Friday, 19 February 1999
As of 0800, the Empire State was located at 42 degrees 02 minutes North latitude and 070 degrees and 18 minutes West longitude, steering a course of 110 degrees true at a speed of knots 10.8. Proviencetown is 6 nm to the northeast. The air temperature is 38 degrees F. Water temperature is 48 degrees. The skies are partly cloudy. Winds are out of the north at 15 knots with a sea state of 3 (4 feet). Water depth is 130 feet. Barometric pressure is 1009 millibars and falling.
CAPTAIN'S LOG:
Today is a very important day for the cadets. They are taking final examinations and completing critical qualifications. So, given the potential for some nasty weather, I decided to seek shelter inside of Cape Cod Bay. We are "Hanging On The Hook" and the troops are working in relative comfort.
After forty-seven days of plowing furrows in the ocean, Empire State is in sight of Cape Cod, anchored just two miles off Race Point in Provincetown. At first light, early risers were rewarded with the sight they had been longing for - the low, gray dunes of the Outer Cape. Now, we can clearly see the Pilgrim Monument rising abruptly from the cold sand and rows of summer cottages, shuttered against the winter winds. Everyone is quick to notice the big difference between the view today, and the one we have grown used to over the past month. Gone are the many low lying Caribbean Islands and with them, the beautiful color green. Here, in the land of ice and snow, gray is the dominant color. However, you can rest assured; gray does NOT describe the mood on board. Sure, there are sea dogs aboard who brag "my home is the sea", but to most, the poem "Home is the Sailor, Home from the Sea" best expresses their true feelings.
Despite the fact that the ship has stopped, work and training do not rest. Finals can have major effects on grade point averages so tensions are high. A visit to the mess deck this morning, revealed cadets eating scrambled eggs and pancakes with one hand while holding a text books to their faces with the other. There was no social chatter or ship's gossip, just pertinent questions such as, "where in the steam cycle does the main steam stop valve fit?" or "what do three vertical white lights on a ship at night mean?" Some cadets even refused to venture topside for a quick look at the tip of Cape Cod. "Too distracting! If I look I won't be able to get it out of my mind and I have to focus on this test."
Our Chief Mate and Chief Engineer are proud professionals and they intent to return Empire State to SUNY Maritime in pristine condition and the maintenance work has become frenzied. Only hours remain to finish all the projects so dozens of cadets are scrubbing and wiping decks and bulkheads or laying down the last coats of paint. In fact, handrails in the engine room got a fresh coat of bright yellow paint yesterday. (I know that to be a fact because a number of engineers are walking around with bright yellow stripes across their backsides, evidence of sitting down on the job.)
I plan to remain at anchor tonight while testing and maintenance go at full speed. Weather permitting, we will weigh anchor Saturday to give the Deck Cadets one last day of piloting (navigating by visual references to land) and the Engineering Cadets a final day of maneuvering (changing speed with the throttle). We'll remain in Cape Cod Bay all day and anchor just off the Sagamore Beach Breakwater, in sight of the Sagamore Bridge, late Saturday afternoon. Then, on Sunday morning 21 February, we will enter the Canal and proceed to the Academy. We will arrive at 1317 (1:17 PM) on the slack high tide:
Winter weather in New England is fickle and high winds can affect the best-laid plans. Recent forecasts show low pressure developing off the East Coast and passing well to the south. That should permit an on time arrival in Buzzards Bay. Stay tuned to the update line and MMA web site for any changes. Rest assured, we will do what is safe and prudent and we will try to keep all hands informed about our decisions. Two days and a wake up! See you tomorrow.