SST: May 23, 2009
23 May 2009
Saturday was another beautiful day. The ship has slowed down a bit, so the air conditioning was working, especially in the lower decks, where it was most appreciated. Three cadets celebrated their birthdays: Connor Burke, Christina George, and Samuel Fowle. The sea was a little rougher on Saturday as well, so the rolling of the ship was more noticeable. The Empire State doesn’t have state-of-the-art stabilizers like modern cruise ships, so you really know you’re on a ship when you sail on her.
This is our sixth full day at sea and mostly everyone has fallen into their regular routines of working, studying, watch keeping, relaxing, eating, and sleeping. Everyone tends to be very purposeful on a ship! This afternoon, I spent some time in the chart room watching a group of third class deck cadets learn the rudiments of charting an ocean-going course. Part of the Maritime educational process is to have older cadets help younger cadets with their work. This is a good system. It reinforces the lessons for the older students while passing them on to the younger ones. It also trains them all in understanding how interdependent mariners are in terms of helping and mentoring each other at sea. I was impressed by the patience and expertise displayed by all the students involved.
Afterwards I stopped by the bridge. Several cadets were on watch, surveying the horizon with binoculars, while another cadet was at the helm, steering a steady course. As always, other cadets were quietly watching while seasoned professionals kept a steady eye on things. When Captain Smith isn’t there, the cadets are under the direction of one of the three watch standing mates. This year, Captain Smith has enlisted three exceptional mates in the form of Charlie Stocking (0400-0800 and 1600-2000), now on his fifth cruise; Tom Phillips (0800-1200 and 2000-2400),serving as ship’s navigator and a graduate of 2004, and Morgan McManus (0000-0400 and 1200-1600), Captain of one of the sister ship’s of the Empire State. The bridge is actually the quietest place on the ship, maintaining an atmosphere of calm. I always leave the bridge feeling I’m in good hands.
Due to the delay at Montauk, and based on our current schedule, we will officially be arriving in the Azores on the morning of the 27th, and sailing a day later than planned on the 30th. The remainder of the itinerary will be maintained, and in this way, no one will lose out on liberty time. As Captain Smith stated to the top rates today, we have to keep everyone on an even basis, and this is why the itinerary has some built in catch up time. With predicted continuing good weather, I don’t think anyone will mind either way.
