Friday 25 January 2002

At 1200, EST the Training Ship Empire State was steaming several nautical miles to the east of Vera Cruz, Mexico at 19 degrees 30 minutes north Latitude and 095 degrees 56 minutes west Longitude. She was in radio contact with Port Operations. The deteriorating weather was challenging and had become a problem; the sky was cloudy with strong, west northwest winds blowing at 35 to 40 knots, seas were rough and from the north at 8 to 10 feet, air temperature was 77 degrees Fahrenheit, barometric pressure was 1018 millibars and falling, the sea temperature was 78 degrees Fahrenheit.

CAPTAIN'S LOG

"One thing is sure. We have to do something. We have to do the best we know how at the moment . . . ; If it doesn't turn out right, we can modify it as we go along." Franklin D. Roosevelt

Every one was excited, up long before reveille this morning. The youngies were inspection ready, dressed in their salt and pepper uniforms and strutting the decks. Many cadets planned to take every advantage of our call on Vera Cruz, (True Cross) Mexico to gain ship handling insight while others openly admitted that they were drawn from the bunk quite simply, by the alluring fragrance of fresh, warm bread. But most who were up and about, were just anxious to be there.

As predicted, we prolonged completion of the final preps for entering port until dawn while anxious cadets assumed the watch in turn and double checked every detail. Worry beads definitely took a beating but that is ok. Entering port is a big deal and the cadets were appropriately concerned about getting it right. Customs officials and port administrators are not know for humor and given the level of shipping activity around these busy places, few have the luxury of time to deal with poor preparation or incompetence.

Finally, all was ready, or so we thought. Then, despite our best behavior, we apparently strayed and at 0800 this morning Mother Nature visited the wrath upon us yet again. This time not only was the comfortable ride disturbed, but the strong northerly winds closed the port. We were abruptly restricted to the ship and the ship to sea. By 0830 cadets were dressed in familiar work uniforms, classes had begun, and maintenance projects were in full swing.

We are out here now, the harbor entrance in sight, and that is disappointing. However, it shows that the safety system works. Remember, the cadets check and recheck every detail (weather is listed) for one purpose; to guarantee that we can safely pilot restricted waters. (Avoid the air - water - dirt interface) The incredible forces generated by sustained winds and gusts along the length of the ship, and the unpredictable nature of them, have the potential to overpower the tugs and push Empire State aground. Therefore, we were not ready and that determination was a showstopper, we will remain in deep waters until the winds subside, and conditions are deemed acceptable for the Pilot to embark.

We are shooting for the same time, same place on Saturday morning. If all goes as planned, we will enter port tomorrow and depart on Tuesday.

Stay tuned to the Captain's Log for the latest. See You tomorrow.

CADET'S COMMENT

Not Going as Planned By 1/C Caryn Arnold

Today was a wake-up call for many! Few realized the consequences that weather may have on a ship's schedule. Sudden storms create the possibility of real danger and risks for passengers and ship alike. Consequently, alternative routing and schedules are planned as precautionary measures.

Today, we witnessed the immediate effects of strong winds as they prevented docking evolutions in Vera Cruz, Mexico. Now we must wait for the storm to ease before we can head in.

There were many confused and unhappy cadets this morning when the Captain announced the delay but, that is life in the fast lane.

Today's ambitious liberty plans have been replaced by classes, watches, and more maintenance. And some cadets, who were planning to be ashore, dining in a nice restaurant, are scrubbing pots in the scullery, compacting trash, or completing other tasks that are essential to life at sea. The happy cadets of last night are long faced today; But they are more determined than ever to enjoy tomorrow... on the beach.

1/C Harwood said it best, "Last year we couldn't get out of our first port, this year we can't get in."

ANSWERS FOR FRIDAY 25 JANUARY

MATH: Find the volume of the storage tank 3 x3 x 3 x 3 = 27 cubic feet. 1 cubic foot = 7.480 gallons; 27 cubic feet x 7.480 gallons = 201.974 gallons

SCIENCE: The smallest unit of seawater is a molecule.

GEOGRAPHY: The word is "Archipelago". Yes, this word fits the geography of this area.

HISTORY: Dr. Samuel Mudd. Dr. Mudd set the broken leg of John Wilkes Booth, accused assassin of President Abraham Lincoln. Booth suffered the broken leg when he jumped to the stage of Ford's Theatre after inflicting a mortal wound on President Lincoln.