It took a while, but the patience of the public on the dike of Den Helder was finally rewarded at a quarter past three this afternoon. The fact that De Sail In started about three hours later than planned did not spoil the fun.
The planning was that the first ships would be seen around noon. At one o’clock it was still pleasantly busy on the dike: people with dresses, food, drinks, large binoculars and telephoto lenses were ready to see the impressive ships sail by. One problem: nothing came. A Coast Guard ship made another frantic attempt to brighten things up by firing up its water cannon, but that didn’t really help.
Slowly but surely the atmosphere on the dike became more restless. “This is going to take a long time,” he said. And: “Then you sit for a few hours for nothing.” It is also shared on Facebook. For example, Ria van Veen writes: “Waiting for things to come. So nothing. Go home.”
Rain starting shot home
To make matters worse, it started to rain at three o’clock. That was the starting signal for many people to go home. The small group of people who had looked for a place further towards the harbor, or were sheltering near the ferry, still got their way: finally the tallships passed by.
The waiting was rewarded and the mood improved. It took a while, but it finally became clear why many people find Sail Den Helder a wonderful event: one ship after another entered the city’s harbour. High masts, a bowsprit, large flags and an exuberant crew. Despite the rain and the hazy weather at sea, people were still able to enjoy themselves for a while. The ships are now in the harbor, ready for the rest of the days.
“I think it’s impressive the way you see the ships coming in. That makes a big impression,” says an enthusiastic visitor.
This is also a special week for Arthur van Dijk, Commissioner of the King. The spectacle started for him yesterday during the Pre Sail, where he was allowed to read the Rede van Texel in Oudeschild.
“Sail is not just Den Helder, Sail is really something for this region. It’s not just about tall ships, it’s also about the future, technology, work for young people, training centers. In short: so much is happening here. I I actually hope that this event is really, really something that puts the head on the map,” said the King’s Commissioner.
On Friday, it is expected that with better weather, you can view the ships up close. They are then open to the public. There are also several stage performances planned.