SST: June 18, 2009
18 June 2009
SST 2009 – Update #3 Departure Reykjavik
DEPARTURE REPORT – 18 JUNE 2009/1000 LT
T/S EMPIRE STATE KKFW
LAT: 64° 13.7’ N LONG: 025° 37.6’ W
IN PORT DIST: 36.3 NM
MANUEVERING TIME: 5.0 HRS
MANUEVERING CONSUMPTION: 60 BBLS
ANCHOR TIME/TIME ALONGSIDE: 3D 23.5HRS
ANCHOR/ALONGSIDE CONSUMPTION: 463 BBLS
IFO ROB: 9617BBLS
MDO ROB: 599 BBLS
POTABLE/DISTILLED WATER ROB: 740/233 TON
SEA STATE: WSW/3
WIND: NW/3
NEXT PORT: Belfast, Northern Ireland
DIST TO GO: 1488 NM
ETA TO PILOT STATION: 0100 LT/ 25 June 2009
We got underway this morning, and are now steaming north along the west coast of Iceland. As we dropped off the pilot upon clearing our berth in Reykjavik, he asked where we were headed next. “Belfast” I stated, and he proceeded to discuss what the weather would be like on the route this time of year, assuming we were headed south. When one of our deck cadets on watch, Keia Armbrister, informed him that we were not headed south, the shortest way to Belfast, but rather headed north to the Artic Circle on our way to Belfast, he smiled as if to say, “ah yes, a training ship”. So north we steam, staying about twelve miles off the coast as we proceed first north along the west coast, and then east along the north coast of this vast, and unpopulated country. Right now we are directly off one of the glaciers on the west coast, and at the Boat drill this afternoon you could see many camera’s out as cadets were seeing sights not familiar to most of our students. Many of them are curious as to if we will see ice, or icebergs once we reach our northern-most latitudes, approximately 67° north, but most quite frankly are just excited that we will once again cross into King Neptune’s realm, the Artic Circle on this leg of the voyage. Quite coincidently we will be at that latitude on the summer solstice, and that will be an experience not to be forgotten.
Reykjavik proved to be yet another great port, and one that the ship had yet to visit in all of the years that I could trace back. Very rugged, yet extremely friendly people, a peaceful, village-like setting and good times had by all. We arrived on Sunday, as scheduled, and were greeted by a joining member of the Engineering faculty, Conrad Youngren. Conrad is both an old friend, and someone with a great knowledge of training cruises, and engineering; he has probably participated in more cruises than most others combined on this voyage, and has a great knack for teaching. Conrad will be aboard for the rest of the voyage, and will be assisting Dr. Burke, the Senior Engineering Training Officer. Upon clearing customs, and being granted free-pratique, liberty was piped for the first class, then the second class and finally the third class cadets. Rank has its privileges as they say, but yet all were off by noon that first day. For this port, we further built on the past success of our ship-sponsored tours, and had three tours highlighted on each of the three days of our stay. The Blue Lagoon tour, a quick but relaxing trip to one of the famous sights of Iceland, and where the cadets could relax and swim in the geothermal pools of Iceland; the white-water rafting tour, a tour for the more adventurous, where the cadets went white water rafting and swimming in one of the local ravines here, amongst the breathtaking scenery unique to Iceland; and finally the Golden Circle tour which took cadets around to a number of local sights around the western side of the country. When all was said and done, over four hundred cadets did one or more tours, and at a very reasonable price. As a number of cadets were heard saying – what better a way to see the country, and some of the sights unique to Iceland. A special thanks goes out to Anderson Smith, my assistant, who spent hours of his time getting these tours off each day.
For those that did not want to tour around, or for all that simply wanted to go into Reykjavik, we set up a shuttle bus going right from the ship to the center of town on all of our days visiting. Despite the fact that Iceland was going through a serious depression, prices were still high due to a VAT (value added tax) put on everything including food and beverage. Prices were higher than we have seen so far this cruise, but many enjoyed trying some unusual local fare – including whale and/or puffin. I would also say that most everyone onboard ate at a famous hot dog stand where President Clinton is rumored to have eaten a number of hot dogs on a trip made to Iceland following his last term in office. All in all, it proved to be a unique and memorable port.
