Stardate 11993.4

Captain's Log: Stardate 11993.4
Last night, the Enterprise participated in her first Venice Christmas Boat Parade, kicking off what I expect to be a long tradition of winter boating down here in sunny Florida. The parade, made up of 31 boats, travelled along the shallow waters of the IntraCoastal Waterway to literally thousands and thousands of spectators along the shoreline and on numerous spectator boats.

Of course, Ellen and I want to give a world of thanks to our brave crew and new friends Mary, John, Sandy, Tom, Cathy and especially VYC Sailing Fleet Captain Bob for putting us all together. They all came bearing flashlights and Christmas attire (including a risqué set of Santa-style boxer shorts complete with a jingle-bell fly,) all doing their best to hide their trepidation about stepping aboard a boat named "Starship Enterprise" with a captain who is more than a little unfamiliar with the local waters -- in the dark no less.

The festivities started the night before at the club with the annual "Lighting of the Fleet":

The VYC docks were PACKED with members and guests strolling along and taking in the sights of all the lit-up boats. How lit up was the fleet? I think Fruition alone had to have close to 3,000 watts of bulbs on his rig alone. Multiply that by over 30 boats and I heard that, by the next day, there was enough stray current in the water that the local fishermen were catching fish that were already filleted and grilled.

But then on to the parade. After my short safety briefing and explanation about some of the systems on the Enterprise (Ellen still hates my using-the-head talk where I say that nothing goes in the head unless you've eaten or drank it -- and that if you do put something other than that in the head, be prepared to eat or drink it,) we started up the impulse engine and proceeded at one-quarter impulse power towards the Albee Street bridge.

We were all treated to a beautiful sunset as we started to line up in our pre-assigned position, with the Enterprise designated at 28th in the 31-boat fleet (all the sailboats were at the end, proving once again the adage that you save the best for last.) Then, over the radio, the countdown began. 5, 4, 3, 2, 1... the Enterprise's inverter was switched on lighting up the boat and inflating the snowman and Santa Claus on the bimini. Each boat in the fleet came alive. Just ahead, a C&C 35 Mk III, whose light patterns I studied closely so as I'd be able to follow her on the route. Behind us, Fruition's lights came on at precisely 6:00pm. I think her crew was pretty well "lit" by 6:05pm.

Ellen and I have witnessed a few holiday boat parades in the past while December vacationing in the Caribbean, and, as fun as spectating was, we always wondered what it would be like to actually participate in one on the Enterprise. It was fantastic! I admit I was worried about visibility, running aground and keeping the Enterprise in position during the speed changes, but all went amazingly well. And a BIG thanks to all on board for shining lights on the red and green channel markers and pointing out parts of the shoreline.

Were there boats more lit up than the Enterprise? Yes, but I really wanted to see where I was going, especially as a local newbie.

What I found to be especially fun was that some of the boats incorporated music into their theme. One powerboat was repeating the Snoopy / Red Barron song. Fruition was looping Mariah Carrey. Joan Marie III has some selections from the Frozen soundtrack -- all which got me to thinking -- if I were to rig up speakers around the boat next year, what could I possibly chose as suitable music for the Enterprise's participation?

And then it came to me. Perfect!!

Next year! Oh yeah!

Thanks again to all for a wonderful night and, hopefully, we'll be spending more time with these new friends actually sailing the boat. And, also thanks to Power Fleet Captain Vince (Why did his name have to be Vince?) for the encouragement to get involved at the club event and in the parade.