The Patriot State remains moored at Fort Rodman, Panama. The weather remains unchanged. Temperatures mid 80's - with high humidity and light northerly winds. While the skies have not completely cleared, we are beginning to catch a ray of sunshine breaking through.

Captain's Log:

On Monday morning the ship received word that Commander Robert Strautman had passed away at the local hospital from heart failure. The news cast a pall over the ship, and clearly dampened the spirits of all on board.

For me personally, it was a terrible loss. Bob Strautman was a friend and shipmate of mine for almost a quarter-of-a-century. I first met Bob when he arrived at Massachusetts Maritime Academy in 1973, my junior year at the school. He became, over time, like a brother to me.

During his 24 years at Massachusetts Maritime Bob held a number of different positions - Deck Faculty, Chief Mate of the Bay State Training Ship, Chairman of the Marine Transportation Department, and Cruise Deck Training Coordinator. Bob performed each of the aforementioned positions with a passion that would characterize his relationship with the school over the years.

Understand, that Bob Strautman was a man who, to use a well worn cliche, "Bled MMA blue-and-gold."He dedicated himself to the thousands of cadets he had responsibility for during his career at the academy. Always giving of his time and knowledge for any eager cadet willing to learn.

Bob had few passions beyond the academy - his family first, of course, the cadets of MMA, and the sea. We will never be able to replace, Bob Strautman, we can only hope that his devotion and dedication to MMA will be passed on to those of us who had the privilege to work and learn from him.

Of course, while everyone was impacted by the loss of Commander Strautman, life on the ship must continue. The business of our daily routine goes on . For instance - section #1 and #2 are on liberty in Panama City, while section #3 remains on board attending to the business of the ship.

A couple of interesting side notes to our voyage: The pilots for a canal transit were both graduates of the academy, Richard Morrissey 66 and Rolando Jurado 78. They were accompanied by the Panama Canal Commission, which is responsible for guiding ships through the canal.