Considering that we had a serious developing low pressure system to the west of us, that was predicted to be upon us on our scheduled day of departure (June 17th), and also based on the fact that our day of departure was Independence Day in Iceland, we decided to stay through Thursday, 18 June. This suited most everyone onboard, but specifically Cadets Caroline Hickey, Matthew Coogan, Stephanie Knoblock and Oliver Robinson who all celebrated birthday’s on this date! The town had the atmosphere of small town America on July 4th, a parade, families all out together, and a concert in one of the parks in the town’s center. A good decision, a great port stay, and now back to sea to continue with the real training at hand. We will have some more tomorrow on the port stay nonetheless.
To complete today’s entry, I have included Admiral Craine’s final blog entry:
Summer Sea Term ‘09
June 16, 2009
Dear Faculty, Staff, and Parents,
Iceland has been a wonderful place for the cadets and crew of Empire State to get some well deserved rest and relaxation. It is a fascinating country with lots to do and see. The tours Captain Smith arranged have been well attended, appreciated and enjoyed by all. From white water rafting, to cliff jumping into frigid waters, to scenic tours around the island, and over glaciers and lava fields, to horseback riding, to just walking around the city of Reykjavik window shopping or stopping for a bit to eat, it has been a most enjoyable port visit. And, we’ll get to experience the Icelandic national holiday, complete with parades and other festivities, before the ship departs. The people here are wonderful and helpful. While walking from the ship to the city center our first day in, a couple of us paused to look at a map; but, before we could focus on it, a car stopped, the driver asked where we were headed and then proceeded to give us directions. Just after the car departed, an approaching couple, seeing our map, asked if we needed directions. This friendly and accommodating atmosphere has been evident throughout our time here.
After leaving Iceland on Thursday, and if the weather permits, the ship will head north around the island and in doing so will cross the Arctic Circle. This is a significant event for mariners, as they become part of the Order of the Blue Nose. We’ll have a ceremony that includes painting the point of the ship’s bow blue in order for all to see that she has crossed the Arctic Circle. From there, the route of navigation will take the ship southeast toward the Shetland Islands, the northernmost of the British islands, then through the Pentland Firth, a narrow channel between the Orkney Islands and Scotland, then on to Belfast. This should be a great maneuvering and navigation opportunity for the cadets.
In between these port visits, there will much going on aboard ship- watches to be stood, continued maintenance on the decks and in the engine spaces, classroom instruction given and tests taken (hopefully all passed!). Even while in port, maintenance of the ship continues. Cadets have been cleaning, painting and polishing. This morning, for example, in the engine room, a 1st class cadet was cleaning a fuel oil filter, something that can be removed and cleaned only while in port. In other areas of the ship, bulkheads (walls) were being painted, and decks were being polished to “better than when new.” It is great to see the pride and satisfaction on the faces of the cadets when they have completed their tasks and know that they have done them very well!
Never in my 40 years of going to sea have I seen such high spirits and morale aboard ship. There has been a strong sense of eagerness and enthusiasm on the part of the cadets to get all they can out of their time aboard! For the officers, professors and staff, it has been refreshing and heartening to see others wanting to follow in their footsteps and learn as much as they can about the maritime profession.
Unfortunately, when the ship departs Iceland, I have to return to New York. I have to say, leaving this wonderful environment is not going to be easy. This is such a rewarding and special time during our college year. Seeing the theory our students learned or sometimes struggled to comprehend in the classroom finally make sense, in a practical way, aboard Empire State is extremely satisfying and rewarding.
As I leave, I take this opportunity to thank all those who make this Summer Sea Term such an exceptional experience. To the officers, mates, engineers, academic training officers and staff aboard Empire State, you are consummate professionals. It has been a pleasure to listen-in, as you have mentored, advised, and explained the intricate details of executing a maneuver or the coordination and myriad adjustments involved in responding to “bells” from the bridge. Your hard work and dedication are truly laying the foundation for our cadets’ rewarding and fulfilling futures!
To the staff, thank you for all your contributions, from food preparation and service personnel, to the yeomen who help maintain and record hundreds of “Q’s” and tests, to room stewards who assist with our accommodations, to our barber and all those back on campus who have worked behind the scenes to prepare in many different ways to make the Summer Sea Term possible. To those back on campus, I wish you could experience and see what I have seen, and I thank you for your contributions towards what has so far been an outstanding Summer Sea Term.
To our cadets, it has been a pleasure being with you for a portion of your time at sea. I marvel at how well you do all that is asked of you and will cherish the memories of being with you and seeing your professional performance aboard ship. You are truly inspirational!
I wish you a safe and enjoyable transit to Belfast and then back across the Atlantic! I look forward to seeing you back at Fort Schuyler on July 10th!
Sincerely,
John Craine
John W. Craine, Jr.
