Captain's Log for Friday, 14 January 2000
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At 0700 EST the T/S Empire State was enroute to Funchal, Madeira and located at 33 degrees and 11 minutes North Latitude and 28 degrees 29 minutes West Longitude. She was steering course 094 degrees true at a speed of 15.7 knots. The weather was superb. The skies were partly cloudy with light winds out of the east-northeast at 3 knots. Barometric pressure was 1027 millibars of mercury. The air temperature was 63 degrees and seawater was 67 degrees. Seas were 3 to 6 feet and the depth of water beneath the keel was 3030 fathoms. CAPTAIN'S LOG 14 JANUARY 2000 I hate to seem redundant but the big story on this crossing is the superb weather we are enjoying. I haven't seen winter weather so good in years and we are really reaping the benefit of it. The practical meteorology has been a textbook experience for the Cadets who are applying their classroom lessons here on the Bridge. As expected, the wind shifted from SW to SE yesterday, when we passed from an area of very high pressure into colder, slightly lower pressure. Later, a few rain squalls passed close aboard and the wind continued around to the NE, but we can surely live with that. The Cadet of the Watch predicts continued shifting to the North, which should produce nice, cool weather for our stay in Madeira. The wonderful weather greatly enhanced training during our first "planned slowdown", yesterday afternoon. These events are included in the voyage plans to enable the Marine Safety and Environmental Protection students to conduct lab experiments. I asked two of our senior Environmental Cadet Officers, 1/C Jessica Harlin of Fairfax, VA and Krystal Garcia of Onset, MA, to explain further: "We slowed the ship in order to conduct net towing evolutions and collect plankton as a practical demonstration for the lab portion of freshman training. The net mesh, ranging in size from 20 to 210 micrometers, separates the plankton by different types. We are east of the mid-Atlantic ridge so our collection operation predictably yielded lesser quantities of sea life than one would anticipate closer to the Continental shelf, but it was highly successful". Sounds awfully technical to me but Krystal and Jessica certainly understand it. My Oceanography professor, who instructed me more than 25 years ago, would not be happy by my ignorance. Slowing the ship after six days of "steady state steaming" is also a great training exercise for the engineers. 1/C Anthony Vittorioso, Jr of Malden, MA explained: "Slowing after extended steady state operation is an opportunity for us in the Engine Room. We add extra personnel to attend the throttles and everyone pays more attention to the systems. All steam extraction from the turbines is secured. The main condenser circulating water scoop is shut and the cooling water supply to the main condenser is shifted to the main condenser circulation pumps before we slow. This action ensures that the main condenser is adequately cooled and that proper vacuum is maintained. The astern throttle guardian valve is opened to permit use of astern propulsion for maneuvering. Finally, the main condensate recirculator valve is opened to maintain satisfactory water level in the main condenser hot well. Then, when ordered by the Cadet Officer of the Deck, the Cadet Engineer on the throttle shuts the main steam stop valve. That reduces steam flow to the propulsion turbine and slows the propellers. Drastically reducing steam demand triggers many other actions in the engine room so that everyone on watch learns a significant amount about power plant operations". Many thanks to Anthony, Jessica, and Krystal, for their noteworthy technical expertise.
CADET COMMENT: ANOTHER DAY IN THE LIFE OF 4/C MELISSA DeVALLES ON CRUISE 2000 Today was today or rather "is" today, I think. Who can keep the time straight anyway or better still, who needs to? Out here it all looks the same. A little update on my confusion of yesterday. Ask me what time I finished my laundry last night, 0230! That is A.M. folks! Again, I lost quite a bit of sleep. The truly pathetic aspect of the entire thing is that it's mostly self-induced. I should hit the rack earlier but I always find some reason to stay up. Another revelation; you might think that we would arrive in port, park the ship, jump off, and run to the nearest "museum" or other quality sight seeing adventure. Wrong! In reality, a large contingent always remains aboard to ensure that everything stays in "apparent good order". Next Monday, when we are in Madeira, I have the watch (so do all the others in my duty section). Therefore, I will stay on the ship for the entire day and work. Obviously, duty is not a very good deal but at the same time you realize the importance of learning to accept responsibility. So, I can't complain. I'm also beginning to grasp the substance of community living. Privacy is a scarce commodity in such tight quarters. Lack of personal space can be trying and listening to the simultaneous conversations of 12 people in a narrow passageway, (hallway to those at home) makes for some pretty distracting music. As usual, the day was very busy but not so much so that I failed to notice the incredibly beautiful weather. The seas were so calm, the wind was wonderfully warm; the sun was shining so brightly; the only sign of any disruption to the peacefulness was an occasional rainsquall far, far off in the distance. For some reason, that marvelous scene makes the inconveniences of ship life seem rather insignificant. CREW COMMENTS: LETTER HOME FROM THE CREW: What follows is a letter home from Deann Kucharski, a new crewmember from Wareham, MA. Deann and I thought it might be interesting for the readers to see a glimpse of a crewmember's notes to home. Dear Mom, Day 6, no illness for me! Work is what I make it, far less exciting than I'm used to. I do manage to meddle and ask enough questions of others to get through without being annoying. I hope! Your son was wrong. For me the sea has always possessed and demanded great respect as well as endless tranquility. I am not yet bored of the vast empty view. Few marine life sightings, but I have an APB out with the cadets to get me at each opportunity. Down time has been occupied by movies, cards, aerobics and conversation. People are friendly, and those to be avoided quickly surface! Your positive attitude about other's shortcomings has come in handy here. I am comfortable with my decision to come and take time away from nursing. I did still struggle with that for a few days. Mom, I can't wait to get to Madeira. I wish you were here as so many memories have included you. I'll be creating this one without you Shirl! I hope Morris is taking good care of you as he promised. Has Wendell and Alfred exhausted you on the phone yet? I hope Miguette is healing from the death in Haiti, she wanted to go. It must be difficult to grieve from another country. Good bye for now. All my love, your one and only daughter. nnnn QUESTIONS FOR 17 JANUARY 2000 GEOGRAPHY: The cadets will soon sail to their next port - Gibraltar. What famous Strait does Gibraltar border and what two bodies of water does it link? SCIENCE: The Training Ship Empire State has crossed the mid-Atlantic ridge during its journey. Volcanoes on the ocean floor formed the ridge. True or False - Most of the Earth's volcanic activity occurs on the ocean floor? HISTORY: What people first recorded the existence of the actual Rock of Gibraltar? What did they name it? MATH: If the Training Ship Empire State travels at 12 knots for 8.75 days going from Buzzards Bay to Madeira, Portugal...how many nautical miles do they travel? HINT: 1 nautical mile equals 6080 feet. ANSWERS FOR 14 JANUARY 2000 GEOGRAPHY: Five, The main Island of Madeira, the smaller island of Porto Santo and the three uninhabited islets of Ilheu Chao, Deserta Grande and Ilheu de Bugio. SCIENCE: The ocean looks blue because seawater scatters and absorbs all of the light in the red, yellow, and green spectrum. Leaving only blue light to penetrate and be reflected by the water molecules. HISTORY: The fishing village of Camara de Lobos was the favorite fishing and vacation spot of Sir Winston Churchill. MATH: 26.25 Days
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