As of 0800 today, the Patriot State was located at 12 degrees 16.9 minutes north latitude and 078 degrees 18.2 minutes west longitude ...steering a course of 209 degrees true at a speed of 13 knots with 3778 meters of water under the keel. The seas are out of the east with moderate six-foot swells. Skies are clear providing perfect visibility and the winds are easterly at 10 MPH. Air temperature is a balmy 80 degrees ...and the water temperature is 78 degrees.

Captain's Log:

Great news! We are running ahead of schedule thanks to the efforts of all aboard...with an assist from the North Equatorial Current. Incidentally, this current is the reason why the water level is higher on the Atlantic side of the canal than it is on the Pacific.

As you can imagine, the humidity is clearly getting our attention. The trade winds provide a constant flow of moist air...that in turn, provides the thick green canopy of the local rain forests.

Relief from the humid hammering is on the way, however. As the moisture drops from the air as it passes over land, it creates a dry wind in the Pacific. That means, of course, that in a few short days we will be provided with some 'humidity relief.'

I am quite proud of all our cadets, of course. However, I'd like to single out 2/C Craig Moran of Hopkinton, Ma. ...Cadet Moran has really performed exceptionally on engine maintenance. Among other accomplishments, he has built new 'med lights' for the ship...and in his spare time he serves as a voluteer in Sick Bay, offering up his EMT skills.

Both cadets and crew are eagerly awaiting our 0600 arrival tomorrow morning in Panama. The level of excitement is quite high, however, cadets have been kept busy conducting maneuvering drills involving the Bridge and Engine rooms, so they haven't had much free time to dwell on the 'canal.'