The picture is the open #2 hatch, forward on the Empire State, as they load small boats for the trip using the booms. We'll use the boats for training in the Caribbean. Everyone is looking forward to departure (at noon on Saturday, 13 January)and an escape from the winter weather of New England

Today was another day of work, work, and work. Most people can understand a trip to the grocery store to buy food for your family. So far, a total of 8 trailer trucks have disgorged 200,000 pounds of groceries into the holds of the Empire State in just two days. That translates into 5,000 lbs. of hamburger, 2,000 gallons of milk, 5,000 lbs. of flour (Juventino, our Portuguese baker will make fresh bread every day), 6,000 gallons of soda and 4,500 lbs. of Kool-Aid. Probably the worst job today was unloading the 250 five gallon tubs of ice cream ...in the snow. Despite it all, the attitude is good and spirits are high. Wednesday we begin the Fire and Boat drills to ensure all hands know the fire procedures and abandon ship steps. We must perform those drills perfectly for the U.S. Coast Guard on Thursday. In addition to having everyone on the ship know the proper procedures, we have to be able to account for EVERYONE in as little as 5 minutes. A daunting task when you consider that there are almost 600 people on board and a large number are busy operating the engine room, "fighting" the fire, and performing important watch duties.