Today is the last day of the cruise and the 2nd sea day since we left Puerto Vallarta. As we are going north and as we are in the middle of the cold water current now (The California Current to be precise) the outside temperature is steadily dropping. If, before you hung over the railing to have a cool breeze, now it is time to stay out of the breeze as that breeze is rather too cool. But in the shelter of the ship it was a glorious sunny day and many guests tried to catch a final bit of sunshine before they have to face the reality of a cold winter.
Due to the cool northerly wind and the cool sea water temperature, it was a crystal clear day and the mountains of California Mexican side, were clearly visible. All sand and dunes, no vegetation what so ever. Not a place to get lost in as the only water you can see is the salt water of the ocean. For those on the outside decks there was some excitement as the ship sailed past a large group of sailing boats. In the past I have been ranting a few times in my blog about six-pack navigators but these were the professionals. They were sailing a yearly race between San Diego and Cabo San Lucas and I counted at least 25 of them. As the weather had been steady in this area – very good sailing weather – a lot of them were very close together so it should be a tight finish by the time they get to the port.
For me it was tying up the last loose strings today of my stay on the Veendam. My final lifeboat pupil passed the 2nd chance exam and the Veendam now has 57 additional experts in lowering a lifeboat. All my activities onboard have to be reported to the powers in Seattle and that meant an afternoon of hammering away on the computer. Life is never dull with Holland America, mine certainly is not and as of today my sailing schedule has suddenly changed. Instead of visiting a ship in the Caribbean I am flying to South Africa.
Anybody ever been to Luderitz? That is Namibia, north of South Africa. The plan is now as follows: I will be in Seattle until the end of the coming week and then join the ms Rotterdam in Cape Town, South Africa from Nov. 15th until December 16th. Lisbon. During that period I will be training new joining officers and induct them in the secrets of Holland America Life. By the time you read this my schedule on the blog will have been updated. The ms Rotterdam is by that time sailing on her final leg of an Around Africa cruise which started on the 27th. of September. In the coming days my blogging might be a bit irregular until I can share some insights by gazing up to Table Mountain.
Tomorrow morning, the good ship Veendam will dock in San Diego around 06.15. As we are coming from a non US port there will be a full CBP inspection and in order to not delay the disembarkation, the CBP officers are happy to join us early, as long as we are there as well, and on time. The Veendam will be leaving the same day for a cruise to Hawaii and back. She is basically taking over the cruises from the Statendam from last year and before, as that ship is now, among other things, going up and down the west coast of North & South America to Callao and back.
November 7, 2014 at 11:02 pm
The sailboats are the 21st annual Baja Ha Ha
http://www.latitude38.com/crewlist/MexForms/mexskipper_results.lasso
This is a list of 35 boats that signed up for the trip. Boats from Canada to San Diego assemble in San Diego and began this years “race” leaving San Diego October 27. They sail in a group to Cabo San Lucas. Many long distance cruisers begin their travels in the Ha Ha, while others spend the winter months in Mexico and environs.
Greg Hayden
Vista, CA – San Diego area
November 9, 2014 at 10:34 pm
Thank you for letting me know.
I lost the count at 25 But I assume that if they started out with 35, some might have lagged behind.
Thank you for reading my blog
Capt Albert
November 8, 2014 at 11:50 am
I’m pleased to read that you will be joining the Rotterdam in Cape Town for the last segment of its African Explorer voyage. The trip has been a great adventure so far, visiting ports that even some of the most veteran staff have never called at. We even had a 360 mile diversion around a cyclone in the Indian Ocean, which the vunerable Rotterdam handled with ease! I remember you sailed on the Rotterdam V; have you also been with the VI? With 7 sea days between Angola and Cape Verde, I will hope to get a refresher lecture on the company and its ships by you, dear captain.
November 9, 2014 at 10:36 pm
Good morning,
thank you for reading my blog. No I have not sailed as Master on the R’dam. I went to the old N ships
then The S class and then the Prinsendam.
thank you for reading my blog
Capt. Albert
November 8, 2014 at 4:31 pm
Have enjoyed our cruise from Boston, it seems to have flown past, full of interesting insights as to the inner workings of the Ship.
I am certainly looking forward to the African adventure, never been there
I would think the powers in Seattle will be very pleased with your successful training of the
Crew ,
Best wishes and thanks from Robina Herrington Yorkshire England.
November 8, 2014 at 4:51 pm
Captain Albert,
We both will be joining the Rotterdam in Cape Town! Looking forward to finally meet you.
Would love to invite you for a drink, to thank you for all the blogs.
Tot ziens.
Best regards,
Ineke
November 8, 2014 at 5:03 pm
I suspect that by the time your week in Seattle is finished, you will be very familiar with the local version of “Very Low-hanging Clouds.” Not to be confused with “very wet low clouds” that some visitors call “light drizzle.” 🙂
November 9, 2014 at 10:47 pm
It has already started, very low hanging cloud above Home wood Suites. and it has gone lower and
lower all through the afternoon.
Thank you for reading my blog for all these years
Capt. Albert
November 9, 2014 at 5:18 am
Good afternoon Captain Albert from a sunny Cape Town.
I have been following your blogs for some time now and find them most interesting reading , especially the technical and navigation reports. Your details of your training programs are also of great interest. Passengers (guests) are not aware of all the backroom work that goes into making our cruise enjoyable and safe. I was employed , shore based, in to shipping industry in Cape Town and therefore have some appreciation of the behind scenes work. I was considering booking on Rotterdam from Cape Town to Lisbon but with short time to obtain all the visas we South Africans need for voyage I had to abandon the idea so I am sorry I will not have the pleasure of meeting you in person. Welcome to cape Town in a few days time.
Best regards
Ted Dixon
November 9, 2014 at 10:49 pm
Well I am sorry about that. Hopefully one day the world will be a visa free place. I have the same hassle each time visit the USA, North Africa or Australia.
Thank you for reading my blog
Capt. Albert
November 14, 2014 at 6:14 pm
Too exciting! You can now practise your “Afrikaans”!
Are you still in Seattle, Captain? Instead of the low clouds that drop down lower and lower, might you now have the Arctic air blanketing your area as it does slightly more north of you?
That day for a world without visas is very much of a possibility …
I’ll be very busy pretty soon running on the sandy beach of Sans Soucis past the Olympic Pool in Waikiki, finding puka shells, and splish-splashing in the turquoise waters!