As far as distance is concerned it is only a short hop between Victoria and Seattle. As far as the captain is concerned it is a very long hop to make. That has to do with changing pilots and the broken sleep on this stretch. The ms Statendam pulled out just before 23.00 last night and then disembarked the pilot outside the harbor entrance. Although in Canadian waters the area is so wide and is covered by VTS that it considered safe enough for all the ships to do their own thing. At least when going in the direction of Strait Juan de Fuca.
Thus for the next hour we sailed by ourselves to the south, crossing the Strait of Juan de Fuca and ending up at Port Angeles pilot station where we embarked the Pudget Sound Pilot who guided the ship to Seattle. We have now arrived in American Territory. So the captain had departure, the crossing and then the pick up of the new pilot. A soon as the ship is safely under way, there are about 4 hours of downtime before he has to be back on the bridge for arrival, as we dock most of the time around 05.30. By the time docking is finished it is nearly 07.00 hrs. and that is hardly a time to go back to bed as the whole world is waking up and demands attention.
If it there is some time, an early afternoon snooze might be available, but the ship sails already at 16.00 hrs. and at 15.30 there is the mandatory Guest boat drill which also requires the Captains presence and input. Then after moving off the dock and sailing back to the Port Angeles pilot station it requires the captain’s presence again. And if it were only the hours it would be just a day of regular routine but they are very intense hours as the bridge team is fully focused to ensure that everything goes according to plan.
Today the routine was upset a little bit as we had a change of command. Capt. Sybe de Boer went home and his position was taken by Capt. Vincent Smit. He will be in command of the Statendam for the next two months when Captain Chris Norman arrives who will take the ship first to Singapore and then to Sydney for the transfer to P&O Australia.
Smith Cove Cruise Terminal at Pier 91.
In Seattle we dock not in down town but at Smith Cove at Pier 91. Today we were at the West side of the dock, going Starboard side alongside. The other cruise terminal is at Pier 66 Bell street which is more down town. I spent some time trying to figure out what the better place to be is, as Smith Cove is quite a distance from down town Seattle. For the crew Bell Street would be ideal, almost in the middle of down town with Pike’s Market within walking distance. For the guests it is another story. There is much more space at Smith Cove for buses, taxis and for the loading of supplies. So operationally Holland America has the better spot. For glamour (being in every bodies* picture) maybe not so much.
What we also have in Seattle is Silent Disembark. Apart from a “welcome to the Port, we are starting now” there are no announcements. Guests are requested to stick to the times on their disembarkation paper. It makes sense to do that, as otherwise you will be stopped at the gangway anyway as your luggage will not have been offloaded yet into the terminal. So why should you leave if you can wait in the comfort of your stateroom? Holland America is the only large cruise ship company that gives this service. It puts a bit of pressure on the cabin stewards as it reduces their time do a complete clean of all the cabins before embarkation but it is a great service for the guests. To assist the cabin stewards help is called in from the dining room and with a concerted effort, all the cabins are ready by 11.30 hrs.
Seattle has a very well organized terminal with a lot of dedicated and friendly staff on standby who ensure that this silent disembark and effective luggage collecting really works. I saw this morning’s smooth routine with my own eyes as I was kicked off the ship as well for a short period; to help to reach “zero count”.
CBP wants to see a 000 on the security computer before they allow the flow to go the other way. I have to get off the ship as I live in limbo-land. I am crew according to the company but as I am not part of the ships complement, I am considered a guest by the CBP. (They call this a non-revenue passenger) So I have to get off, show my face to the CBP Officer, wait until the 000 has been reached and then I can return. I use the waiting time to call my Lord and Master at home as they have a really strong Cell Phone signal outside the terminal.
Tonight and tomorrow we are retracing our route back north again. Staying West of Vancouver Island so we can make Ketchikan on time for the day after tomorrow.
Weather forecast for the North West Pacific: Not bad at all for the area. A light to moderate breeze with a low (6 feet) swelling running from the North West, so we can expect a gentle movement of the ship. Later on the winds are to increase but they will be following winds.
(*) nowadays maybe it should say not “in the picture” but more “in the selfie”.
July 28, 2015 at 3:06 pm
Thanks for your interesting discussion of what the ship’s Master and Bridge Team experience going between Victoria and Seattle.
When the ship, as the Statendam will do in September, goes between Seattle and Vancouver, does she have to go to the Port Angeles pilot station to drop off the American pilot? Then, to the Victoria Pilot Station to pick up the Canadian pilot for the transit to Vancouver?
