Wednesday, 27 January 1999
As of 0800 this morning, the Empire State was located at 13 degrees 34 minutes North latitude, 064 degrees 25 minutes West longitude. That puts her approximately 186 nautical miles west of Saint Lucia. She is steering various courses and speeds while conducting piloting training. The depth of water under the keel is 9000 feet. The weather at her position is clear with occasional rain, wind out of the East @ 8 kts, sea state 3(4 foot), air temp 79 degrees F, water temp 81 degrees F. Barometric pressure 1019 millibars.
CAPTAIN'S LOG:
After spending a few days in this warm weather, one tends to forget just how miserable the weather was when we sailed on 9 January. It just seems soooo long ago!
I read of the warm spell that you are enjoying and was reminded that by the time you read this article the weather will probably be cold and snowy. I am always mindful of Mark Twain's prediction "if you don't like New England weather - wait 20 minutes!"
I received e-mail questions from students who are following our voyage on the Internet. They ask such good questions about our life at sea. For example, Julie and Angela at Lyle School asked about my responsibilities. What a simple question that is: "What does the Captain do?"
Well, my first inclination was to respond "paperwork". The Captain is of course, an administrator. Record keeping is an integral aspect of command at sea because written records provide data for trend analysis. For example, regularly plotting the ship's position on the navigation chart is a form of paper work that not only tells the Captain where the ship is now, it tells him where it has been and predicts where it is likely to go. Important stuff, that paper work.
The Captain is a manager; the bean, bolt and bandage man. To that end, the Captain TS Empire State directs seven departments that collectively encompass every aspect of shipboard life. Consider life in a small town and everything that makes it run. Shipboard Departments function to provide those needs and more. We have a Medical Department complete with doctors and nurses. The Training Departments tend to or educational needs and the Engineering and Deck Departments provide power, lights, water, maintenance and sewerage treatment. Can you guess who responds when we call 911?
Captain is a full time job but I have never known even one Captain who didn't love it. To the many students and teachers following our adventures - keep the questions and comments coming. Let me thank just a few for their continued interest: Ben at Lyle School in Bourne; John and Steven at Stone School, Bourne; Ms. Eileen Brooks' class at Tarbox School, Lawrence; Ms. Jean Jones and Kelsey in Ms. Kathy Gallant's class at Davis School; Ms. Hilary Carlson at Fay School, Southborough; Sara Hartwell and Mr. Cronin at Job Lane,Bedford. "Hello" also to: Ms. Karen Anderson's class in Barnstable; Mr. Keenan's class in Marsten Mills; Jackie and Lauren at North Qunicy High; and a special note to Sydney and her classmates at North Falmouth Elementary. Thank you all for following the voyage and asking your questions. It reminds us why we are out here and gives us a chance to talk about something we love.