Jon Sanders AO OBE transits the Panama Canal
by Daria Blackwell / OCC 19 Jul 2020 05:27 UTC
Jon, a recipient of the OCC Challenge Grant, has completed another major milestone of his 11th Solo Circumnavigation about Peri Banou II.
Jon's transit of the Panama Canal from the city of Colon in the Caribbean to Balboa, Panama City on the Pacific side was assisted by Liz Back, the Australian Consul in Panama who recruited her family members as safe line handlers for the canal transit.
Perie Banou II was rafted up alongside Wildcat, skippered by Jon's friend Paul Stratfold. Paul's assistance in St Maarten and during the lead-up to the canal transit has been greatly appreciated. Perie Banou II exited the last of the Cocoli Locks on the 15th of July.
Peri Banou II is now tied to a mooring ball outside Balboa while Jon readies for his approximately 38-day passage to Tahiti. Jon departs Balboa today, Friday 17th of July, after he has topped up his fuel and water supplies.
Jon's 11th Circumnavigation would not be possible without the sponsors, particularly the Minderoo Foundation! Now 80 years old, Jon has successfully sailed around the world 10 times. Why is he sailing around an 11th time? To raise awareness about the amount of plastic ending up in the world's oceans and the devastating impact it is having on marine life. Supported partially by an OCC Challenge Grant, Jon is collecting water samples from all the world's oceans for analysis of plastic content.
For more information, visit www.jonsanders.com.
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This article has been provided by the courtesy of
Ocean Cruising Club.