Halifax to Rockland/Castine

Wednesday, 27 June     Day 55    Daily Log   Voyage #  0608

We are underway as of 0800 this morning and on our last leg of the voyage. The skies remained clear with the promise of yet another beautiful summer day.

Halifax is an impressive port in that the city is full of life. The comment I heard the most was that it was so clean. We found our Canadian neighbors extremely friendly and more than willing to help with local knowledge. I even noticed that the drivers  would stop for pedestrians and were very cordial. Not at all what we have been used to while we found our way around the Mediterranean ports. However, Canada like the rest of the ports we visited. Was not easy on the wallet. The US dollar just doesn't buy what it used to. 

I think for the most part. The crew, staff, and students are happy to wrap things up now. The students have learned more than  they realize. They have gained additional experiences, and have a greater appreciation for the world. There is no greater teacher than travel. Not only are you required to adapt to an entirely different way of life, try to communicate in a strange language, and understand day to day challenges of the people. But, you also learn to appreciate civilization, gain a clearer understanding of cultural differences, and learn to except different cultures and belief. I believe when your sons and daughters reflect beyond the trivial daily experience of shipboard life and put their experiences into focus. They will truly understand how this adventure has opened their eyes, and perhaps they will return with a wisdom that they didn't have when they left Castine.

Position at 1200 Local Time (LT)                                                   Zone Description GMT-1 hours
Latitude 43-56.6 N   Longitude 063-56.2 W

Noon to noon (or Departure to Noon or Noon to Arrival):  
Distance: 42.7 N miles
Time run: 3 hrs. 06 min.
Average speed: 13.8 kts.
Total passage distance: 42.7 N miles      
Total passage time: 0 days 03 hours 06 minutes
Total average speed: 13.8 kts.

Distance to go (Great Circle) 463.4 miles

Speed required to make our June 30, 2007, 2016 arrival: 13.9 kts.

Sea routine

Wind: nw 3
Sea: Slight
Swell: Low

Sky:  Partly Cloudy
Temperature: 53 Air   47 Sea   

Synopsis: 

  Some of our 4th class students enjoying the maritime museum.    Rich gives Halifax his thumbs up. (he found his train store)

        George and Phil are conspiring to take the town by force.    

                                                                            Proposed new uniforms for our bagpipe band. What do you think "TOM?"

                                                        It was a nice trip up to the citadel overlooking Halifax.

Left, Mr. Omar Chaar, Director of Food Services, center, Liz Mc Mullan, summer Co-Op student on the Bay Ferries Cat, and right, 2/C Winkler, ship security watch.

Under watchful eyes of 1st Engineer Dave Howard,  2/C Samantha Hanson, and her classmates Nicholas & Craig Cullen are operating controllable pitch propeller and the main propulsion engine to full ahead command from bridge leaving port of Halifax  N.S. for our next stop Rockland, Maine.

Gibraltar Info:            

Palermo 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 Palermo

Palermo to Split

Split to Halifax

Halifax to Rockland / Castine

TOTAL Cruise Mileage:      

 3889.5   Nautical Miles

    4460   Nautical Miles   (Estimated)

      280   Nautical Miles   (Estimated)