Captain’s Log — Sailaway from Quebec

Captain Jonathan Mercer

The Eurodam departed Quebec slightly late yesterday. However, this did not affect our arrival time at Saguenay because we had a slow steam to the port. Several combined factors were the reason for delay. First and foremost, there were late-arriving guests from Quebec Airport whose flight had been delayed and I opted to wait for them — rather than have them experience the long and arduous trip to Saguenay or, heaven forbid, Cornerbrook.

Also, shipping movements within the port and the need for use of a tug which was “otherwise engaged” on another vessel delayed our departure. The combination of wind on the starboard beam, gusting 20 knots, and a flood tide that was running at 2.5 knots meant that without tug assistance, the Eurodam wasn’t going anywhere. Both wind and current were literally “pinning” us to the pier.

From left: 1st Officer Daniel Wardle, Captain Mercer and Chief Officer Bas van Dreumel on the port bridge wing waiting for the delayed guests to arrive.

The 5,500-hp ‘Z’ drive tug assisted by pulling on the starboard bow.

A view from the starboard bridge wing looking upriver. There are two of the cross-river passenger ferries in the foreground and a ‘Laker’ inward bound for the Welland Canal. The Great Lakes are in the far background.

The view from the port bridge wing, showing the gangway and walkway arrangement. The Canadian Coast Guard cutter Tracy is in the background and the famous Hotel Fontenac is on the hill.

Photos courtesy of Captain Mercer.

Handing Over the Keys

As you know, Captain van Donselaar went on vacation today and handed over the reins to Captain Jonathan Mercer. In her final act for the blog (until she returns from vacation!) Pam was on hand to capture the moment on film. Tommorrow we’ll do a full “Meet the Captain” post on Captain Mercer so you can learn all about Eurodam’s new master. (Captain van Donselaar looks very happy to be going on his well-deserved break, don’t you think?!)

More Postcards from Quebec

The office of Robert Lepage is called Ex Machina “EM” and is located in an old firehouse. Lepage, a famous playwright, actor and film director, was born in Quebec City. For more on Lepage, check out his Web site.

Quebec is celebrating its 400th anniversary this year. The theme for the festivities is “The Encounter,” highlighting Quebec City’s time-honored role as a meeting place for people and cultures.

Rue Sous-Le-Fort. Look at the bicycles on the buildings on the left.

View of Eurodam from Upper Town.

Le Musee de la Civilisation in Quebec

Le Musee de la Civilisation was the most interactive and creative museum I have ever been to. It beats the Nobel Museum in Oslo, Norway, which was quite technologically interactive as well!

There are 12 exhibits, and most of them are very interactive and teach so much. My favorite was “Urbanopolis.” This exhibit depicted the major challenges of the 21st century with more people living in cities than in suburbs, the country, etc. Many solutions were explored to solve overcrowding in terms of housing — check out one in particular called Arcosanti.

My other favorite exhibit was “The People of Quebec … Then and Now.” It depicts the history of Quebec from New France to today. The exhibit illustrates the relations with the Amerindians when the French arrived, the successes and failures of colonization and much more.

No pictures could be taken inside the exhibits, only in the main hall and outside the building.

The Musee de la Civilisation is across the street from the pier where Eurodam is docked.

The museum is known for its innovative and daring architecture, and it defines itself as a seat of knowledge and ideas, a museum endowed with valuable collections, an education center and a living memory.

“The Visionaires Garden” by Franco Dragone. This new project was created by Dragone and developed with Québec City artists using water, light and plants as installation materials to create a gathering place for visitors.

Eurodam at the New Saguenay Pier

Eurodam is at Saguenay, Quebec, today, and if you haven’t checked out the ship alongside the new pier click on this link.

What Does the Pilot Do?

Global Pilotage
Most ports in the world require pilotage, the practice where a pilot comes on board near the entrance of the port and then assists the ship’s captain with bringing the ship into port, and docking or anchoring in the designated anchorage. The pilot also helps provide safe passage when the ship departs.

The role of a pilot is that of an adviser. Contrary to common belief, the pilot does not take over command of the ship from the captain. The captain stays in command and is ultimately responsible for the ship. A pilot may assume the conduct of the ship, but only with permission of the master. As both the harbor pilot and captain have the same goal — the safety of the ship — the relationship is mutually courteous and professional.

