(Photo by David Hutchinson)

After boarding their landlubbing vessel Moby Duck, the Seafair Pirates sailed away down Alki Avenue after a lively hour on the beach this afternoon. Though the landing is a decades-old tradition, some elements were new, including the mayor who surrendered the key to the city – Katie Wilson turned it over (while suggesting that came at a price – “You have to solve all the. city’s problems now!”)

The Pirates arrived in two groups, starting just after 1:30 pm.

(PHOTOS FROM HERE ARE BY OLIVER HAMLIN FOR WSB)

ADDED 6:07 PM: A sizable crowd greeted the Pirates as they arrived in two groups aboard a small boat launched from the tug Island Chief:

Once ashore, it was face to face with fans of all ages, both delighted and frightened:

Some years, Seafair’s King Neptune attempts to fight off the invaders – this year, the meeting was all smiles:

(That’s former Seahawk Sidney Rice wearing the crown this year.) Others sought prized photo ops:

Wielding everything from swords to tridents, the Pirates made their way through the crowd to Moby Duck’s berth along Alki Avenue, from which they continued to offer souvenirs – some handed over, some tossed – to fans:

That’s when they went face to face with Mayor Wilson to get a souvenir of their own, the aforementioned key to the city:

Davy Jones and Captain Kidd were knighted by the Seafair royals, too, including Queen Alcyone (Bookda Gheisar):

A pirate song ensued (sorry, no video). Then, just after 2:30, one hour after they’d stormed the beach, the Pirates sailed off, bound for other shores:

The Pirates will be back in West Seattle three weeks from today for the West Seattle Grand Parade (11 am Saturday, July 18). And Seafair’s summer season has only just begun – see the full list of events, including the July 31-August 2 airshow and hydros, by going here.