Lighting the way

Paul Clinton

As the first vessels in the Newport Harbor Christmas Boat Parade

neared the end of the course at the mouth of the harbor, the Narwhal was

waiting.

The newly commissioned Coast Guard cutter, formally placed into

service on Nov. 2, anchored the south end of the parade route.

As it neared 8:30 p.m., the first cluster of boats drifted down the

harbor’s main channel and toward the Narwhal to encircle it as the final

turn in the parade.

The first, nearly two hours after the parade kicked off, was a yacht

draped in white-string lights arranged in the pattern of a Clipper ship’s

rigging. That ship was followed by another schooner, replete with colored

lights and an illuminated Santa Claus.

It was the Narwhal’s indoctrination to a parade that began in 1907 as

the Tournament of Lights. Coast Guard cutters have participated in the

parade -- many times as an entrant -- for as long as there are records,

Narwhal Commander Lt. John Kidwell said.

“It’s something the guys really like to do,” Kidwell said, as he stood

on his ship’s fore deck before the event. “It’s a tradition we want to

carry on.”

Last year, the cutter Point Stuart, retired from service in April,

participated in the parade. The Narwhal is stationed in Corona del Mar

for patrolling, drug interdiction and other duties.

The Narwhal took on lighter duties Monday, with the crew stringing

red, white and blue lights along the ship’s railings and in the rigging.

The 100 or so ships that participated in the parade, started off

Collins Island, buzzed by the Balboa Bay Club and headed up Newport

Channel to the Lido Isle Yacht Club. After crossing the harbor’s turn

basin, they entered Bay Isle Channel, ventured down to the Narwhal and

finished back at Collins Island.

The Narwhal was stationed at the harbor’s mouth, splitting the

distance between the jetties, as a way to monitor boat traffic headed in

and out.

“We can more readily see the comings and goings of all the boats,”

Kidwell said. “It allows us to keep a better eye on those who aren’t

participating in the parade.”

As the multicolored parade of creatively decorated boats headed toward

the Narwhal, crew members who have participated in past parades on the

Point Stuart said they enjoyed the tradition.

It’s a way to grab a taste of holiday cheer, Senior Chief Mike

Ackerlind said.

“It’s neat to go out and do this,” Ackerlind said. “It’s a nice way to

try and get into the Christmas spirit.”

* Paul Clinton covers the environment and John Wayne Airport. He may

be reached at (949) 764-4330 or by e-mail ato7

paul.clinton@latimes.comf7 .