| CAPTAIN'S LOG
The
ROUTINE begins! Most festivities completed this morning
with expiring "Special Liberty" requests and the business of
preparing the ship for Sea has advanced to the next level.
Immediately this morning we went to Fire and Emergency Stations with
a simulated fire in the 01 AFT LAUNDRY. This was successfully
handled by our Emergency Squad teams and we were able to test a
multitude of procedures, and equipment. We then went to
Abandon Ship stations and lowered and swung out our lifeboats and
rescue boats. Our accountability for everyone on board went
very smoothly, in fact, the best it has ever been for a 1st full
blown drill. Definitely testament to the training efforts of
the Cadet Rates and the Organizational skills and leadership within
that cadre of Midshipman. They will improve at each drill and
by our official drill on Monday for the U.S. Coast Guard we should
be able to proudly attest that they are ready to handle anything
that is thrown at them. Tonight after our other drill of
the day, there will be a de-brief of the teams and discussion of
"Lessons Learned".
Today also
starts the beginning of a thorough cleaning and wash down of the
entire ship as well as a concerted effort towards securing, lashing
and making ready for Sea. I must admit that at this stage,
this year, I am a huge slacker as my office looks like it was hit by
one of the Midwest tornadoes. I definitely need to get my act
together and clean the mess or it will all be on the deck Tuesday
evening. So, at this point "teach by example" has been a
failure for me! This is especially pertinent as when I am up,
my door is always open, so myself and my hovel are exposed for all
to see!
I also just
saw our Doc out on deck doing his daily miles of walks about the
ship and that reminded me that I should be doing the same. The
leisurely walkabouts looking at ship safety, cleanliness, security,
and taking photos for this web page, really don't give me the
exercise I need. I don't want to offend the Dining Service
Staff by not showing up to taste their epicurean delights.....
Ya, what an excuse that is! Chow is my favorite ship's social
event, something that I have heard from other's who, like me,
tend to have 20 extra pounds still hanging on from LAST cruise.
Wish us luck getting rid of that in the next 60 days!
Check out our Question and Answer page.
|
|
Gibraltar Info:
Odessa Info:
Split Info:
Halifax Info:
Rockland/Castine
Excursion:
Rockland to Castine the day we arrive back at our
home berth (30 June) has been designated as a possible "excursion day".
The U.S. Coast Guard has been asked to grant us a permit to take extra persons
on board above our vessels certification. To do this we have
to have certain lifesaving procedures and equipment on board.
Accordingly the numbers we can take are strictly limited. We,
of necessity, have limited our guests to 2 persons per upper
class student on cruise (immediate family members only) plus
official MMA invitees and crew member guests. We can not offer
more because we do not have the lifesaving capability. Also
this is always a tentative adventure which because of weather,
security, operational difficulties etc. may be cancelled up to the
last moment. The security issue is becoming a big item in how
we offer and execute these excursions, so for those who are planning
to attend please be patient with the necessary
procedures.
|
| Cruise mileages:
Castine to Gibraltar
Gibraltar to Odessa
Odessa to Split
Split to Halifax
Halifax to Rockland / Castine
TOTAL Cruise Mileage:
|
3000 Nautical Miles
(Estimated)
2260 Nautical Miles (Estimated)
1530 Nautical Miles (Estimated)
4460 Nautical Miles
(Estimated)
280 Nautical Miles (Estimated)
11,530 Nautical Miles
(Estimated) |
