Wednesday, 20 January 1999
As of 0800 this morning, the Empire State was located at 17 degrees 53 minutes North latitude, 065 degrees 51 minutes West longitude. That puts her approximately 8 nautical miles southeast of Guayama, Puerto Rico. She is heading 058 degrees true (ENE), doing 12 knots. The depth of water under the keel is 1940 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 81 degrees F. Barometric pressure 1017 millibars.
CAPTAIN'S LOG:
"This morning we will be slowing to allow students studying marine sciences to collect water samples. The samples will be used to determine the temperature and salinity of the sea water and allow cadets to examine marine organisms that live in the water column. This type of practical oceanography appeals to almost all cadets aboard. Certainly the cadets that intend to major in Marine Safety and Environmental Protection (MSEP) love this kind of study but all sailors seem to have an interest in the mysteries of the deep. All of the 4/C (first year) cadets spend at least one week of the sea term studying the chemistry and biology of the sea around them. Although the Maritime Academy is known for top notch Deck and Engineering officers, some of the 4/C cadets like ocean studies so much they choose to major in MSEP.
The MSEP department is one of the smallest departments on board - a mere six persons- all highly educated professors with the status of "officers" aboard ship. Most are full time professors at MMA. Dr. Malcolm MacGregor from Plymouth, MA heads the department. A faculty member at the Academy for almost 20 years, he is well known in Plymouth for his work on conservation matters. Other department members aboard include: Dr. Robert O'Leary from Cummiquid, one of the Cape's County Commissioners and Dr. "CJ" O'Donnell from Marston Mills.
In addition to freshmen who study the basics of oceanography, a Junior or Senior MSEP cadet may register for sea term, find a mentor, and complete an independent study in an approved topic related to the major. On this trip students are working on hazardous material stowage and handling, waste stream analysis, and work related safety issues. Sophomores, Juniors or Seniors may also take a Marine Industrial Safety course that includes over 120 hours of classroom and lab time and focuses on keeping people safe while on the job. For students who can't seem to chose between the MSEP major and the Marine Transportation major ("Deck") we offer an opportunity to do both. The MSEP program has been slowly merged into the full function of the ship over the past four or five years. Now it's hard to imagine going on a voyage without the Environmental cadets and their professors."
Life aboard ship is not all work. People are always looking for entertainment or diversions to pass the time and the Cadets and Crew of the Empire State are no exception. Some prefer the quiet contemplation of the beautiful sights and sounds of the sea around us. Yesterday a pod of dolphins circled the ship, frolicking in the wake and surfing on the bow wave. Their playful antics immediately drew a crowd. Even the intermittent rain showers are a delight: they bring cool breezes and a rainbow. For the people who crave more activity, we run a wide variety of games and contests, from Bingo every Wednesday night to the annual "Cheesy mustache" contest where the women in the Freshman class judge those Seniors who have opted to "try their lip" at the 1/C privilege of facial hair. The winner of that contest gets $50, but when you figure out how much "razzing" he gets for the rest of the voyage, I'm not sure it is a good deal.
One thing you can count on whenever you get a number of young people together; they will have opinions, and our Cadets are not afraid to express them. The following are answers to the question; "What did you like about Cuba?".
- "The beach was great!" 4/C Scott Sadler, from Warwick, RI
- "The Iguanas." 4/C Lindsey Sikora from Tavernier, FL
- "The beach and the snorkeling." 4/C Robert Ward from Dover, NJ
- "The wild chickens crossing the road!" 1/C David Stanton from Syracuse, NY
When cadets were asked what they missed most after 10 days away from home port they replied:
- "My girlfriend Robin and my hair." 1/C Andrew Smith from Marblehead, MA
- "X-Files" Nicole Brooks from Melrose, MA
- "Home, Kim, civilians, the Simpsons, and Mom" 1/C Jon Levis from Canton, MA
- "Mrs Levis' homemade cookies (supply is dwindling, demand is high, please send more!!!!) the entire Senior Class.