Panama - Panama Canal - Turkish Coal Freighter - The Gaillard (Culebra) Cut

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As we cruise the Panama Canal from North to South (Caribbean to Pacific), we come to the narrowest part of the Canal. It is known as the Gaillard Cut or the Culebra Cut. Here was where the engineers had to dig the most dirt out of the "Big Ditch". Remember that there was not a river here prior to this century. This muddy "ditch" must be dredged constantly to keep it from filling in. Notice the markers on the left side of the second photo up on the bank. The pilots use these for navigation.