Pilots are usually licensed master mariners and have years of experience in guiding ships in and out of a specific port. They have a wealth of knowledge about the local currents, piers and docks, water depths, communication procedures and regulations, and local users of the waterway. As no two ports in the world are the same, this knowledge can be indispensable for a ship’s captain who may be visiting a port for the first time or under adverse weather conditions.

The Pilot Ladder
On arrival at the breakwaters or fairway buoy, the ship is met by a pilot boat. The speed of the ship is adjusted to 8 to 15 knots, depending on the capabilities of the pilot boat. Often, a course alteration also is necessary to provide the best possible lee against wind and seas to ensure a safe and efficient pilot transfer from the pilot boat to the ship.

The pilot boat will match the speed of the ship and come alongside near the pilot ladder which is connected to an opening in the hull called a shell door. In port, Eurodam uses these same doors to allow guests and crew to go ashore by means of a gangway. But when the pilot transfers from the boat to the ship, it’s by means of a rope ladder suspended from a shell door.

The pilot is met at the top of the pilot ladder by a licensed deck officer who is in radio communication with the bridge. After the pilot’s ID has been checked he is then escorted to the bridge by the officer. Upon arrival on the bridge the pilot is introduced to the captain and, usually over a cup of coffee, the two discuss the ship’s arrival plan.

Upon departure the same happens, but in reverse.

Pilot David Smith from Bar Harbor, Maine, leaves Eurodam cautiously down the ladder to the pilot boat as both the Eurodam and the boat sail side by side at a speed of 8 knots.

Watch Eurodam Arrive at Saguenay Monday, Sept. 29

While it won’t be Eurodam’s first call at Saguenay, Quebec, Monday, Sept. 29, it will be the first time the ship — or any ship, for that matter — will be alongside at the port.

The Port of Saguenay built a new pier, and Eurodam will be the first ship to use it. While it may not look finished today, port officials assured Captain van Donselaar that it will be ready on Monday morning when the ship arrives.

Eurodam is scheduled to arrive at Saguenay around 7:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Monday, so if you’re up and online that early, click on this link to watch the ship arrive live.

More Postcards from Peggy’s Cove

Eurodam called at Halifax yesterday, and here are more of Pam’s beautiful photos from Peggy’s Cove.

Peggy’s Point Lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove.

While no doubt the most well-known lighthouse in Canada and one of the most photographed lighthouses in the world, the history of the light at Peggy’s Cove is little known. Various versions account for the name. Peggy is the nickname for Margaret and the community may have acquired the name from nearby Saint Margaret’s Bay. Other accounts suggest Peggy was an early settler. A popular romantic version says a woman named Peggy was the only survivor of a shipwreck, and there are American families that even claim to be descents from the shipwrecked Peggy.

Captain van Donselaar in front of Peggy’s Point Lighthouse.

The lighthouse was erected in 1868 to mark the eastern entrance to St. Margaret’s Bay. While best known as the Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse, it remains officially know as the Peggy’s Point Lighthouse, as its purpose is to mark the point, not the cove. The first lighthouse was a wooden tower, built atop a keeper’s dwelling at the point. This structure was replaced by the present tower in 1915. The lighthouse was manned until 1958 when it became automated.

Had Captain van Donselaar been at the helm, we’re sure this boat would not have run aground!

Postcards from Boston

Eurodam called at Boston yesterday, and Pam went ashore to do some more exploring.

The Massachusetts State House was completed January 11, 1798, after state leaders decided they wanted a larger and more elegant venue for the state house. The dome, originally made out of wood shingles, is now sheathed in copper and covered by 23 karat gold.

This marker can be found on a post on the fence in front of the Massachusetts State House. The land originally had served as a cow pasture for Governor John Hancock; his home was built in 1737 but destroyed in 1863.

Postcard from Quebec

Guest Linda Riggin sent us this photo from her recent Eurodam cruise.

I just recently returned from a cruise aboard the ms Eurodam (Sept. 1-11). In the last Daily Program we were encouraged to send in photos of ports we had visited. I am enclosing a picture I took of the Eurodam in port at Quebec. Thank you Holland America for a wonderful cruise and many happy memories!

With warmest regards,

Linda Riggin