From the Boathouse: Time for my Christmas poem

Ahoy.

The Christmas boat parades have finished for another season, and the only parade that I can see on my radar is for Friday. The Northwest’s traditional parade is the Christmas Ship Festival and the route takes the vessels past 45 waterfront communities on Lake Washington and the Puget Sound.

The Pacific Ocean is rough this week, so I would not recommend that you sail uphill with your boat. I do recommend that you check the parade route if you happen to be in the area as it is a nice parade to watch from shore.

Now, it is that time of year again: my annual Christmas tradition with my Christmas poem.

As I weigh anchor, I wish everyone a safe and happy holiday on the water:

‘Twas the Day Before Christmas Upon the Harbor

‘Twas the day before Christmas, and all through the harbor

You could see a few boats cruising on the water

And sea lions were hauled out on jetty’s rocks

With the harbor buoys bell clanging with each passing swell.

The fish were happy as no hooks were around

And the sea birds were dining, being fed by a shore crowd.

When all of sudden there arose such a clatter

The mermaids swam in to see what was the matter.

The sea lions dove into the water

And the boats sailed away from all the splatter.

When shore crowd looked out to see such a sight

But the birds just continued eating without a matter.

All of a sudden but who should appear

The King of the Sea bringing his own Christmas cheer.

He spoke not a word, but went straight to his work,

As King Neptune held up his scepter for all to see,

And out of the scepter came a lightning bolt so grand

It made a loud bang when it hit the land

And to everyone’s amazement as you looked around

Disappearing were all the storm drains that drained into his sea from the land.

His gift for Christmas was no more pollution into the harbor

But I heard him exclaim, when he swam out of sight

What starts at the drain, feeds the harbor when it rains

As always, just keep an eye to the weather for any changes. Please be boat smart and boat safe. Lastly, boat responsibly during the parades and look behind you before you turn the wheel at the helm.

Safe voyages.

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