After our windy departure from Rosyth we were flushed to open sea with the strong ebb current. We had just over three knots going with us but in a few days it will be full moon and springtide and then that current might reach six knots. The pilot onboard was not very happy with that, as it made transits down river very tricky. The ships are then difficult to slow down and a ship is being pushed all over the place when going around bends. From the Firth of Forth to Amsterdam you have to cross the North Sea on a South Easterly heading which is basically diagonally. As most traffic in the North Sea is North South or South North and follows the coast line, we did not have to deal with very much traffic until we came closer to the Dutch coast. During the night and morning we sailed through extended areas with oil and gas platforms and once we neared the Dutch coast we came across several Wind Parks. The latter all being part of a drive to diversify energy sources. My Dutch officers tell me “green electricity” is still dearer than normal electricity but with the number of Windmills still being planned that is supposed to change.
The distance from Rosyth to Amsterdam is too long for an overnight sailing and too short for a two day one so we were scheduled for an afternoon arrival at the Ijmuiden locks and for an 8 pm docking time at the Amsterdam cruise terminal. The predicted weather for today came true with the sun shining brightly and a gentle breeze to keep the temperatures at a reasonable level. At least while we were at sea; coming closer to the coast it became warmer and warmer and the temperature rose to the low 80’s. This beautiful weather called for the guests to be out in force, all on the decks to watch the ship going into the locks. Just outside Ijmuiden locks there is a public beach, full with the “best of Amsterdam” and with a large selection of topless ladies. For some of our guests not being used to this display of Mother Nature, it was quite an eye opener. My quartermasters found it highly interesting and were glued to the binoculars, much to chagrin of the one who was steering as he could not see anything.
Ijmuiden locks with a tanker inside.
The approach schedule, as communicated to the pilots in the last 24 hours (it goes with six hourly updates for the best planning possible), worked out and the locks were open so we could sail straight in. There was another ship in the locks but as it was small and the locks are big, there was more than enough room for the Prinsendam as well. From there we sailed for 2 hours through the North Sea Canal at the very sedate speed of 7.5 knots. They are very afraid here for damage to smaller ships and boats caused by wash and suction so there are speed rules. The maximum speed allowed depending on the draft of the vessel. With a draft up to 6 meters you are allowed a speed of 9.5 knots; a draft of 7 meters (like the Prinsendam) relates to a maximum speed of 7.5 knots and with drafts over 8 meters a maximum of 6.5 knots is allowed. The Prinsendam does not create much of a wash as long as we are going less then 12 knots but it still displaces water. When moving along the ship creates a hole in the water and when the ship moves forward that hole behind the ship has to be re-filled. The faster you travel the more water flow you create and the faster the water flows back to fill that hole. It results on occasion in the fact that all the water is sucked out of a side channel. If that is a shallow area, the end result could be that the little crafts could touch bottom with a real bump and at the time same get torn from their moorings. That results in damage and complaints. So I normally pull back a little bit extra on the ships telegraphs to ensure that there will never be a dispute about my ship speed being too fast.
I wish they had these things in every port and with the same arc of adjustment.
By 7 pm. We approached the passenger terminal in Amsterdam located right behind Central Station. This area used to be harbor docks where once well established shipping company’s such as KNSM (Royal Dutch Boat) and the Netherland line would have their head quarters. With the advent of the container, the prominence of these docks faded and it is now all built up with houses and apartment buildings. That means that you are spinning the ship around as if you are standing in a city square, which of course is good fun to do.
By 19.45 hrs we were happily alongside with the gangway in. This is a telescopic contraption as you have at airports and that makes it really easy to get in and out of the ship. We will be here overnight. Tomorrow the guests will disembark and new guests boarding, although there are about a 100 who will stay with us for the next cruise to the Baltic.
August 9, 2009 at 1:56 pm
Thanks again, Captain. I’ve really enjoyed this cruise with you, all of it, and I’m likely going to book it in the near future.
Fascinating part of the world, very little of which I have seen.
Best, DFD
August 19, 2009 at 8:19 pm
Captain, we were aboard and would like to thank you for a wonderful voyage.
I tried to be above to observe your masterful handling of the ship on each docking. The last, at Amsterdam, was the best.
I watched as you pulled the ship into the channel left of the island, with the bow towering above the people sitting on park benches … they must see this often because they did not move and observed with only mild curiosity.
When I didn’t see any line handlers, it became obvious you were going to do a 180 reverse to the cruise terminal, which you did. It was a magnificent piece of maneuvering!