My thanks to John Prins, one of our Security officers, at present on leave, who pointed out to me today that you were unable to post any comments.  After what seemed like hours, my conversation with the Tech guy which ‘hosts’ the site came to naught, in frustration I have disabled a plug-in whch seemed to be causing the problem; do let me know, (hopefully 😉 ) if all is well again.  If I do not see comments (and I know you write frequently), then I will assume the worst and try another solution, (at time of writing, unknown).

As the subject-line suggests, we are on our way from Ketchikan towards Victoria, always a mad dash to make this part of the schedule and make a call in this  port. The purpose of doing so, (apart from the fact that it is the most beautiful city and a superb port-of-call), is to adhere to the ‘Jones Act’  This is actually called the Merchant Marine Act of 1920 and is one of several coastwise laws  which prohibits the transportation of cargo between points in the U.S., either directly or via a foreign port, or for any part of the transportation, in any vessel other than a vessel that has a coastwise endorsement, i.e. a vessel that is built in and owned by persons who are citizens of the United States.  The Passenger Vessels Services Act places the same restrictuions on the coastwise movement of people (us). It is this act that prohibits commercial vessels such as cruise ships from allowing passengers to board at one US port and debark at another US port.

Thus we call in Canada, and enter the U.S. from a ‘foreign’ port.  If one cruises From San Diego to say, Hawaii and then back, this would be a contravention of the Act; therefore ships call at a call in Mexico, (Ensenada usually) before docking again in San Diego…..

OK, that’s the educational lesson for today  😆

Tracy Arm, our assigned assignation, was blocked this week. Large bergs were plentiful and ice reports further into the Arm, (from smaller tour boats), indicated it would be impassable for us.  I therefore decided to go into Endicott Arm, equally scenic, though with less ice.  On our way there, in the Frederick Sound, we were treated to numerous sightings of humpback whales, having migrtaed from Hawaii they are now making the most of the bountiful ‘feed’

 

Thence onwards towards Juneau, a short stay; having docked at 6 a.m. we stayed until 2 p.m.

 

An overrnight dash to Ketchikan, (one becomes nocturnal in Alaska, going back into my coffin at daybreak  🙄 ).  Retracing our route of the day before, we pass through the same ‘whale’ area, this time on a lovely evening, the sun low on the horizon giving a glow to the westward mountains.

Our route takes down Chatham Strait, into Sumner Strait having passed Cape Decison; thence into Clarence Strait and finally, Tongass Narrows, on which Ketchikan lies.

Now we’re in the Hecate Straits, with the intention of being off Victoria BC at 5:15 tomorrow evening; thence Seattle again and up north once more.  It’s good to be back…………..