Sail-by_salute
Sail-by salute
Bringing a ship close to shore to salute those on land
A sail-by salute (or near-shore salute) is a salute performed by bringing a ship close to shore to salute those on land. Often the salute is performed for a crewmember's family.[1] The practice dates back to ancient times. In Italy, massive ships regularly came very close to shorelines or jetties in the Mediterranean, including the island of Procida, off the Amalfi coast, and Sicily.[2]
Some US-based cruise lines have been reluctant to answer questions pertaining to the extent to which salutes are performed today. Passenger ship historian and writer Peter Knego says that salutes are still performed whether approved by cruise companies or not.[1]