Photo: Dr. Gordon Wilmsmeier, 2013.
The Gatun Locks are at the north end of the Canal and are composed of two lanes and three lock chambers. Southbound vessels are approaching from the Atlantic (Caribbean) to be raised 26 meters in three steps to the level of the artificial Gatun Lake. After crossing the Gaillard Cut, the ships arrive at the Pedro Miguel Locks. In the above photo, a bulk carrier is exiting the Gatun Locks and entering the Manzanillo Bay, which connects to the Caribbean Sea.