As I mentioned yesterday it was going to be an early arrival and that for two reasons. First of all Newport is a short stay and I wanted the tenders to be ready for whenever the first guest wanted to go ashore and secondly because we were going to have a USCG boarding before arrival.
Since September 11, the USCG boards ships as part of their Homeland Security plan. Sometimes they announce this far in advance, sometimes they show up, unanounced, together with the pilot. At other times, they have their Zodiacs (Rigid inflatable’s as these boats are officially called) going with the ship in an out of port. This time I had received an Order of the Captain of the Port informing me that several USCG officers would board an hour before the pilot station. Until they were on board and had checked the ship out, I was not allowed to enter the port. That sounds harsh but it is normal standard operating procedure. I had set the pilot boarding time for 04.30, so they would come on board at 03.30 which meant I had to be on the bridge just after 02.30. Not only me, but also the chief officer and all the off-duty security guards who would provide the escort once Coastguard would be on board. Although all the ships can in principle be boarded, when they enter or leave an USA port, it are mostly cruise ships and gas tankers as these sort of ships are considered to be the most likeable objects for a terrorist attack.
By 03.15 we had 6 USCG officers on board who split up in two groups of two. Each accompanied by a ships security guard. Two went to the engine room spaces, two went to the bridge and two walked around the ship. After they had done their inspection, the Order of the Captain of the Port was rescinded and we could continue our voyage towards the pilot station. By 05.30 we dropped the anchor and by 6 am, we had our tenders in the water ready for the day’s operation. The USCG left at the anchorage, coming and going with their own cutter. They had been up since 11 pm, the evening before, just for this ride and I assume they were ready for bed.
There was a large USCG presence in the port today. Spotter planes overhead, an extra cutter at the anchorage and multiple zodiacs milling around the anchorage. I was beginning to feel quite important. Then the pilot spoiled the fun by advising that there was a major USCG convention at the Hotel on the waterfront, just where we were at anchor. So the “boys with toys” show was for their benefit not for the Veendam.
We do not have that many boarding’s as most of the time USCG zodiacs escort us in and out of port. This is the version that I like the most. Apart from the USCG doing their thing, they can help us by keeping the Sunday sailors out of the way. While sailing along the zodiacs enforce a 500 yard exclusion zone around the ship but the skippers are always were willing to race ahead on request of the pilot or me and get a pleasure boat out of the way, who totally oblivious of the rest of the world, is heading directly for a collision. We had one on departure Newport as well and the USCG was right there to get him out of the way.
Tomorrow is a day at sea and we are heading almost straight South. We will be coming under the influence of the Gulf Stream during the night and means that the temperatures are going up. Thus we go to white uniform tomorrow as of 6 am.
October 17, 2007 at 3:14 pm
Capt. is it you (the master of Veendam) who decides when to switch from winter blues to summer whites (uniform), is it done by someone in Seattle or does it have to do with a certain day/month of the year?
Also, you mentioned that Veendam is the “British” ship of the fleet. I remember a few years back that Veendam had British masters, i.e. Jonathan Mercer and Peter Harris. That is obviously no longer the case with yourself being a Dutchie. I believe Veendam’s other master is Capt. James Russell-Dunsford. Was there a reason for the switch or are you really a Brit in disguise? 😉
October 17, 2007 at 4:21 pm
“I had to be on the bridge just after 0230″……… Well, I would rather you than me, capatain! I rather enjoy my beauty sleep.
However, as a passenger, or potential passenger to be slightly more accurate, I have to say that I am very impressed and highly appreciative of the enormous care & attention now given to protect tourists from terrorist threats during their vacations.
Our only significant previous experience of this was on a mini-cruise to Egypt from Cyprus. After the ship docked at Port Said we disembarked into a line of buses which set off for Cairo and our visit to the Pyramids. The security was amazing. Police and army jeeps rode alongside, in front and behind the bus convoy with armed police or soldiers on constant lookout. At every road intersection, as we passed through Port Said, there were police barriers to seal off each side road until the convoy of about 12 buses from 2 (small) cruise ships passed by.
Each bus was numbered and was not allowed to overtake the one in front, so that the authorities always had a clear view of their convoy. Of course, we encountered no security problems whatever but there must have been hundreds of people involved in that surveillance of our tourist convoy and many hours of planning and coordination by the security people – all to ensure our safety.
It is very sad that all of this security is now required but we tourists should be deeply endebted to the very many individuals who go to such great lengths to ensure our safety and, in so doing, are fully prepared to place their own lives on the line.
It is evident from your previous posts, Captain, that Holland of America Lines has also had to develop much more stringent security procedures to comply with international requirements. Passengers should, hopefully, value the rationale for these procedures and appreciate the time and efforts expended by the ship’s crew in ensuring the safety of all on board.
October 17, 2007 at 4:28 pm
John…..I hope the Captain knows that a fellow ‘Dutchie’ is asking him if he is a ‘Brit’ in disguise.
Captain, I hope that you are the skipper on the Veendam next May 9th, 2008. My wife and I would love to met you in person as we have enjoyed reading your blogs.
Terry & Barb Green
Marysville, Washington