The pattern of very busy days for the officers, crew and cadets of the Empire State continues. Yesterday, trailer trucks lined up along the pier, waiting to disgorge their cargoes of food. Cadets were passing cases of frozen meat hand to hand for hours, standing in sub-freezing temperatures as the food for 550 people for 50 days was brought aboard the ship and stowed below decks in the lockers. The only break from the routine was when the ship's whistle blast sounded the call to lifeboat stations for the practice abandon ship drill. Then ,the cadets , crew, and officers stood in the bitter cold under the bright orange lifeboats as every single person was counted or accounted for. Emergency duties were reviewed and practiced as the ship's whistle boomed out the signals for "Man Overboard" , "Fire" and "Abandon Ship". When the three short blasts that signified the end of the drills split the cold Cape Cod air, everyone returned to their loading duties.
Today, the men and women of the Empire State awoke to a coating of snow as they went to breakfast and then reported to morning formation. Cold weather again was their constant companion. Soon the campus had the look of a religious shrine as faithful pilgrims carried parcels, boxes and suitcases from buildings, cars and trucks to what has become their Mecca : the ship. Not only do we have to load food and personal gear, the training officers have to strip out tons of equipment from Patriot State and move it over to the Empire State. In addition, the all important gym equipment has to be transferred from the deep cargo holds of Patriot State to the gym on the new ship. After all, it can't be all work and no play while underway on the seaterm.
By the time the Empire State sails with her precious cargo of 450 cadets this Saturday at 1507 (3:07 pm), you can bet that everyone aboard will be looking forward to the warm tropical weather that awaits them in the Gulf Stream.