Wednesday, 03 February 1999
As of 0800, the Empire State was located at 16 degrees and 03 minutes North latitude, 066 degrees and 08 minutes West longitude, steering a course of 090 degrees true, at a speed of 12.8 knots. The air temperature is 75 degrees F, with a forecast high of 78. Water temperature is 80 degrees. The skies are mostly clear with strong, east-northeast trade winds at 25 knots, sea state 3 (10 feet). Water depth is 12,940 feet. Barometric pressure is 1017 millibars and steady.
CAPTAIN'S LOG:
Yesterday was a rough day aboard Empire State. It was cloudy and cold, (for down here) with wind chill temperatures well into the sixties. Worst of all, we returned to the rockin' and rollin' ride of the first week of the sea term. It really shouldn't have been so bad, it was just that the wind was fetching up a pretty strong sea from the east, and that's where we wanted to go.
The helmsmen were having a tough time of it. If they strayed from course by as little as three or four degrees, "bam" she would be off by ten. When the helmsmen recovered, by adding about ten degrees of rudder, she would abruptly swing back - right PAST the intended course and the correction process began anew. Meanwhile, everything in the galley was in motion, books in classrooms were flying, and people throughout the ship were holding on for dear life. The dreaded seasickness returned, much to the surprise of the now "seasoned mariners".
This morning is proving to be a lot better. The wind continues to howl, but as the barometer rises the breeze moderates by the hour. The seas have flattened a notch and I'm hoping for a more productive day from everyone.
Today is the final day of Deck training for Freshman (4/C) Cadets in Division 3... the most dreaded day of the sea term for them: "Bridge Quals". Each Fourth Class Cadet must undergo an intense oral examination covering all equipment found on Empire State's bridge. It is just the young cadet, the steely-eyed examiner, and hundreds of lights, dials, switches, and levers. Voices on the bridge are hushed. The feeling is like being in a darkened church. You can see panic on their faces as the cadets recall the long hours spent standing watch next to those same pieces of equipment. I know they wonder: "Why didn't I ask more questions?"
Truth is, every item that they are asked to describe, and each procedure that they recite has been covered in lectures, walk around classes, or by the Watch Officers. I think it's the pressure that gets them, but that too has a purpose. When things turn sour, the weather is stormy, and the rocks and reefs lurk just beneath the waves, being able to handle pressure and recall the right answer is essential.
The upper class Deck Cadets complete these tests at the end of the sea term. They have been through it before and seen to cope. "Cope" I said; not necessarily "excel." Oral testing is one of the most difficult forms of examination because of its subjectivity and the pressure imposed by time constraints. The examiner is standing there; looking the cadet in the eye; expecting an answer; the right answer; and he or she doesn't have time to even collect a thought. Oral exams are time consuming with a lot of one-on-one, student/instructor contact, but the method is one of the most effective ways to measure the retention of knowledge.
Engine Cadets undergo similar testing. The examiner walks the cadet around the huge, complex engine room, points to a piece of machinery and asks: "What is it? How do you start it up? What happens if this red light comes on? " Under ordinary conditions, operating temperatures in the engine room hover around 110 degrees F. and the humidity is 100%. During oral exams, it seems hotter and more humid.
We are also planning the final phase for lifeboat training which will be conducted at the anchorage in St. John, US Virgin Islands. All of the Sophomore and Freshman cadets must successfully demonstrate the ability to safely lower, launch and row a lifeboat. (Another important lesson learned after marine disasters like the Titanic.) Most completed that drill in Guantanemo Bay, Cuba but we have several stragglers who expect to finish up in St. John. We'll arrive very early on Saturday morning and, if we get the necessary work done early, most of the Cadets should be off the ship for "Swim Call" in Caneel Bay.
Until then, the pressure of testing, the routine of training, and the monotony of maintenance must continue. I just wish the wind would let up.