Coming into a marina with rough seas and 45-50 knots winds from behind, trying to steer through a narrow breakwater to make it safely into a marina is a challenge for sure. But both the skipper of De Koopmans Frisian 46 named Sirion, and the Jeanneau Sun Fizz named French Flower, demonstrated great seamanship. While surfing the waves they both kept the speed up to maintain maximum rudder and boat control. Coming into the channel they both almost hit the breakwater on the starboard side, but managed to steer away from it to avoid a collision. Not only do you need good seamanship in this kind of situation, you also need the confidence to pull this off. Confidence only comes with experience, and these skippers prove they have it all, and truly belong on the water. Very well done! Definitely Dutch flag. Sorry, I might be biased a bit :). People not familiar with the local situation at this Vlieland (The Netherlands) marina should be aware of very strong tidal currents, funneling of the wind around the high dunes, and a very narrow entrance between the breakwaters to this busy little Dutch marina.
