Even if the Panama Canal is inoperable, they could take a boat to the Atlantic side of the canal, hike or drive across the isthmus, and get a new boat on the Pacific side. It sort of depends on how society collapses; will there be lots of ocean-going vessels lying around for the taking, and where?
I think any post-apocolyptic tale allows for a certain amount of “license” to bend the facts some … the OP is very wise to seek the actual truth, but there’s no reason to stick to them without exception … one must usually suspend GR went they pick up a science fiction novel, faster-than-light travel is a must.
Maybe the OP could take a day-long chartered fishing trip, talk up the Cap’t and crew, many would be more than happy to answer all your questions.
Hand-cranking lock gates open while rabid mangoes attack … riveting drama there I say
ETA: Easter Island is already spooky enough … that’s a great idea for the destination.
That’s exactly what I was thinking. Hiking across and getting another boat is a lot more plausible than figuring out how to operate the locks, even if (and that’s a big if) all of them are functional.
The only other alternative I can think of is that there would be some kind of well-organized tribe with (a) engineers to keep the locks functional, and (b) an army of soldiers to defend the canal against sabotage. And since 99% of the shipping traffic would have disappeared, they’d have to charge a much much higher price for using the canal. Even if the “fee” was that boats going through to canal had to give up half their cargo plus offer half their crew into slavery, I still don’t see how it would be a profitable venture with only 1% of the normal traffic.
I like the air of mystery associated with Easter Island also, it’s a good hook for the story. But traveling totally by sea isn’t really practical unless it’s a story requirement. I am assuming in this post apocalyptic world there are plenty of abandoned boats, and cars and trucks, so traveling overland across the US or across Panama and picking up a boat on the other side makes much more sense. I think the area south of the canal is an easier trek. Also, depending on the type of apocalypse the canal locks may be jammed up with large abandoned ships.
Thanks but characters are already on Liberty Island, it’s a Zombie Apocalypse so they have to be very careful where they head to. Less populated areas are better for my story.
Thanks it’s a Zombie Apocalypse so they have to be very careful where they head to. Less populated areas are better for my story so the areas such as Bahama’s, or Bermuda are too over populated. Thanks for the input and suggestions 
Forgot to say, 25 is all that is left in the story until they met other survivors.
Yes woman not man
Yes anything is possible it is a fiction story after all thanks for the input
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Thanks for the suggestions and input
And you have four kids? I’m guessing you’re English-y from the ‘mum’ if that’s the case.
Anyway, good luck with your story, there’s a lot of room here to play with. Liberty Island as a starting point is a nice hook also, it has some sci-fi cred already. In case you don’t realize it, Liberty Island is very close to New Jersey, at times before dredging you walk there from the Jersey side. There aren’t likely to be big ships docked there, but small ones will be docked all around the mainland not far away to take the big trip.
However, it takes an expert sailor to make it out of New York Harbor through the Narrows to any point in the ocean. It’s may still be possible to take small craft through the Bronx river to Long Island Sound to get to Block Island or out to the open ocean for a trip. If they’re heading for Easter Island the Skipper would probably realize the canal may not be passable and want to be prepared to take the trip around the cape, something that a trawler or ferry may not be well suited for. I think they prefer to find Coast Guard cutters for any such long voyage, and still count on a long time for that much longer trip. I don’t know the mileage, but it could easily double if you can’t take the canal.
Please please, mama, can I be one of the survivors? Y’all are going to need a canine best friend along to figure out all the electronic stuff …
Exactly, everything you’ve said is why I can’t just grab any old boat and trek across the seas. I have to make it as realistic as possible not just for my own personal interests here, but also because a lot of Apocalypse stories are so full of things that make the story bad, unrealistic things thrown in that are too far fetched, I’m very unique I like my story to be as factual as possible, it’s also a Zombie Apocalypse so they (The characters) have to be even more careful. Easter island would have been pretty cool, imagine the spookiness to that with the creepy stuff already on the Island. Unless I can get my survivors to Easter Island as believable as possible it now makes better sense to trek them to Block Island, thanks for all your input and suggestions
Unlike the Panama Canal, the Suez Canal is at sea level. There are no lock gates to open or close. The Suez route is about 1300 miles shorter than the Cape of Good Hope route, but still much longer than the Cape Horn route.
There are normally dozens of ships waiting at either end of the Panama Canal for passage. If the crews are survivors and the ships are operational they would probably head off somewhere else, though. There’s a couple of highways and railroad tracks across the Isthmus, but if it’s a zombie apocalypse there are over a million people living immediately adjacent to the Canal.
I don’t know if this is allowed or not but check out the first book, having a Canine Best Friend (Which I’m not sure if you were meant to have written that, as it implies Tooth) however it is not optional since my Zombies are DOGS yes your best friend is now a hungry devouring beast that eats humans Check it out (If the url I post is allowed) This is book one and I’m currently writing book 2 I could write you in the book as another survivor however Since you have electrical knowledge you’d be very handy
https://www.amazon.com/Zombie-Dogs-SB-16-Ellie-Douglas-ebook/dp/B01GBUP70U/
Your close, but I’m in New Zealand and yes I have four children and a granddaughter
Currently the surviving members only have one skipper which is minimal to what he can do, ie he only drove (If that is what one calls it) the ferry boats between Manhattan and the surrounding islands. So I don’t think he could mast a larger ship, the other survivors don’t have experience or backgrounds and being book two they are already established with what they can and can’t do so changing that now would be very bad. I could get more survivors but then the story would just end up being bogged down by too many characters. All this information is so appreciated it gives me ideas for other stories Thanks
Ordered - looks good - I’m sure all the posters here will appreciate this book in my hands. Zombie dog apocalypse … I love it …
I have skunk clothes from another message board … would a soldering-iron wielding mephit fit into your ideas of common-sense reality?
Now that I’ve an idea of the first volume … I’m really liking your notion of the ferry boat captain piloting a big ocean-going trawler … high-jinx and prat-falls galore … let me throw in an alternative destination of somewhere in the Bermuda Triangle … get some voodoo thing going on San Lorenzo Island …
Can I use the cover photo for my FaceBook profile?
Thank you your going to enjoy the read I can’t wait to hear what you think and yes of course you can use it on your facebook - add the link too and let me know your fb so I can add you San Lorenzo Island - admitting I have to look that up as I’ve not heard of it lol sounds very interesting
Land more than a dozen people on Easter Island and zombies will be the least of your problems. Google the history and ecology of the place. Anybody who lands there is going to starve, and right quickly. Pick any other island. Literally.