Canal Transit
1. Using an Agent
They can schedule your inspection, pay the toll and other fees (no buffer/deposit required when using an agent), schedule the transit, provide canal lines, additional fenders and crew (line-handlers), as well as other needs: provisioning, chandlery, official check in/out. If anything should go wrong during the transit you will be grateful for the advice an agent can provide.
2. Organizing the transit yourself
Totally feasible. The marina office can provide the initial form to complete leading to inspection and scheduling. You will need to pay in cash the deposit and canal fees, obtain suitable lines and fenders and the additional line-handlers that may be required. You will need to have an enclosed working head/toilet.
Be aware that the use of modified old tires as fenders can cause damage to you and your boat as well as other vessels alongside. A well-known breeding ground for mosquitos (which is why they are not stored at the marina).
Port Captain and Immigration Procedures
Port Captain
If staying for more than 72 hours, or hauling your vessel, a cruising permit is required whether your vessel is in water or on the hard. there is an exception applicable to vessels that remain for more than one year stored on the hard. If leaving Panamanian waters, the cruising permit will be considered expired.
Sailing within Panamanian waters a Cruising Permit is an essential requirement. You should report your departure to the Port Captains office when departing one district to go to another and may be asked to obtain a local Zarpe (costing $ 1.50). If going to San Blas you should certainly obtain a local Zarpe and report in at Porvenir to obtain an additional local cruising permit (applicable to the semi-autonomous archipelago).
Monday to Friday there is a representative form the Port Captains office present at the marina to assist with arrivals and provide advice.
International sailing instructions/zarpe. To obtain this you must visit the Port Captains office in Colon (Port authority area: Cristobal) and complete an approval form to obtain this International Zarpe (“Consentimiento de Zarpe”). Officially 2 days later the representative at the marina issues this International Zarpe: occasionally this process takes less time. Be aware that except by special arrangement here will be no representatives (Immigration and Port Captain) at the marina weekends or public holidays. The Port authority offices (Cristobal) are open 24/7: attention outside normal hours subject to overtime charges.
Immigration.
If you are not “in transit” intending to stay more than 72 hours, you will need a visa applicable to boat occupants (minors usually exempted). Currently this visa is valid for 6 months (most countries qualify). This can be renewed at least once.
Monday to Friday there is an immigration office representative to assist with the arrival and departure process. A visit to the immigration office in Colon (Cruise ship mall) will be required for the visa currently costing $ 105 USD (minors under 14 are exempted).
Note: Before entering Panama you should complete the YACHTS ARRIVAL DOCUMENT from the Panama Maritime Authority: http://www.amp.gob.pa/atraque/CaptaCartaAtraqueYates.aspx
This will assist authorities keep track for security.