First "busy, but manageable" day of SAIL Amsterdam had "excellent" atmosphere

The first day of SAIL Amsterdam was “busy, but manageable,” and the atmosphere was “excellent,” the organizers said. “People were in good spirits, both on the water and on the quay.”

The nautical event started Wednesday morning with the SAIL-In parade, featuring a procession of tall ships, historic vessels, and numerous pleasure boats sailing towards Amsterdam. The last boats arrived at around 6:00 p.m., and the parade concluded with a salute from the air force. Four fighter jets and three attack helicopters flew over the IJhaven. At that moment, King Willem-Alexander also took a short tour on the Groene Draeck, his mother’s sailing ship.

The King arrived in the IJhaven on the Groene Draeck at around 5:50 p.m., surrounded by police boats and police on jet skis. His visit had not been publicized in advance. The King was at the helm, wearing a SAIL cap and shirt. Princess Mabel was also on board.

The Clipper Stat Amsterdam led the parade and arrived first in Amsterdam just before 2:30 p.m. A gun salute from the head of the Sixhaven welcomed the three-master, carrying Mayor Femke Halsema, Prince Maurits, and Princess Marilène, among others. The Wilhelmus, the Dutch national anthem, was played, and red, white, and blue smoke was released.

“The ships, crews, and visitors from all over the world experienced a SAIL-In parade for the first time in 10 years,” the organizers said. SAIL takes place every five years, but due to the coronavirus pandemic, the previous edition in 2020 had to be canceled.

The organizers expect approximately 2.4 million visitors over the next five days.

Amsterdam honors SAIL volunteers

Four volunteers involved in organizing SAIL Amsterdam received an award from the city on Wednesday. “They made an indispensable contribution to the organization of the event for several editions of SAIL Amsterdam,” the municipalities said. The four volunteers are Arie Jan de Waard, Marjolein Jansen, Bert Aben, and Bart Parmet. They received the Andreas Medal from Deputy Mayor Hester van Buren.

The Andreas Medal is awarded to “individuals who have made significant contributions to Amsterdam in the social, cultural, community, or economic field, with a national impact, and to individuals who have volunteered for a social cause for at least ten years.”