Captain's Log for Sunday 16 January 2000
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At 0230 EST (0730 GMT) the T/S Empire State arrived in Funchal, Madeira, located at 32 degrees and 35 minutes North Latitude and 16 degrees 53 minutes West Longitude. She was steering various courses and speeds (piloting) as necessary to enter port. The skies were cloudy with winds out of the west at 4 knots. Barometric pressure was steady at 1019 millibars of mercury. The air temperature was 55 degrees and seawater was 65 degrees. Seas were calm and the depth of water beneath the keel was 50 feet. CAPTAIN'S LOG 16 JANUARY 2000 We arrived at Funchal, Madeira after a horrendous 24-hour period of miserable weather. The northerly seas treated the new comers aboard to a tiny taste of King Neptune's wintertime wrath as large, wind driven swells slammed into our port beam all night. The 1/C cadet in charge of weather may be forced to "walk the plank" as a result of his weatherman like performance. His predictions also failed to include any mention of snow. The storm that thrashed us also dumped about ten inches of snow on the higher elevations of Madeira. That has caused a rash of serious traffic problems and many of the roads leading up the 3000-foot plateau, Paul de Serra, have been detoured. Thankfully, we are securely tied to the pier. Even though modern technological advances fell short in the meteorological arena, they are working as designed elsewhere. For the first time in the history of Massachusetts Maritime Academy you can join us live via telepresence on the Internet. Come see us on the pier at www.madeira-live.com. Madeira Island has a population of 250,000 people who come from many countries. According to our Pilot, the majority do not hail from Portugal or from Madeira Island itself and tourist brochures say "the Madeirans seem to be molded by the land itself. Austere like the mountains; sweet and warm like it's wine." It has been many, many years since an MMA ship docked here. Consequently, only a few old timers in the food service and our Bosun, Vic Cordeira (Fairhaven, MA) have any experience here. For the rest of us, it is a new adventure, an exciting stop. Today's weather forecast is for a high of 18C/68F and occasional showers. (Similar to weather in Buzzards Bay, 18F with occasional snow showers). Things are falling in place for a wonderful day in Funchal. See you tomorrow. CADET COMMENT: ANOTHER DAY IN THE LIFE OF 4/C MELISSA DeVALLES ON CRUISE 2000 Every morning, after dragging myself awake and forcing my trousers on, one leg at a time, I join the entire Regiment of Cadets on the main deck for morning formation. It has grown tedious but I have become used to greeting the wonderfully colorful sunrise. The ship has been relentlessly driving into it. Under such circumstances I find it easy to drift off and forget what I am doing here. For a brief moment today, I forced myself into a necessary reality check. "Hello Melissa! You're on a ship in the middle of the Atlantic with 485 other kids, heading to foreign places and foreign experiences." This isn't Fairhaven, Massachusetts anymore. It's important to keep things in the proper perspective. Today, I was assigned a task to walk the weather decks and empty the cans designated for cigarette butts. There aren't many smokers aboard so it wasn't much of a task and I was fortunate enough to catch a quick nap. I jumped at the opportunity. An afternoon nap is a luxury that doesn't come often to a Youngie on cruise. Another thing, I've been thinking alot about corresponding with friends and family. A few of my freshman friends are having hard times adjusting to being away. Homesickness is tough and the realities of being away are affecting the cadets in different ways. However, everyone is hyped up for liberty in Madeira. I have to get ready. Bye.
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