Passing Suez Chanal

[hallasm]

Brilliance of the Seas passing Suez Canal January 16, 2011.

We arrived in the area off Port Said late Saturday afternoon. We anchored alongside more than 30 other ships, finalizing the paper work necessary for the passage.

 

1:00 AM we entered the canal at Port Said in a convoy of 6 ships.

The channel is aligned with the two areas where the north and southbound convoys can meet.

At 07:00AM we had reached through the first half to Ismailia and Lake Timsah and at 09:00AM we had reached Bitter Lake. Here we anchored up to wait for the northbound convoy, and at 11:00AM we could proceed

towards City of Suez and the Red Sea.

 

We left the canal at the City of Suez at 14:00PM after 11 hours saileing and 2 hours of waiting at Bitter Lake.

 

Suez Canal

Suez Canal was opened in 1869 and is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea - from Port Said in north to City of Suez in south.

The canal is 193.30 km (120.11 miles) long, 24 m (79 ft) deep, and 205 metres (673 ft) wide. The ships are led through the canal in convoys and crossing takes 12 to 14 hours depending on whether one must wait for oncoming convoys. - The channel is 16 to 24 m deep, so that even quite large ships can pass.

The channel goes through 2 lakes, Lake Timsah and Bitter Lake where it is possible for the convoys to meet.

 

The right bank (West bank) of the canal is cultivated with lots of cities and oases, while the left bank (east bank) is the Sinai Desert. It was a great experience and fascinating to sail through the canal.

Watch a

of the Suez Canal.

[TedC]

Thank you for canal information and the video.

 

We may be transiting the canal next year from Dubai to Athens - which side of ship - port or starboard - would be best for most interesting views?

[paul929207]

Thanks again for the info.

[hallasm]

Port side when coming from South - East bank is primarily Sinai Desert while West bank is more interesting!

I't also more sunny - primarily when passing Mediterranean.

Mogens

[TedC]

Thank you for the helpful and prompt reply.