Is Captain Chris Norman a HAL Master or is he a P & O Australia Master? I thought Captain Smit was going to take the Statendam to Singapore.
Thank you for the information!
July 29, 2015 at 12:56 pm
Yes indeed.
The Pudget Sound pilot will be on board from Seattle to Port Angeles. Then we cross over by ourselves, and then from Victoria to Vancouver it will be a Canadian pilot.
Chris Norman is a HAL captain. But it was deemed easier with the reflagging from Dutch to British Flag to have an English national already in command during the transition.
Thank you for reading my blog.
Capt. Albert
July 28, 2015 at 4:47 pm
i travelled with holland america in 2012 – there was colored coded Disembarking but no announcements but there was usually final call announcement for specific color example – final call for red also the screens around ship shown a color groups on list showing when they need get off
July 28, 2015 at 4:55 pm
too sad !! I have sailed on the Statendam twice, including an Alaska cruise. So I guess she is being rotated out of the HAL line-up. What about the sister ships (Veendam, Maasdam etc ????)
Always eagerly reading your blogs Captain………Ruud Hartog
July 29, 2015 at 12:51 pm
Statendam and the Ryndam will be handed over to P&O Australia in October. There are no plans for the Veendam and Maasdam. Holland america wants to keep a few “small ships” to give the guests the chance to visit ports where the larger ships can not go.
thank you for reading my blog
Capt. Albert
July 28, 2015 at 5:26 pm
Captain Albert
You mentioned a change of command. I assume that there is no formal ceremony but more a paperwork exchange. Could you give us some words on what is involved between these two gentlemen to effect the change.
Thanks and regards,
Roger
July 29, 2015 at 12:49 pm
It is a very simple happening. The out going captain will have prepared a hand-over report, which is also submitted to the Head Office. This is reviewed and discussed. Then normally follows an informal discussion about the staff and the navigation officers on board. Next is going through the still open or pending emails and an indepth look at the coming voyage. This to see if the incoming captain agrees with what the outgoing has planned and if anything still needs to be done to make that voyage run smoothly. Then the final thing is a simple note in the ships log, most of the time at noon time, stating the hand over. The only ceremonial thing is the hand over of the pager . “You got it now, I am out”.
thank you for reading my blog
Capt. Albert
July 29, 2015 at 10:28 pm
Captain,
Many thanks for your response. Sitting in the Crow’s Nest and seeing the Statendam sailing West after leaving Seattle will help me explain to others as to “why are we going in this direction”.
You stated, “Then we cross over by ourselves…” Do you anticipate being aboard for any part or all of this last voyage? We have a mutual friend who lives in Lancaster, PA and Daytona Beach Shores, Florida. I would truly enjoy meeting you.
August 29, 2015 at 8:14 pm
Thanks for the details about the approach into Seattle! My curiosity has now been satisfied 🙂
Shopping for inexpensive provisions would be easier/cheaper from pier 90/91, as it is only a 10 minute taxi ride to the Fred Meyer in the Ballard neighborhood. FM is like a Wal-Mart but more local and nicer. There is, of course, the option for a long walk to Whole Foods, but it’s obviously not wallet-friendly. The golf course in sight from the bridge is public and has a mini-golf course available to take out frustrations on a little white ball.
November 1, 2015 at 5:14 pm
My husband and I have just returned from the Statendam’s last voyage in it’s name .It was amazing.I managed a few chats with Captain Chris and he was very polite and helpful.If you are able please send on our E- mail and best wishes to him and we would love to hear from him ..The staff on that ship were wonderful and as it was our number 53rd cruise we have come across many staff and passengers .This ship could not be beaten and we have made many contacts and kept up with staff and passengers on others.
A lot of effort has gone into the process of making the passengers happy , comfortable and well fed!
Thank you all , Sincerely , Penny
November 21, 2015 at 10:05 pm
The farewell from Seattle was amazing on the Statendam’s final voyage in September as the ship headed toward downtown and everyone from HAL headquarters came out with banners and waves. Also a fire boat shooting off all its cannons and a gorgeous day with Mt Raimer also giving us a goodbye.
April 27, 2017 at 12:05 am
Capt. Albert,
I have not heard from your blog since about March 18 or about the time you were leaving the Zuiderdam (March 2017).
What has happened, is there someway I can find out what is going on, as I have made calls to Seattle. Also my travel agent has tried to find out what has happened to your blog.
Any information would be appreciated. Thank you