As of 0800 this morning Patriot State was located at 9 degrees 22 minutes north latitude, 079 degrees 56 minutes west longitude. Anchored in 40 feet of water at Punta Manzanillo, Panama

Captain's Log:

You are probably wondering why is the ship at anchor? I thought that she was well out to sea, heading for Lee Stocking Island. Well, we were. However, at 1430 yesterday afternoon, the ship's Doctor reported that one of our Cadets presented in sickbay exhibiting symptoms consistent with influenza. However, the Doctor indicated his physical examination revealed signs of potentially more serious neurological involvement... which should be ruled out. Patriot State is well equipped to deal with most traumatic emergencies, and the routine medical needs of all aboard, but obviously she does not have the sophisticated diagnostic tools readily available at hospitals. Given the facts, we reversed course, increased speed to 16.7 knots and returned to Panama. We arrived at the Cristobal Break water at shortly before 2300 and anchored. The cadet was transported to Panama City in the company of Jose Palermo, one of our own cadets who lives in Panama. The parents of the sick cadet have been notified and his prognosis for a full recovery is excellent.

We are planning to depart at 1600 today. This detour may necessitate schedule changes down stream. However, it will not change our arrival time in Fort Lauderdale.

While we were at anchor last night the mid-watch had a little unexpected excitement. At about two thirty in the morning, the Starboard Lookout saw a shady looking boat without running lights, paralleling us and just beyond range of our deck lights. (Interestingly enough, the Bow Watch had just asked for permission to secure the watch since the ship was at anchor and not moving. The Mate of the Watch replied, "Stand fast, sometimes thieves board ships by climbing up the anchor chain"). The suspicious looking boat maneuvered closer, completely unaware that this typical looking merchant ship had 20 bright eyed cadets on station, watching its every move. Radio communications between our deck watch standers, dropped to a whisper as the small boat moved beneath the overhanging hull of the ship. Thinking that they were hidden from the Bridge Lookout, the "Pirates" as they were now being called by the cadets, placed a ladder up the Patriot State's anchor chain. To their surprise, the Quartermaster of the Watch sounded the ship's bell 6 times at that exact moment, announcing the hour (0300). The "Pirates," were evidently quite surprised and quickly stowed the ladder and pulled away. They continued to slowly circle the ship, remaining in the shadows. The Mate of the Watch ended the little drama when he illuminated the would be boarders with the ship's high-powered searchlights. Caught in the blinding beam, the "Pirates" quickly raised their arms in either surrender or protest. They did somewhat resemble errant defensive backs protesting their innocence to the referee. Discretion being the better part of valor ...the "pirates" beat a hasty retreat into the darkness.