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A ver si esto aclara algo es una regulacion de noviembre de 2008, algun experto traductor, podria aclarar algo
a. The Regulation on Navigation in Panama Canal Waters, Chapter IV, General and
Specific Provisions Regarding Vessels, Section Seventeen, Article 81, establishes the
legal framework that regulates the navigation of small craft that do not transit and
empowers the Panama Canal Authority, through the Operations Department, to dictate
the requirements to enforce this regulation.
b. Rule 36, Article 108, Chapter VIII of the Annex of this same Regulation on
Navigation, establishes the norms related to small craft that are not transiting.
c. Through this Notice to Shipping, the Panama Canal Authority establishes the
requirements and norms that must be followed in order to operate small craft of less than
20 meters (65 feet) in length for commercial or non-commercial activities in Panama
Canal waters. This will help to improve the navigation in Canal waters, reduce the risk of
accidents, and contribute to the safe navigation of others vessels transiting the Canal.
The areas to be dedicated to these commercial and non-commercial activities are
described in this document.
3. Reminder on applicable rules and regulations in Canal
waters
a. Recent complaints have been raised regarding small craft entering and
navigating in Panama Canal waters, in such a manner that shows total disregard for the
safety of other vessels, as well as their own.
The Canal reminds all operators and owners of small craft, marinas and yacht
clubs of the rules and regulations applicable to small craft each and every time they
enter and navigate within Panama Canal waters. It has been reported that these small
craft are either not equipped with VHF radios or are failing to monitor Channel 12 and
16, as required, and possibly disregarding instructions given by ACP’s Port Entry
Coordinators at the Signal Stations.
The Maritime Regulations for the Operation of the Panama Canal, specifically
Chapter 10, Maritime Safety Offenses, Section 2, Article 149, paragraph 5, identifies as
an offense, “Failure to comply with the regulations, orders, or instructions issued by the
Authority in relation to maritime operations in Canal areas.” Also, paragraph 8 of the
same regulation identifies as an offense, “Failure to comply with Authority rules or
instructions on the transit of and provisions on small crafts, including vessels for
recreational or other purposes, and on the use of any devices, equipment, or gear which
may imply a risk to navigation in Canal waters.”
Be advised that these offenses are subject to possible sanctions. Article 150 of
the same regulation states: “When the administrative offense may be considered a
criminal offense, the case shall be referred to the competent authorities,” and Article
151 states: “The following sanctions shall be imposed for offenses, according to their
seriousness:
(1) Non-serious offenses: fines of one hundred Balboas, to ten thousand
Balboas (B/.100.00 to B/.10,000.00).
(2) Serious offenses: fines of ten thousand and one Balboas to one hundred
thousand Balboas (B/.10,001.00 to B/.100,000.00).
(3) Very serious offenses: fines of one hundred thousand and one Balboas to
one million Balboas (B/.100,001.00 to B/.1,000,000.00).”
b. Panama Canal regulations also indicate that: “small craft shall not be operated in
the proximity of or cross in front of transiting vessels. Additionally, small craft shall not
navigate at a speed or produce a wake that would endanger their safety, as well as the
safety, lives and property of others in the area, including the Panama Canal Authority.
Failure to adhere to this or any other regulation will be punishable with the immediate
revocation of the license issued to the operator and/or the operation permit and the
applicable sanctions will be imposed.”
Therefore, it is imperative for yacht clubs and marinas to notify their members, as
well as for yacht owners and operators, to be aware of these rules and regulations, and
the implications for lack of compliance.
Additionally, the navigational and adjacent waters of the Panama Canal were
designed and delineated in order to guarantee the safe transit of vessels through the
waterway. The efficiency of transit operations requires transiting vessels, as well as
Panama Canal Authority floating equipment, to comply with strict schedules and to
navigate under coordination with ACP Transit Control. These vessels may create
swells or wakes that may directly or indirectly affect small craft or physical installations
located on the shores of the Canal.
The concessionaire that chooses to operate in these waters or have installations
on these shores must be aware and anticipate these risks. Additionally, they must be
aware that Canal operations shall not be affected in order to accommodate other
activities not directly related to the transiting of vessels.
Installations located within Canal waters or on Canal shores, including
recreational activities (marinas, clubs and ramps), of commercial type or public interest,
must not, in any way, interfere with Canal operations. Therefore, all owners and
operators of installations located within Canal waters or on Canal shores must
incorporate into their structural designs the proper protection against the effects of
swells or wakes that may be created by transiting vessels or ACP floating equipment.
By reason of the type of operations performed by the Panama Canal Authority in Canal
waters, the ACP will not assume any responsibility for damages to these installations or
properties of third parties.
Anyone operating any vessel in Canal waters, particularly small craft without
ACP pilots, is hereby reminded of their obligation to comply with ACP maritime
regulations, as well as with Advisories and Notices to Shipping. Failure to comply will
result in sanctions that may include a prohibition for the craft to operate in Canal waters.
ORIGINAL SIGNED
Manuel E. Benítez
Executive Vice President of Operations
mas informacion en
http://www.pancanal.com/esp/maritime/notices/index.html
manolo g.
...........en un mar de olivos