Grand marshal, Bill Pierpoint, an American from Southern California, is honoured about being a part of Bermuda Underwater Exploration Institute's (BUEI) Christmas Boat Parade! "This visit to Bermuda will be our first and we are very excited to be coming,'' he said.

Norma Thomson, Parade Committee founder and secretary, contacted Mr. Pierpoint about information on how they run their boat parades and he sent her their rules, and information about judging and decorations.

"My history with boating began with my experience as an officer in the US Navy on a destroyer operating in the Pacific during the start-up of the Viet Nam war.

After the war he chose something much quieter like sail boats, wind sailers and small motor boats in the Newport Beach waters.

A true water bug, Mr. Pierpoint lives on Balboa Island, California connected to the mainland by a bridge or a three car ferry.

He has a business forms business and is married to Linda and they have two grown children and two grandchildren.

Grand Marshal, Bill Pierpoint, has organized many boat parades.