|
Captain's Log
DATE July 6, 2007
The Tuesday after we left underway
training around Lanai became kind of a slow down day for
everybody to reorient a bit from the hectic pace we had been
experiencing since joining the ship in Honolulu. The ship
transitioned from the getting settled-in mode and special
underway training regime, to the normal cruise training
programs of: watch, daywork and practical training. We
finally initiated the great circle route towards the
northern coast of Luzon PI. It was good to finally start a
regular daily routine.
Of course Wednesday was the fourth of
July. As we usually do on cruise two, we celebrated our
nation’s birthday with a little patriotic program here
onboard. At the end of the day, we hoisted our large 8’ x
12’ flag.
The steward’s department prepared a
traditional 4th’s BBQ of sliders and rollers
along with the obligatory sides of beans, potato salad, corn
and watermelon. Then they topped it off with a spectacular 4th
of July flag cake.
A slice of traditional Americana right
on the stern of the GOLDEN BEAR.
I usually take time and make a few
patriotic remarks to the assembled crew and this year we
took a few moments of silence to remember our lost shipmate
from cruise 1, cadet Ben Daviscourt, while we listened to
the hymn Eternal Father. After that, we played a few rousing
patriotic songs including the classic Stars And Stripes
Forever and finishing with the National Anthem.
As our county’s anthem was concluding, and in way of the
traditional fireworks salute, the Chief Mate had several
students fire off thirteen expired parachute flares in honor
of our heritage and flag. The BBQ was a good way to wind
down a little and to have our Texas students, who have never
been aboard before, feel welcome and a part of the crew that
is cruise 2.
The next day we held our second
crew-wide emergency drill. While the fire teams and the
other crew in different parts of the Mobile Emergency Group
were fitting out their turn out gear and reviewing response
tactics, we practiced preparing the survival craft in case
we ever need to evacuate the ship to the sea. These two
pictures show Texas Maritime’s Captain Smith, who is our
assigned on-deck commander, instructing cadets on lifeboat
engine operation.
Since there are four motor lifeboats,
instruction occurs in other boats as well.
As the drill concludes and everyone has
become familiar with what their duties are, the survival
craft are restowed for sea.
As we continue on our seventeen day
transit, we’ll write about more of the training details and
what we are experiencing in this Pacific crossing.
Captain Leyda
..
|
