At Gibraltar

Monday, 21 May     Day 18   Daily Log   Voyage #  0207

SE View of Gibraltar about 0630 this morning as it was dawning.

Arrival this morning was smooth and the students, staff and crew were all on their toes and performed admirably.  Our Pilot was a former Maersk Tanker Captain from the UK, who had recently moved his family down here.

We berthed at the Naval Complex right in front of the Harbourmaster's Office and were all tied up by 0930.

The bunker barge was alongside shortly after we berthed and we started loading bunkers at 1100.  The Diesel is coming aboard at about 150 Mtons per hour and the Heavy oil is coming aboard at about 300 Mtons per hour.  Should finish in about 5 hours at those rates.  It will load slower as his tanks get low and ours get high.

I think everyone was ready for a day of Liberty as it resembled "rats deserting a sinking ship" when the announcement for Liberty was made on the PA system.  Not many bothered to return for lunch either, so I expect they are off touring and exploring.  With the relaxed diplomacy between Spain and Gibraltar it is pretty simple to go to Spain, which is only 2.5 miles from here.  All you need is your Passport. 

So, tonight the sea stories will start....new adventures, new port and plenty of fun.

Check out our Question and Answer page.

Position at 1200 Local Time (LT)                                                   Zone Description +2 hours
Gibraltar

Noon to noon (or Departure to Noon or Noon to Arrival):  
Distance:     237.2  Nmiles
Time run:     19 hrs  30  min
Average Speed.  12.2  Kts
Total passage distance:     3889.5    Nmiles       (to date)
Total passage Time:   12 Days   07 Hours   15  Minutes
Total Average Speed:   13.2   Kts

ETA Gibraltar  21 May  at 0800 Local time (ZT +2 hours) 0600 UTC

Daily Routine today, then switch to in port routine

Wind:  SW'ly   11 Knots
Sea:     Nil
Swell:  Nil
Sky:    Mostly overcast
Temperature:  69 Air    65  Sea   

Synopsis:  Low then climbing Barometer

Our stern swings by our berth as we turn around.  Radar shows the ship being pulled around by the tugs.

Towered building is the Harbourmaster's office

If you heard on the news about $500 million in cons recovered from a shipwreck, this is the vessel that brought the treasure in.

Pilot boat and alongside Berth #41

Traditional view of the "Rock" with Europa Point L/H and Mosque in the foreground.

Security boats escorted us in.

The Mosque at Europa Point.

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 granted 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 safety and security procedures.

Castine to Gibraltar

Gibraltar to Odessa

Odessa to Split

Split to Halifax

Halifax to Rockland / Castine

TOTAL Cruise Mileage:      

    3800   Nautical Miles (Estimated)

    2260   Nautical Miles  (Estimated)

    1530   Nautical Miles   (Estimated)

    4460   Nautical Miles   (Estimated)

       280  Nautical Miles   (Estimated)

    12,330  Nautical Miles  (Estimated)