The Panamaw Canal

[XTR]

Originally Posted by Freesail99

I think everyone is missing something. Ships are "towed" by 4 small railroad engines that are mounted on tracks. Perhaps that is where the 8 knots comes from ?

You are only towed by the mules in the locks. Once you enter Gatun Lake you transit under your own power till you get to the locks on the other side.

[bobwebster]

The upped the minimum speed to 8 knots, but boats don't really have to go that fast. I think the common practice is to claim 8 knots even if you can't do it. Then, if you block traffic, you pay a fine.