Our first call into Astoria recently was a very pleasant surprise on many levels. Obviously, having captained the Serenade from her birth, I have been through numerous plaque and key ceremonies. But I have never felt so genuinely welcomed in any of the previous ports as I did in Astoria.

On this note, I will tell you what my older brother told me (now retired from Hoegh Lines) that he had never met friendlier people than in Oregon and his dream is to go back there for a vacation. And now I know why.

We definitely look forward to our next visit. Also, please convey my compliments to the following excellent bar pilots: Capt. John Torjusen, Capt. George Waer and Capt. Mike Tierny – very professional friendly and clearly capable mariners.

Again, as a comparison, we meet a lot of cocky/rude people and I am sad to say not very professional pilots on our travels. But my hat is off to the Columbia River Bar Pilots. Just one request: In my collection back home (on my bragging wall) I do have a “Honorary Panama Canal Pilots Certificate.” Do they issue something like that for the Columbia Bar? Needless to say I would love to have one, if they do.

Again thanks for a great visit and as a senior captain with the company, you have got yourself a dedicated lobbyist for your port.

Capt. Stig B. Nilsen

Master, GTV Serenade of the Seas

At sea