Tuesday, 19 January 1999
As of 0800 this morning, the Empire State was located at 17 degrees 35 minutes North latitude, 070 degrees 18 minutes West longitude. That puts her approximately 39 nautical miles south of Los Salinas in the Dominican Republic. She is heading 074 degrees true (NNE), doing 10 knots. The depth of water under the keel is 4121 feet. The weather at her position is partly cloudy and raining, wind out of the East @ 13 kts, sea state 3 (4 foot), air temp 78 degrees F, water temp 83 degrees F. Barometric pressure 1018 millibars.
CAPTAIN'S LOG:
As we steam along the lower coast of Hispaniola we're dodging at least one rain squall every watch. Actually, we have a rule for the bridge watch -avoid rain during the day, get into it at night. We follow this practice to avoid disrupting the maintenance efforts out on deck . Chipping, painting, and machinery repair are hampered by rain storms. At night, when there is no work being conducted on deck, the fresh water efficiently rinses the accumulated salts from the ship. Nothing like a heavy downpour to spare the cadets this chore.
Today, I want to highlight the Engine Department, the second largest department on the ship, but it contains the most officers. Between the operational engineering section (the watch standers) and the teaching faculty, the department is manned by 25 persons: 23 officers and 2 crew. The Chief Engineer or "The Chief" as he is called, is in charge. He works hand and hand with the Engine Training Coordinator to establish staff watch supervisor and cadet manning assignments in the engine room. The Chief Engineer in in charge of all operational engineering - making sure that the main engines are running properly and that crucial maintenance is scheduled and performed as required. The Engine Training Coordinator schedules faculty teaching assignments, oversees the maintenance and repair labs, and closely monitors the engineering training curricula. Their responsibilities overlap in several critical areas.
Captain Bill Butler from Sagamore is our Chief Engineer. Our Engine Coordinator is Commander Brad Lima from Sandwich. We are very fortunate to have these extremely professional and highly experienced persons at the Academy. Other engineers who live in the local Cape Cod area include: Larry Jacobanis, Art Aldrich, and Bill Laffan, from Falmouth; Bob McMurray from Cotuit; Dick White from Sagamore, and Chip Hayden from Harwich. Additionally, we are privileged to have a number of excellent engineers aboard who work at the New York Maritime Academy in the Bronx. They were specifically retained because of their extensive experience aboard the Empire State.
The engineers keep everything running properly and they manage the production and distribution of nearly every modern convenience, including heat, lights, air conditioning, and running water. As an important aside, they also keep the propeller turning. Needless to say, I am very proud of them and the engine cadets. They do excellent work and their tireless dedication makes life aboard much easier for all.
Note: Yesterday, the ship's latitude was incorrectly reported as 18 degrees and 55 minutes North. The correct Latitude was 18 degrees and 05 minutes North.