Photos by Joseph H. Krause

As with any operation of the magnitude and complexity of the Panama Canal, round-the-clock maintenance is critical to its effectiveness and efficiency. Approximately $450 million is spent each year for the overall operation of the Canal, of which nearly $100 million is committed to maintaining and improving the waterway. Regular dredging of the main channel virtually assures a year-round maximum draft of 39.5 feet even during dry periods. Because the Panama Canal Commission recognizes and emphasizes the requirement for good maintenance, regular overhauls of miter gates, chambers, culverts and valves are scheduled to keep the locks in top operating condition.
 

 
To preserve its status as the alternative of choice for a large share of world trade, the Panama Canal Commission is continuing to make major improvements to the waterway. New, more powerful tugboats and locomotives have been acquired to accommodate increased traffic and larger ships; high mast lighting is now in place to brightly illuminate all locks areas and their approaches, resulting in safer night transit of larger vessels; a vessel mooring station has increased the effective utilization of Pacific area locks; a deepened channel virtually assures a maximum navigable draft; a synchro-lift provides for convenient maintenance and repair of Canal equipment; new state-of-the-art computers installed in the Marine Traffic Control Center surpass the high standards of previous equipment; and buoys have been converted to conform to internationally accepted standards.