04 July 2008, American Independence day in Seward.

Although we left late from Yakutat Bay; we arrived on time in Seward, being all fast by 05.30 am. Normally I go to bed then for a few hours but this time there was the challenge of getting the 4th. of July float on the road. As soon as something is not standard routine and involves multiple departments, a simple issue can become a challenge. Mr. Murphy is most of the time on the organizing committee and as a result the best laid plans come to nothing. Certainly in a situation when we only call at a port, such as Seward, once in the 14 days. It lacks the chance of multiple meetings to get things organized and to make people fully aware of all that is going on. Then it helps to have the five stripes of the captain behind the venture and if necessary to bull-dozer through all normal routines and established procedures on board the ship. That is one of the great things of my job. I am fully exempt from making job orders and to seek approval. It just happens, when I think that something needs to be done. I am always looking for opportunities to make my ship look good had having a float in the town parade is a thing not to be missed. So forget about sleep, do some organizing and get everybody running

Via our agent in Seward Mary we had gotten hold of a flat bed truck, graciously donated by Spenard Builders Supply in Seward. Also she managed to obtain a small power generator needed for the instruments of the band. This also provided free of charge; by Resurrection Rental in Seward. To both companies thank you VERY much for helping us out. (See note from the sponsors)

This was all waiting on the dock when we arrived. In the past few days the ships carpenters had constructed a small replica of the ships funnel, which was to be the floats centre piece and eye catcher. The original plan had been to have white smoke (stage haze) coming out of the funnel but the smoke machine produced too much heat for the funnel to withstand and that plan had to be abandoned. It took the concerted effort of the Bo’sun and his sailors to get this funnel out of the ship as the ships break doors were well below the dock surface and the thing did only just fit through the door.

The chief officer and I spent most of the early morning ensuring that a proper railing was set up around the float so that the participants were not going to fall off the float while in the parade. For the rest a contingent of Ladies under the direction of the crew purser decorated the float in red white and blue plus a few Alaska flags to top it off. The parade theme officially was 50 years Alaska Statehood but as we had no idea what to do about that one, the girls all dressed up in cooks outfits (from the Master chef dinner) That did not make any sense either but it certainly got the attention of everybody. At the last moment the ships florist arrived with the flowers and that completed the float build up.

Ships Agent Mary and I in front of the nearly completed float.

The float with the band on high volume passing by the Millennium

I could not resist it to have the dutch flag on the float as well.

The supplier of the truck had also provided a driver who was experienced in doing parades so the total effect was one to be pleased with. The power generator worked extremely well and with the amplifiers blaring away at full output the float set course for the parade assembly ground by 11 am. Moving extremely slow past the Millennium (of course) who were not participating and so were given a good view of the latest Veendam venture. With the float happily on its way, I could go to bed to catch a few hours of extra sleep. The average temperature in Alaska is slowly going up and that automatically means an increase in foggy periods.
The float on parade in the streets of Seward.

The float returned to the ship around 2 pm. with a lot of excited American crew on board and the feedback was that Team Veendam-USA had made a great impression on the locals. All worthwhile the effort. It cost a bit of time but doing something totally different is great for the team spirit. As the Philipinno’s and Indonesians are the two biggest groups on board, most of the emphasis onboard is on their public holidays but it is important that the rest is not forgotten.

We sailed right on time from the dock, retracing our steps to the Yakutat Bay. The weather turned out to be quite good in Seward not sunny but nice and dry and that was quite perfect weather for the parade. As this weather is supposed to linger for awhile, the weather in Yakutat should be good also. Maybe a bit windy.

With a very special BIG thank you to Mary Nelsen our CLAA agent in Seward without whom it would have never happened. Mary: Thanks very much for all your hard work………….and you might be stuck with us again for next year.

fotos via Mary Nelsen and chief officer Remko Fehr

Note:
Spenard Builders Supply
(flat bed truck and driver)
Mile 3.5 Seward Hwy.
Seward, AK 99664
Phone: (907) 224-5576
Fax: (907) 224-4521
http://www.sbsalaska.com/assets/locations/stores/seward.htm

Resurrection Rental
(silent power generator for the band)
804 4th Ave
Seward, AK 99664
907-224-3400