Sunday, 24 January 1999
As of 0800 this morning, the Empire State was moored at Bridgetown which is located in the south west quadrant of Barbados Island. The weather is wonderful. It is clear, a soft breeze is blowing out of the East @ 5 knots and the temperature is 80 degrees F. The water temperature remains a very warm, 82 degrees F. Barometric pressure is 1017 millibars, falling slightly.
CAPTAIN'S LOG:
The last two days have been great, with only a few Cadets facing the ramifications of an "Absence Over Leave" offense. That means that around 99% of the cadet population enjoyed the island and still managed to get back the ship on time. The ones who failed to plan properly will be performing "extra duty" between here and Aruba and they will lose at least one day off in that island. That may sound harsh but everyone who goes to sea must learn the discipline of accountability. "Time and tide wait for no man"... and neither does the Academy Staff Duty Officer!
Barbados is a great port to visit and I can understand why some cadets have a hard time pulling themselves away from the fun to meet their curfew. It has great restaurants serving exotic foods like flying fish sandwiches, conch stew, and fried plantains. There is cricket (the game, not the insect), polo, rugby and soccer. Wild monkeys swing through the trees and beautiful hibiscus bushes bloom everywhere. It's a real eye-opening experience for any 18 year old who is out of Massachusetts for the first time. Here is a random sampling of comments from some Cadets who just happened to be hanging around the ship's quarterdeck:
On Saturday,1/C Jessica Bigelow, of Springfield, MA, went to Crane Beach Resort on the south east coast of the island. Located at the foot of a steep cliff, the half moon beach has sugar sand and turquoise water. "Really neat!" She exclaimed into the phone. Today Jess plans to go on the Jolly Roger, a "pirate ship" , and walk the plank.
3/C Andrew Kittila, of So. Yarmouth, MA, bemoaned the fact that Friday was an election day holiday in Barbados so most things were closed on his first day of liberty, but today he plans a day shopping, swimming, sunning and riding the water slides topped off with a Jolly Roger voyage this evening. (One would think that a "boat ride" would be the last thing on the agenda for young people who had just spent 14 days at sea... but, after all, these are Maritimers.)
Alajandro Santiago, a Freshman from Pruneville, CA, was excited about going SCUBA diving. "Wrecks and reefs...that's what I want!"
"Whoo-Yah" shouted 4/C Adam St. Martin of Southampton, MA as he described the fun he had renting Wave Runners and racing with his friends in the Caribbean Sea. Fellow first year student John Cunniffe of Jamaica Plain, MA wanted to "Swim with the sea turtles".
Meanwhile, 3/C Frank Caliri from West Warwick, RI and 3/C Danielle Doherty from Haverhill, MA had the most detailed plans to squeeze the most fun out the day. Start with horseback riding on the beach in the morning, then lunch at Sam Lord's Castle. In the afternoon, "pick-a-beach, any beach, they're all beautiful," then dancing and music at the Harbor Lights Club 'till the end of liberty.
Usually, curfew is staggered by class with the Freshmen getting "Cinderella Liberty" in the first few ports (Midnight). Sophomores(3/C) may stay out until 0100 (1am) and Juniors (2/C) until 0200 (2 am). Seniors (1/C cadets within 5 months of graduation) have the most liberal liberty; they must be back each morning by 0700 (7am) for muster and work. Liberty tonight, however, ends early for everyone. Tomorrow we sail at 0800, with a full day of training, watch and maintenance scheduled. I want everyone back early to ensure that the day goes smoothly and safely. That means the 4/C are due back aboard by 2200 (10pm), with each class returning one hour after that. By midnight, all cadets are aboard although , admittedly, it is hard to get them to stop talking about their adventures and go to the rack (bed).