Panga (boat)

The Panga is a type of modest-sized, open, outboard-powered, fishing boat common throughout much of the developing world, including Central America, the Caribbean, parts of Africa, the Middle East, and much of Asia. The original panga design was developed by Yamaha as part of a World Bank project circa 1970.[1][2][3] Pangas are commonly operated directly off of beaches.[4] The name comes from the panga fish which is commonly netted, note the upswept bow of the boat which resembles the machete or knife called a panga. In addition to being used by fishers, pangas are also popular with Somali pirates.[citation needed]

* Photo of pangas at Tiburón Island by Steve Marlett.[citation needed]

* Photo of pangas at La Antigua River, Mexico, by Philo Nordlund.[citation needed]

* Photo of a panga in the Comoros Islands by M. Wanasimba.[citation needed]

* A panga used by Somali pirates under observation by the United States Navy.[citation needed]

Key features of the panga design are a high bow, narrow waterline beam, and a flotation bulge along the gunwale, or top edge of the hull. The high bow provides buoyancy for retrieving heavy nets, and minimizes spray coming over the bow. The narrow beam allows the hull to be propelled by a modest-sized outboard motor. The flotation bulge along the gunwale provides increased stability at high angles of roll. These features link the panga design to traditional Japanese wasen fishing boats.[citation needed]

The original Yamaha panga design had a length of 22 feet (6.7 m), and a waterline beam of approximately 5 feet 6 inches (1.7 m). The flotation bulge at the gunwale increased the overall beam to approximately 6 feet 6 inches (2.0 m).[citation needed]

Pangas are usually between 19 and 28 feet (5.8 and 8.5 m) in length, with capacities ranging from 1 to 5 short tons (0.89 to 4.46 long tons; 0.91 to 4.54 t) and powered by outboard motors of between 45 and 200 hp (34 and 149 kW). Their planing hulls are capable of speeds in excess of 35 knots (40 mph; 65 km/h).[citation needed]

The hulls are made of Fiberglass or FRP, heavily reinforced by numerous bulkheads, and usually have bow and stern enclosed flotation compartments.[citation needed]

In the hands of an experienced operator they are considered extremely seaworthy. Most pangas are expected to have a working life of between 5 and 10 years if properly maintained.[citation needed]

## Transport of Illicit Material

Panga boats have a history of usage among criminals attempting to import contraband into restricted and radar patrolled borders such as the United States [5]

## References

1. ↑ Panga history at Allmand Boats. Retrieved from http://allmandboats.blogspot.com/.
2. ↑ Panga history at Microskiff. Retrieved from http://www.microskiff.com/reviews/boats/PangaMarine_18_skiff.html.
3. ↑ Panga article at Soundings Online. Retrieved from http://www.soundingsonline.com/features/type-of-boat/178-the-versatile-panga-is-coming-of-age-.
4. ↑ Video of a panga landing on a beach in Mexico. Retrieved from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uNW0n9PlKGc&feature=related
5. ↑ "Boat with $3 million worth of marijuana seized in Channel Islands". LA Times. http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-panga-boat-marijuana-channel-islands-20150323-story.html. Retrieved 20 June 2017.

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