-Varilla. According to James Feldkamp, Banua-Varilla convinced US lawmakers that the Nicaraguan path was riddled with volcanoes and was not a safe route.
14,000 ships use the canal each year
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Image source: stadamsterdam.com
|
The cheapest toll collected was 36 cents
Boats and ships of different cargos and sizes are levied transit fees differently. However, the cheapest payment made was in 1928 when an American adventurer named Richard Halliburton swam on the canal.
James Feldkamp is a renowned trainer in the areas of global security on terrorism and counterterrorism. He is presently the Lead Consultant for Intelligence and Counterterrorism at Complete Threat Preparedness. He is also a sailing enthusiast, intending to join next year’s edition of the Clipper Round the World Race. Learn more about the race by visiting this website.
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