In addition: Tandems will fly "X;" Preference Ships will fly "Z" (blue light at night); Hazardous cargo will fly "B" (red light at night). (c) The second ship of a tandem will be dispatched about 10 minutes behind the first. (d) No ship which requires boarding shall be brought in from the examination anchorage prior to being boarded except when specifically authorized by Port Captain's Office. (e) Traffic conditions require a southbound ship to arrive at Gamboa at a definite hour. Balboa Dispatcher will so direct the vessel concerned prior to departure from Gatun. (f) Ships maneuvering in Canal waters with pilot on board will fly "H." 10. Two Ships on Same Schedule: If two ships are put on the same schedule, the rear one is called "extra" and her schedule number is designated by the proper flag as given above with flag X under it. The ship then proceeds 10 minutes behind the other. 11. Ships to Display Schedule Number: Each ship shall display throughout her transit, the flag or flags designating the schedule number on which it is running. This flag will be the vessel's designating letter while in transit and may be used by the signal stations for this purpose in directing a signal to a particular ship when necessary. 12. Changing Schedule: Vessels may be shifted from one schedule to another at any time during transit. 13. Arrow Signals-Locks: Not ready; lockage cannot take place for some time. Not ready; stand off well clear of lock, prepared to approach on signal. Locks making preparation, probably be ready in 10 minutes or less; you may approach with caution, prepared to tie up or enter on right-hand side on signal. 13. Arrow Signals-Locks-Continued: Locks making preparation, probably be ready in 10 minutes or less; you may approach with caution, prepared to tie up or enter on left-hand side on signal. Moor to approach wall near chain on righthand side. Moor to approach wall near chain on lefthand side. Enter right-hand side. Enter left-hand side. 3. SERVICES AND SUPPLIES 14. Utilities: Bunkers (coal, oil, Diesel oil, gasoline), lubricants, ships' chandlery, fresh water suitable for drinking and boiler use, engineering supplies, every kind of fresh and dry provisions, meats, cold storage and dairy products, ice, ice cream and fresh bakery products, can be obtained in any quantity necessary for ships' use. Orders sent in advance by radio, cable, or mail, can be delivered on arrival, and orders filed on arrival will be delivered promptly, but in case of ships transiting immediately, deliveries are made at the port of departure. Docking is required only for bunkering. 15. Fresh Water in Gatun Lake: Water in Gatun Lake between Gatun and Darien is suitable for boiler use and can be taken in by vessels during transit, with the knowledge of the pilot, provided the trim of the ship is not altered materially thereby or the ship delayed. None of the water in Gatun Lake or in any other part of the Canal should be taken for drinking purposes, owing to the liability of its contamination by sewage from ships and from settlements within the watershed. 16. Laundry: A steam laundry, available to ships and capable of doing any kind of laundry work, is operated by the Canal. Laundry work sent ashore from transiting ships in the early morning at entrance terminal will be done and delivered at the departure terminal, without delaying the ship. 17. Tugs, etc.: Tugs, for outside or Canal work, lighters and launches can be obtained on application. 18. Dry Docking and Repairs: Dry docking and any kind of repairs or alterations for ships, and their equipment (including radio), of any size and description are available. Requests for such work can be made at any hour through the Port Captain, or to the Mechanical Division direct. Any information desired on the subject can be obtained in the same way. Work and information pertaining thereto should be requested as far in advance as possible. 19. Duty on Repairs: The duty on repairs done to American ships in foreign ports is not applicable to such work done in the Canal Zone. 20. Character of Work: Repair and dry docking plants are in the hands of experts, and work is done thoroughly and expeditiously at moderate cost. In dry docking, breakdowns are given preference over routine work and mail steamers over cargo vessels. 21. Charges for Dry Docking: Charges for dry docking commercial vessels are based on gross tonnage for steam and motor vessels, and net tonnage for sailing vessels, Panama Canal measurement; for menof-war charges are based on displacement. 