Our new advisor, Daniel, joined Hazel today, and what an addition he is. With twelve years of experience advising for the Panama Canal, he brings a depth of knowledge shaped by a workforce of more than 9,000 people who keep this engineering marvel running. He’s also a computer technician for the canal, a reminder that Daniel wears many hats and has worked his way up through a long list of roles. Meanwhile, this captain stayed laser‑focused on keeping Hazel well clear of the g

It’s Tuesday morning and we are scheduled to begin our transit from Shelter Bay Marina through the Panama Canal at 17:00. In the photos you will see that Hazel has a crew of seven to take on this undertaking: three line handlers, one advisor, Adriana, Peter, and me. Most of you know Hazel’s size. She is forty feet long with two places to sleep. Where will everyone sleep? The line handlers and the advisor expect to be fed two meals a day with drinks and snacks. All of them wil

It is our final day of preparation before Hazel begins her long awaited transit through the Panama Canal. As you will see in the photos, we have welcomed a new crew member, Adriana Darula, Peter’s wife. What a joy she has been aboard Hazel. Her fluent Spanish has already proven invaluable, and her connection to the Canal runs deep. Her uncle served as a Panama Canal pilot for 30 years. For vessels over 65 feet, the law requires captains to hand the helm over to a Panamanian p