THE HARBOR COLUMN:

The 99th annual Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade was one of the best I have seen in a decade, with just under 100 registered boats, but hundreds of boats actually on the water.

The Commodores Club of the Newport Beach Chamber of Commerce did a great job, and thanks to the chamber staff and all the volunteers for their countless hours.

Additionally, I want to thank all the boat parade sponsors, and especially KLAA-AM (830) for providing me with an hour of live radio airtime Saturday night.

I appreciate the e-mails and Christmas cards expressing how much you enjoyed the nightly announcing and the radio show during the parade from the Newport Harbor Nautical Museum.

Keep in mind that next year is the Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade’s centennial.

Here’s my annual Christmas poem, and as I weigh anchor, I want to wish everyone a Merry Christmas!

’Twas the Day Before Christmas Upon Ocean

’Twas the day before Christmas, and all through the ocean

You could see a few boats sailing on the water

And sea lions were resting on top of their buoys

And the bell was clanging with each passing swell.

The fish were happy as no hooks were around

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

When all of sudden there arose such a clatter

The mermaids swam up to see what was the matter.

The sea lions dove into the water and the boats sailed away from the splatter.

When shore crowd looked out to see such a sight

but the birds just continued eating their supper.

All of a sudden but what 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 lightening bolt so grand

it made a clap 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 polluted water

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

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

And Merry Christmas to all and to all a safe voyage.

Safe Voyages.

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