The Captains of all 15 HAL ships at Nieuw Amsterdam Dedication
Captains of 15 Holland America ships arrived to the Nieuw Amsterdam today by Flotilla. They rose on a platform from below the stage at the beginning of the dedication cermemony. The first time all the Captains have been together at such a ceremony.
Their counterparts. Like Captain van Donselaar is on the Eurodam; Captain Scott is on the Noordam & Captain Schoonderbeek is on the Prinsendam, so that's who was "driving" those ships
Captain Mateboer (Noordam), Captain Mercer (Eurodam), Captain Gunderson (Prinsendam) were at the ceremonies.
I couldn't hear the names of most of the Captains very well as they were introduced even though I had my speakers turned as high as I could get them, but I did hear some of them.
Well a lot of XO's , 2nd in Command getting their feet wet (whoops ,, dry)
I did get my email from HA to join the Web View dedication but 9am EST was 6am PST for me so slept in.
__________________ Rob Next Cruise: History: Celebrity Infinity-1, Dawn Princess-1, Sea Princess-2, Golden Princess-2, HA Maasdam-1, SS Cavina-1 Web site: http://robbarcruises.wordpress.com/
Every ship has two Captains and there is at least one 'float' Captain who goes where/when requested. Captain Jack retired a year or so ago but still sails ships when needed. Each ship has to have two Captains to rotate on and off for vacations. The usual pattern is three months aboard followed by three months off.
The Captains who were at the Dedication today are:
Captain Kees Deelstra, representing Statendam
Captain Andre van Schoonhoven, representing Maasdam
Captain Mark Rowden, representing Ryndam
Captain Peter Jan van Maurik, representing Veendam
Captain Sijbe de Boer, representing Rotterdam
Captain Pieter Visser, representing Volendam
Captain Henk Keijer, representing Zaandam
Captain Olav van der Waard, representing Amsterdam
Captain Halle Thon Gundersen, representing Prinsendam
Captain Chris Turner, representing Zuiderdam
Captain Jeroen Baaijens, representing Oosterdam
Captain Peter Harris, representing Westerdam
Captain Hans Mateboer, representing Noordam
Captain Jonathan Mercer, representing Eurodam
Catain Edward van Zaane, representing Nieuw Amsterdam
I thought it very effective having them arrive on their launches, each accompanied by a sailor and then appear on the elevated lift to the stage. They all looked so 'smart'. Very well done, IMO
Thanks Sail7,
Quite different to the Naval method.
__________________ Rob Next Cruise: History: Celebrity Infinity-1, Dawn Princess-1, Sea Princess-2, Golden Princess-2, HA Maasdam-1, SS Cavina-1 Web site: http://robbarcruises.wordpress.com/
Each of HAL's Ship Dedications/Namings take on a different highlight or two. This is the first time they brought Captains from the whole fleet to the new ship.
I believe it was Oosterdam that was Dedicated in Rotterdam and another of HAL's ships was docked bow to bow with her. They had a cable from one ship to the other on which they 'launched' the champagne bottle to strike Oosterdam's hull.
Eurodam's Dedication about 2 years ago was held in Rotterdam, as well, and was outside on the dock rather than in the show lounge as was done for Nieuw Amsterdam.
All the Captains weren't at the ceremony - only 1/2 of them. See my post of July 4th. If you really want me to post the names of the Captains who were not at the ceremony and were manning the other ships, I'll do it when I have the time.
It is also pertinent to note, IMO, that the Chief Officers on HAL ships have Master's license. They are second in command and should a captain become ill or incapacitated while at sea, the Chief Officer steps in. Chief Officers have a great many responsibilities many of us automatically assign to Captain.
Many of the Chief Engineers also have Master's license..... I was really interested to have just learned this not that long ago.
Among the Captains who did not attend the Dedication in Venice are Captain Adrianus van der Loo, Captain Henk Draper, Captain Frans Consen, Captain James Russell-Dunford, Captain Peter Bos, Captain Jan Smit, Captain John Scott, Captain Werner Timmers .... off the top of my head, that is all I can think of at the moment.
There are any number of reasons why they weren't there including being on their well earned vacation, being needed on their ships and unable to leave at that time, family committments etc
I didn't note the names of the Captain's present, because the introductions went by quickly, and I was also trying to film.
But, each ship does indeed have two qualified ship's Captains (one the Captain; the second the first officer), and each ship was represented by one of her "Captains".
Just to be precise (I know, picky picky picky ), HAL has Chief Officer as second in command. Other lines have other titles such as Staff Captain that HAL does not use in their chain of command.
I, also, had my computer sound cranked fully up and had trouble hearing.
I really loved the flotilla and having the Captains raised to the stage. I thought it outstanding.
Among the Captains who did not attend the Dedication in Venice are Captain Adrianus van der Loo, Captain Henk Draper, Captain Frans Consen, Captain James Russell-Dunford, Captain Peter Bos, Captain Jan Smit, Captain John Scott, Captain Werner Timmers .... off the top of my head, that is all I can think of at the moment.
I thought of a couple more,
Captain Henk Krombeen, Captain Fred Eversen, Captain Vincent Smit.
Fred must be off riding his motorcycle somewhere??
That brings us to 12 Captains (in addition to those present at the Dedication) but excluding Captain Jack.
I am unfamiliar with Captain David Bowland.... is he still with HAL?
Yes he is. I believe that he will be sharing duties on the Eurodam with Captain van Donselaar and Captain Mercer will be going to the Nieuw Amsterdam.
Captain Darin (not David) Bowland is a Canadian from St. Andrews New Brunswick - an absolutely gorgeous part of the East Coast.
From the HAL BLOG:
I wanted to take this opportunity to welcome on board and introduce to you Eurodam’s next master — Captain Darin Bowland. Captain Bowland was previously on the Zuiderdam and Westerdam. He started his seafaring career as a naval cadet with the Royal Canadian Navy. He joined the cruise industry in 1995 as second officer and came to Holland America Line in 2007. When not at sea Captain Bowland lives in St. Andrews, New Brunswick, Canada, at his seaside home with his wife and two children.
Can anyone tell me who the captains are on the 3 ships
Zaandam
Rotterdam
Oosterdam
I was aon a sailing a few years ago and liked the captain but couldnt remember his name. Would like to join the same ship if possible.
Thanks!
That's kind of a hard one to answer if you don't know the name of the Captain. How long ago were you on HAL? Maybe the Captain has retired if it was a few years ago.
Right now they are
Zaandam - Captain van Schoonhoven - wouldn't have been him as he has just been a Captain for the last year or two.
Oosterdam - Captain van der Loo
Rotterdam - Captain Kan - he is new as far as I know - I've never heard of him.
The Captains are only on for about 3 months and sometimes they move from ship to ship.
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The Captains of all 15 HAL ships at Nieuw Amsterdam Dedication
Rob
Let's see, if all the Captain's were at this ceremony, then who is maning the other ships?????
), HAL has Chief Officer as second in command. Other lines have other titles such as Staff Captain that HAL does not use in their chain of command.
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