Experience the Panama Canal through the eyes of a Selene 59 and its crew

On December 30th, Jeff, Kami, Dave and their dog Tower navigated their Selene 59 'Dock Holiday' through the historic Panama Canal, transiting from the Pacific Ocean to the Caribbean Sea. See the great footage they kindly shared with us.

Captured on the owners' own cellphones, the journey begins early in the morning at Flamenco Marina, where strong surge conditions require careful dock line management. Thoughtful line handling and the use of thimbles help protect the vessel while awaiting clearance to depart.

As the transit begins, additional crew members come aboard to manage the 125-foot lines, along with a Panama Canal pilot who provides clear, deliberate instructions while guiding Dock Holiday into the canal system. The scale and complexity of the operation become evident as the Selene follows a fully loaded freighter into the Miraflores Lock, managing swirling currents and the prop wash from the ship ahead.

The footage offers a measured look at the process behind a private yacht’s canal transit—highlighting the systems, teamwork, and steady capability required to move safely through one of the world’s most critical maritime corridors. By the end of the video, it’s abundantly clear that a Panama Canal transit is a test of preparation, coordination, and seamanship—all qualities at the core of long-range passagemaking.

In this video, you’ll experience:

• The Panama Canal pilot boarding Dock Holiday
• Pilot briefings and instructions during the transit
• Entry into and exit from the locks
• Managing strong currents within the locks
• The immense scale of the canal