18 May 2008, Sunny Ketchikan.

If it is nice weather in Ketchikan, then the captain has to pay dearly for it by losing his night’s sleep. Just after crossing the Canadian –Alaska border, the ceiling came down and we had dense fog banks all the way up to the Ketchikan pilot station. Thus I had to be on the bridge as the extra man, in case an emergency action was needed. I split these standby hours with the chief officer, who is the second in command. He does 0600 – 1200/1800-2400 and I do 0000 – 0400/1200 – 1800. He has the more decent hours as he has to run a complete department as well, a deck department that starts walking up around 5 am. so it is handy that he is around when everybody checks in. I might be running a complete ship but I do not need to do that at set times.

The fog lifted with the rising sun, note this: rising SUN in Ketchikan; and we glided with a slow speed to the berth. We were the only big cruise ship in today and that meant I could park the ship right opposite Diamonds International. It does not get more central. By 0700 am the gangway was out and by 07.15 the first eager shoppers streamed ashore. All the shops were already open as Ketchikan shops open and close with the arrival and departures of the cruise ships. By 07.30 I was in bed to catch up with sleep. A golden rule here in Alaska is that you pick a few hours of sleep when ever you can, as you never know when the next standby will be. You see the same in the armed forces. Soldiers always try to catch a wink here and there, as they also never know when something will happen next. So I got a few hours until 09.30 when the bridge called for the discussion about the next port.

Ketchikan remained sunny all day and apart from a chilly breeze it was very pleasant. Out of the wind, people where sitting in shorts and T-shirts enjoying the warm weather. We pulled out right on time, as I was in a hurry. The stretch Ketchikan – Haines is very tight speed wise, when the wind and currents are against you and that was the case this time. On average 1.5 knots all the way. Flood while we went towards the sea and then ebb, after changing course to the North and running away from the sea. The strong breeze blowing from the NW, while sailing through Clarence Strait did not help either. At least the wind will keep the fog away this time.

Here a quick note to answer some questions posed in the last comments on the blog.

1. Fire fighting squads. Both the deck and engine departments provide two teams. The Officers are the team leaders of two attack teams on both sides and the ratings provide manpower for hose handling and supplies. Hotel department provides teams, such as stretcher teams, medical, evacuation teams, passenger notification team etc. etc. Each position is function related. The safety officer is the On Scene Commander for all non engineering spaces, if he goes home; his/her replacement takes over. Apart from weekly training on board, there is a five yearly training, either in Vlissingen, the Netherlands, or in Seattle or in College Station Texas. Texas A&M University). This summer we are also doing trainings in Juneau while the ship is in port.
2. Picture of the 1920 Ryndam. Sent separately off site.
3. What is the best side to have a cabin when sailing from Seward to Vancouver? We dock: Seward SB, Sitka at anchor, Skagway SB., Juneau SB, Ketchikan PS and Vancouver SB.
4. Captains switching during the Amazon cruise. No overlap for me. It will be straight on for me in the morning and directly off for my relief in the afternoon. I will receive my handover files a few days beforehand and then have a 4 hour hand over when coming on board. As I know the Veendam very well after four years a handover does not take that much time. If it is the first time on a ship, then there is a handover of a week.
5. Photographs. There are absolutely no restrictions in taking photos on board in principle. Just refrain from climbing on things, while you take your photos. Only no photo taking is allowed in the Casino and during Show time in the lounge.

Also note: The new Employee of the Month has been posted under My Ship