As of 0800 today, the Patriot State was located at 22 degrees 04 minutes north latitude and 074 degrees 42 minutes west longitude.She is on a course of 191 degrees and a speed of 16 knots. The weather is mostly clear with an air temperature of 80 degrees F and a sea water temperature of 78 degrees F. Wind is out of the east northeast at 3 knots. Sea state is moderate. Depth of water under the keel - 2000 fathoms. Vessel motion: 'rolling comfortably.'

Captain's Log:

Shortly before eleven last night the Patriot State passed San Salvador...the first stop on Christopher Columbus's famous journey to discover the 'New World.' We are currently heading past the west side of Crooked Island, on our way to the Winward Passage. Columbus followed the same course and ended up discovering - Hispanola, now the countries of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.

In an effort to avoid a weather system that is producing some heavy rain and winds, we are running the engines at a higher speed. This has put us ahead of schedule. Once we move through the Winward Passage we will reduce our speed to 12 knots...which will put us on schedule to arrive in Panama at six a.m. Sunday morning.

As we left the open sea and entered the more restricted waters of the Caribbean Island chains... the cadet candidates aboard became acutely aware of their increasing navigational responsibilities. As an example - cadets are required to fix the ships navigational position more frequently, and the have the opportunity to practice restricted water piloting skills.

One of the most critical duties a cadet performs during his time at sea is a 'watch shift.' Quite simply, while on watch a cadet can be responsible for the following - the wheel of the ship, the quartermaster duties, navigator of the watch, radar operator, or the cadet officer of the deck. The latter position makes that cadet responsible for all of the ships deck watch stations. A daunting responsibility...and one the cadets do not take lightly. By the way, the watch shift traditionally conforms to a four-hour on/eight-hour off rotation.

Meanwhile, our engineering cadets are also responsible for a watch shift...just like their 'decky' shipmates. Our engineers are responsible for keeping the Patriot State running. The engineering watch section, which includes the cadet engineering officer of the watch, switchboard watch, and evaporator watch, among others. They produce electricity, make water, treat sewage, and of course - 'keep the shaft turning.'