SST: June 21, 2009
21 June 2009
Enroute Reykjavik to Belfast
NOON POSITION REPORT – 20 JUNE 2009
T/S EMPIRE STATE KKFW
LAT: 66° – 59.9’ N LONG: 014° – 46.0’ W
COURSE: 086°
DIST BY OBS: 204.9 NM/ 447.4 NM
ENGINE DISTANCE: 229.0/ 488.0
SLIP: 10.5/8.3
LENGTH OF DAY: 23 HRS/ 49 HRS
AVE SPEED: 8.9 KTS/ 9.1 KTS
FUEL CONSUMPTION: 230 BBLS/ 493 BBLS
FUEL ROB: 9130 BBLS
MDO ROB: 599 BBLS
POTABLE WATER ROB: 673 T
DISTILLED WATER ROB: 223 T
SEA STATE: N/4
WIND: NxW/3
NEXT PORT: Belfast, No. Ireland
DIST TO GO: 1071 NM
ETA : 0100 LT/ 25 JUNE 2009
Voyage Update
The decision to stay in Iceland the extra day has indeed paid off, as we have had some of the nicest weather on this leg of the trip to date. Following behind a deep low, but far enough behind to reap the benefits of following seas and clearing skies, our transit has been unforgettable- calm, clear, and almost surrealistic with daylight most of the day (in fact 23 hours yesterday), unlimited visibility, and no traffic with the exception of marine life – mainly pods of whales, and marine birds. The first two days out of port, we were in sight of the majestic glaciers, and snow covered peaks of the west and north coast of Iceland. As we have left the coast, and are now headed SE’ly towards the tip of the Shetland Isles, we are by ourselves, except for King Neptune and his court who paid a visit to the ship this date. The cadets always want to do certain things on cruise, and providing the opportunity to allow them these experiences is what it is all about. My thanks to Mate Peter Vecchio, and LCDR John Yesko for the hard work and planning in making this a special experience. Further thanks to FSA (Faculty Student Association) for assisting with the certificates to be provided for all of those who have now joined the Society of the Blue Noses.
The next part of the trip will bring the possibility of fog, increasing traffic off of the coast, and exceptional piloting and maneuvering for the deck/engine cadets. We will be transiting Pentland Firth, a narrow pass on the northern extreme of Scotland mid day on the 23rd, and then will be arriving in Belfast early morning on the 25th, as planned. Classes, watches and maintenance continue, and our 1/C engineering cadets are on the home stretch in their seminar exams. To all of the Fathers out there, a Happy Father’s Day from EMPIRE STATE. Finally, to end this Blog, please note the article written by one of our Yeoman onboard – Betty Stephens, wife of Marine Transportation Lecturer, Captain Hugh Stephens, also onboard for his first trip, and an article on the Blue Nose Ceremony written by Librarian Richard Delbango.
King Neptune and the Blue Noses
A mysterious scroll appeared in a bottle found on deck Friday evening. It
was a summons from one Davey Jones for all onboard to appear on deck
Sunday afternoon before the presence of King Neptune and his court. The
summons said the King would induct all who have crossed into his icy realm
into the Order of the Bluenose if they proved worthy. Amazed, no one knew
what to make of it, so they posted the scroll for all to see.
On Sunday at 13:00 everyone on the ship gathered in anticipation around
the aft hatch. Rising from the sea came the royal procession and
magnificent it was. There was the King’s burly Sergeant at Arms with a
squad of the King’s police, the Kings Barber, Davey Jones, the beautiful
but terrifying Sea Hag and, in all his glory out of the mist, was King
Neptune himself.
The King demanded certain sailors to come and kneel before him and to
answer the questions of the Sea Hag. Those failing to do so were made
slaves. They were bound, shaved and then forced to crawl through the
belly of the King’s pet polar bear. Those making it through then had to
be cleansed by the sea to make them true seamen. After their cleansing
they were declared worthy to toast the King and partake in a feast
prepared by his cooks. Finally, the King’s fools painted the noses of all
who survived, blue.
When the slaves had completed their trials, all of the crew who had never
previously been honored, were asked to endure the same. Many rose to the
occasion. With all those brave enough to step foreword finished, the King
bade us all farewell and disappeared back into the sea leaving everyone
with the question; “Did that really just happen?” Then they looked around
at all the blue noses of their fellow sailors and knew it did.
Richard Delbango
Ship's Librarian
GOOD WILL AMBASSADORS
The 2009 Sea Training Term offered a challenge for a senior citizen to have a career change. I signed on ship’s articles as a Ship’s Technical Yeoman to assist both the Deck and Engineering Training Departments. After reporting aboard, I realized it would not be a pleasure cruise and was ready for the work ahead.
My excitement was great in becoming a professional seaman, after forty five years of being married to one. Gaining TWIC (Transportation Worker’s Identification Card), MMD (Merchant Marine Document) and Maritime ID’s was truly a daunting and length task. My maritime safety executive experience would be helpful, but 600 cadets.... American, Turkish, Bahamian, Grenadine, Jamaican, Panamanian...how could I get to know them...would they accept me?
Could they accept me?
To my joy and surprise, they started right in taking care of me, instead of me of taking care of them, as I had anticipated.
In Gibraltar, when my husband left me while he got his haircut, a group of cadets stopped by to ask if I needed help while I was sitting down to wait for him. They asked if there was anything I needed; was I having a problem, or might they sit with me while I awaited his return? This concern for the older generation is not prevalent in our society so I naturally found it very welcome. We hung out together and we became shipmates.
In Iceland, when my husband and I approached the jitney bus, there were enough cadets ahead of us to fill the next two buses. We stood at the end of the line awaiting our turn. In a split second, a first classman commanded, “make way for the Stephens’ “, and ushered us up to the head of the line. Along the way, there were friendly smiles as they all stood aside. When we stepped aboard, there were no readily available seats. Two cadets immediately got up and offered us theirs.
I’m so proud of the youth of both genders aboard the T/S “EMPIRE STATE”. They are courteous, polite and considerate. I came to help them and they so many times befriended me on a one-to-one basis. Both the academic plus the hands-on education is preparing them well for our industry. This attitude in the Regiment is so refreshing. I just want them all to know how much I appreciate it. This has been an adventure.
-Betty Stephens
