I'm using Peter Stevens, Delfino Maritime Services. I used him five years ago when I came to the Caribbean from Seattle and was very satisfied with every aspect of his service. I've read that several agents no longer take yachts under 65 feet due to a change in the regulations, but he promptly answered my query. Whether it was because he still takes smaller yachts or because he "grandfathered" me I'm not sure. There is no shopping on the Shelter bay side of the canal. Normally the marina runs a high speed passenger boat back and forth between the marina and the PCYC several times a day, but the boat's engine is on the fritz. So instead they are running their 14 passenger van back and forth to Colon once a day. The van spends two or three hours in Colon dropping and picking up people, and when it is ready to return you can either get on or take a taxi back later. Getting across the canal at the Caribbean end involves waiting at the Gatun Locks for a break in ship traffic. Then swing bridges are put in place just below the bottom lock (i.e., at the level of the Caribbean Sea) and one way traffic flows consecutively in each direction. The bridges will stay in place until the next time a ship needs to enter or leave the lock. Today the three of us went to a shopping mall just outside of downtown Colon with a very large El Rey supermercado, a hardware store, several clothing stores, a small department store and a small restaurant. We managed to get everything on our shopping list except some small button batteries for the remote control for my Glendenning shore power cord handler. If you are ever at Shelter Bay and want to take a dingy across to the yacht club, DON'T call Cristobal Control for permission. They will deny it. (Don't ask me how I know this.) Better to just go. This is one of those cases where forgiveness is much easier to obtain than permission. As far as marina amenities, they have wireless internet access on the docks, a lounge with cable TV, shower/baths with Jacuzzi tubs, and excellent water and power, especially compared with PCYC. A restaurant/bar is in the works, as well as a swimming pool, more docks and a large dry storage area. Hal aboard Que Linda, Shelter Bay Marina, Panama _____ From: Georgs Kolesnikovs [mailto:georgs@trawlersandtrawlering.com] Sent: Tuesday, April 18, 2006 1:21 PM To: Hal Wyman Subject: Question for Que Linda Hey there Georgs - can you ask Que Linda for some Canal specifics: - Who are they using for an Agent (Peter Stevens?) - Nearby amenities at Shelter Bay Marina. The Colon side is not known for safety (provisioning, etc). Thanks - Peter