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Where In The World Can You Get A Ride On A Tugboat?
It’s easy to guess. Here in Veracruz, once a…
year, locals and tourists crowd the decks of the port’s tugs and participate in the Water Parade.
It’s a Carnaval event. The queen and her court ride high on the lead tug, and us commoners follow behind.
Harbor tour boats also join in the parade and carry full loads of passengers. The harbor patrol and small Navy PT boats also float along. Sometimes a fisherman or two slip into the procession.
The parade route is a tour of the harbor. It’s about a 45 minute ride. The music is loud and it’s okay to dance on the deck.
If Timmy the Tugboat was one of your childhood friends, and you want to get inside the pilot house and down in the engine room, you’ve got a little work to do. During your 45 minutes you’ll want to talk with a friendly crew member—they love to talk.
He’ll introduce you to the tugboat captain, and that’s your big moment. “Any chance I can have a closer look?” is as good a line as any. The pilot house is great, and the engine room is even better.
“Any chance I can have a closer look?” worked for a couple of us from the school last year. We’ll be trying it again in a few days.
Eric Langner February 3, 2007 11:13 PM