As of 0800 today, the Patriot State was at 33 degrees 04 minutes, north latitude, 074 degrees 20 minutes, west longitude, steering a course of 048 degrees true at a speed of 11 knots. We were approximately 300 miles east of Charleston, South Carolina. The wind was out of the west, southwest at 4 knots. The seas were moderate with swells of 10 feet. The air temp was 74 degrees under clear skies with visibility at 10 nautical miles. Seawater temperature was 78 degrees. Depth of water beneath the keel was 2390 fathoms.

Captain's Log:

We seem to have a wee bit of Irish luck when it comes to the weather. I reduced speed and the strong northerly moving low pressure areas, now bearing down on New England, rapidly passed over us. Consequently, we are currently enjoying fresh westerly breezes that are slowly flattening the steep, southeasterly swell. Since swell size and comfort level are inversely proportional, we are obviously, happy with the reduced swell.

The improved ride is welcomed by all aboard, particularly the galley staff. Cooking with one hand while hanging on with the other is brutal and there is no option for them. There is no "sending out for pizza" when it's rough. Although the "rock and roll" lasted only 36 hours, the less experienced mariners were beginning to look a little haggard. Now, we are wondering what weather lies just beyond the western horizon? I may choose to increase speed and try to ride this nice weather right into Cape Cod Bay.

We will conduct the last of our Marine Safety Environmental Protection (MSEP) slowdowns, this afternoon. Slowing the ship permits the freshman cadets studying basic oceanography to collect water samples and complete temperature and density studies on them. Then, late tonight, our independent study MSEP cadets will conduct analyses of the cold water eddy which extends from the Gulf Stream to just southeast of Cape Hatteras. Eddies are large areas of water in which the current flows contrary to the main flow, often in circular patterns. Satellites or instrumented buoys are normally used to gather data about them. We use the processed information to compliment voyage planning calculations. Avoiding counter currents increases transit speeds, prevents unnecessary delays, and conserves costly fuel.

The clear skies and bright stars, early this morning, motivated a number of procrastinating "Deckies" to jump from the rack at 0400 and shoot the stars necessary to complete their celestial navigation projects. That is good news as we are rapidly running out of "quality star time". The nicer weather also compliments the academic schedule as Final Exams begin, today. Senior Engineers are first up. Their plate exams begin tonight and good weather can't hurt.