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Bundled up against the cold, more than 120 parents and children waited at dusk along the Savannah River. As the sky darkened, a boat covered with golden lights moved toward the Hyatt Regency Savannah's dock.

Tyra Johnson, 4, tells Santa what she wants for Christmas during an appearance by Santa from the Sea Tuesday evening on River Street. Stephen Berend/Savannah Morning News -

"We want Santa! We want Santa!" parents and children shouted as they saw the boat's cargo: seven sparkling reindeer and, behind them, Santa Claus.

But this wasn't your average Santa.

As created by Savannah High graduate and Augusta businessman Steve H. Seymour, this was "Santa from the Sea."

Every Christmas for the past six years, Seymour has hoisted reindeer onto the bow of his 41-foot cruiser. He's donned a red suit and flowing white beard. And aided by his wife, Rita, and elfin volunteers, he's travelled from one Chatham County marina to the next, greeting children and giving out up to 700 presents a year.

Children and parents adore him.

"Even us big kids love Santa," said Carzadean Baker who brought 11-year-old Angelicia Solomon to meet Santa on Tuesday night.

Single mother Hope Minor watched as sons Deonte Webb, 5, Darrell Webb, 11, and DaQuan Webb, 12, climbed onto Santa's lap and accepted gifts.

Minor was grateful because "I was robbed last week. They took all the presents under the tree. So this is really great. And this gives new meaning to Christmas, not just snow and a sleigh, but a boat with Santa on it."

Santa and Mrs. Claus wave from their sleigh during a visit to the Hyatt Regency dock on Tuesday. Stephen Berend/Savannah Morning News -

On board the other day, he didn't look like the legendary Claus. Thinner and with short, white hair, he wore brown slacks, a beige turtleneck and an anchor pendant on a gold chain around his neck.

But Seymour had strong views on Santa. A department store one was "just a guy getting paid," he said. But Santa from the Sea and his volunteer "elves" – a mix of teachers, boaters and more – charged nothing to solicit and wrap gifts, offer refreshments and help needy children.

Seymour's nautical St. Nick began in 1997 after he and his wife met a Wesley Community Centers volunteer on Tybee Island. (The nonprofit helps women, children and men with families, some homeless.)

Since then, Santa from the Sea's commitments have grown. From Dec. 9 through today, he planned visits to five marinas or docks and hoped to meet 400 children, many from agencies such as the Union Mission. Santa gives each child a wrapped gift, a T-shirt and a hug.

At the Hyatt on Tuesday, Santa from the Sea didn't tire as, one at a time, he placed 150 children on his lap.

"Ho! Ho! Ho!" he roared, then headed for his boat trip home "to the North Pole." He left happy children in his wake.

"He's good," said Melissa Williams, 10. "He brings the happiness out at Christmas."