THE HARBOR COLUMN:

I know that you have been waiting for my annual New Year’s Captain’s Log — past to future, and I wish everyone a Happy New Year!

Captain’s Log:

Time: 0001 uniform time. Date: Jan. 1, 2009.

The twin radars aboard the mega yacht I am skippering show that we are all alone tonight on the ocean as we cruise back to the harbor on our final leg of a long voyage.

Just a sliver of moon reflected off the ocean when, all of the sudden, out of nowhere a nameless ghostly ship sides in on a very close parallel course.

I step out on the bridge wing where I can faintly see the New Year’s celebrations onboard the dark, shadowy ship.

It looks like a reflection of New Year’s past aboard an ancient wooden Brigantine.

I see the captain trying to steer the large wooden wheel as he fights each pass swell while watching a crude compass and reading hand drawn charts that resemble worn treasure maps.

Also, I can see the crew cheering in the new year with mugs of rum being poured from barrels while someone is playing a fiddle.

Oops, I almost bumped the side of the ship.

I correct my course and check my electronics.

Once again, I glance over to the ghost ship where now I can see what looks like the reflection of new year’s future with a modern yacht that has the five-star accommodations.

The captain is using virtual 3D displays to control the boat, plus the display for systems, communication, charts, radar and much more are floating in the air.

In lieu of the fiddle for entertainment, the crew is listening to the Boathouse Radio Show on satellite radio.

Then I am suddenly awakened when I hear the beeping alarm of the GPS chart plotter warning that we are nearing the entrance buoy. I glance from the bridge’s soft leather couch to see my first officer standing his watch.

As I rise to take the conns to enter the harbor, I wonder was it all a dream?

I cannot stop thinking about that nameless ship with the past to future as I steer the yacht in the harbor to our slip.

Finally, our yacht is secured in her home slip.

End Captain’s Log.

Remember to tune in every Saturday at 11 a.m. to “Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show” broadcasting from our studios inside Angel Stadium on KLAA-AM (830).

Safe voyages.

MIKE WHITEHEAD is the Pilot’s boating columnist. Send marine-related thoughts and story suggestions to [email protected] or go to www.boathousetv.com.