22. Rules for Vessels in Dry Dock: Masters and officers of ships going into dry dock must familiarize themselves with the "Rules for Docking Vessels in Dry Docks Belonging to The Panama Canal." These are furnished in pamphlet form. 23. Docking for Repairs: In general, ships under repair are required to dock at the repair wharves, but no wharfage is charged during actual repair work. Minor repairs can be effected at commercial piers or at anchor. 24. Floating Cranes: Floating cranes up to a capacity of 250 tons are available. 25. Wrecking and Salvage: A wrecking and salvage outfit, ready for immediate service, is maintained for use at any point within a reasonable distance of the Canal, but will be used only in Canal Zone waters except in cases where great emergency exists, such emergency to be determined by the Marine Superintendent. 26. Hospital Service: The best of hospital service, medical and surgical, public and private, is available to ships, and the only formality necessary to obtain hospital treatment is, in the case of American seamen, a master's certificate, and for foreign seamen, a letter of identification, assuming responsibility for hospital charges. 27. Doctors Visit Ships: Canal physicians will visit ships on application to the Port Captain or to the nearest hospital or dispensary. 28. Free Medical Advice by Radio: In cases of emergency, free medical advice may be obtained by ships at sea by radio from The Panama Canal, through Balboa Radio Station, call letters "NBA." Such messages should be addressed: "Govt. Medico, Pancanal," state briefly and clearly the symptoms to be treated, and be signed by the master. 29. The accuracy of the advice given is not guaranteed nor will any responsibility be assumed by The Panama Canal or medical authorities thereof, in this connection. Neither will The Panama Canal nor the radio stations guarantee the accuracy of the transmission of such messages. However, every effort is made to give valuable advice quickly and accurately. 30. No receiving or sending charge is imposed by the shore stations for this service and ships should make none. 31. Notaries Public: Duly authorized notaries public for the Canal Zone are employed in the offices of the Port Captains. 32. Hydrographic Service: Branches of the U. S. Hydrographic Office are maintained in the Port Captain's offices, where every description of hydrographic and meteorologic information is obtainable gratis. 33. Charts and sailing directions are for sale. 34. Chronometer and barometer comparisons are obtainable gratis. 35. Charges for services and supplies are published and furnished to all interested parties, who should keep posted up to date on current tariffs and price lists, which are subject to change without notice. 36. Annual Contracts: Annual contracts for supplies and services to shipping will not be entered into by the Canal. 37. Cable Service: There are direct cable connections from the Isthmus to New York, New Orleans, the west coast of Central and South America, and Mexico. 38. Prepayment: Cable messages should be prepaid and those which require an answer should have the latter prepaid, or covered by deposit. 39. Address: Cablegrams destined for The Panama Canal or for the Isthmian office of the Panama Railroad should be addressed "Pancanal, Panama." 40. It will be to the advantage of persons having business with the Canal to register their cable addresses with The Panama Canal and give the cable codes used by them. 41. Codes Used by Canal: The following cable codes are in use by The Panama Canal: Scotts (Tenth Edition) A. B. C. (Sixth Edition, improved) Watkins Telegraphic and Appendix A-1 Universal Commercial 42. Cable Offices: Cable offices are located in the cities of Cristobal, Balboa, and Panama. Visiting vessels may, however, forward cablegrams through the Port Captain at either terminal. 4. MAILS 43. Mail Service: All mail for delivery to passengers and crews of vessels in Canal Zone waters should be addressed to the vessel in care of the vessel's agent or representative at either Cristobal or Balboa. Mail matter should not be addressed in care of "Postmaster" unless the addressee intends to call at the postoffice for his mail, in which case it should be addressed to General Delivery. Daily air mail service to and from the United States, Central and South America is available. Letters may be given to the Panama Canal pilot aboard vessels to be brought ashore for mailing. Such matter should be fully prepaid with stamps affixed but may be accompanied with the required United States currency if stamps are not available. In all cases, mail sent ashore by the pilot shall be enclosed in envelopes provided for the purpose, securely sealed and properly endorsed. 44. Stamps and Postage Rates: Canal Zone postage is required on mail matter sent ashore at the Canal Zone, except that matter mailed on the high seas may carry the postage of the country under whose flag the vessel is registered. |