Thursday
Aug262010
SAIL 2010
August 26, 2010 * * * * * Posted by: Petra 
Last week Amsterdam hosted SAIL. SAIL is an event that takes place every 5 years and started in 1975 to celebrate Amsterdam’s 700th birthday. The main attraction of SAIL is an impressive fleet of Tall Ships, sailing heritage craft, modern ships, naval ships and replicas. It started on Thursday with the SAIL-IN Parade, where the participating tall ships and other important ships were welcomed according to a centuries-old tradition at the head of Sixhaven. All through the weekend there were all kinds of events on the water and on Monday the fleet departed again. I heard they were heading to Bremen, Germany for the next exhibition.
R was invited to visit SAIL on Friday and me and my camera were invited to come along and go for a sail past and among those ships. Although I am not that good with boats and sailing, I get seasick easily, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.
So friday at 7pm we boarded on a ship with about 40 others. We were welcomed by an all female crew and were going to sail on the IJ-river enjoying the view with lovely company, and delicious food and drink. We were lucky with the weather: sunny and dry all day.
I thought it was crowded with ships when we started the trip, but at a certain point the river narrowed and it was unbelievably crowded, and I mean unbelievably. I have never seen anything like it, you could cross the river by stepping from one boat onto another if you wanted to. All those different boats in different shapes and sizes. I would have been frightened in one of those small rubber speedboats manoeuvring around all those bigger boats trying not to be squeezed between them. But the mood was friendly and easy going so all went well.
As you can see on the picture, that is the IJ-river, can you imagine those people are all on boats?!
Half way onto the river the boat turned and we went back. Meanwhile the sun was setting and we had to go through that same narrow spot again. In the dark I thought the small boats were even less visible. One rubber boat clung onto our boat because his motor was failing. Our captain stopped the boat and waited for the man on the small boat to get his motor going. He took out his tools, took the hood of the engine and started repairing his engine, others shining a light on him. It took him about 40 minutes, but he got the engine going again, he thanked our captain and went off. Not being a boatperson I found this scene took place in such a patient, friendly and supportive manner. I was told that this is common boat etiquettes, but I was very impressed. I wish we had such etiquettes on the road as well.
Anyway, on our way back fireworks made our sightseeing trip complete and 11 o’clock we were back in the harbour, back in the car driving home, looking back on a trip very much worthwhile. On my photoblog I will be showing some more pictures of SAIL 2010 in the next few days.
Reader Comments (8)
I have nothing with boats myself, but I would like to visit this event for its people, just looking at them.
We have a similar event here in the Boston Harbor - when the tall ships come in. But never before have I seen such congested waterways. Exciting and fun...all at once!!!
Looking forward to seeing more pix over at your photoblog.
Sounds like a great time was had by all!!!!
YAAAY. We were there, too, Petra, Thursday in Ijmuiden when the ships sailed in, and Friday in Amsterdam. But we left by mid afternoon, so wouldn't have bumped into each other, even if we could have. I'll go over to your blog to see what you're posting. I've been doing it all week, too. So much fun. My deceased brother was at the NYC sail years ago (in 1976, I think) and was able to rent time on a helicopter to take pictures. If only! It really was worth the visit!
That type of event is completely unfamiliar to an in-lander like me. I think I would enjoy seeing the tall ships. The river congestion sounds like quite a mess. :) All-in-all it sounds like a fun day filled with a lot of wonderful and unique photo opportunities. I'll have to drop by your blog and check out some of your photos.
Sounds like a fantastic time, Petra. A sea of boats on a narrow river must have been a sight to behold. I don't think I would have missed the opportunity, either. What fun!!
I would have loved to see it. I love the sea and boats in any shape but sail boats are more elegant than motor boats :-)
Wow, looking at that photo it is amazing how many boats are crammed in there! Sounds like great fun, lots of camaraderie and good photo ops.
I am not a fan of the water, I will go on bigger boats but nothing too small, as I don't swim very well! But I love to watch the water, sailboats, tall ships...
over 5 jaar gaan ze water te kort komen.