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Captain's Log
DATE July 20, 2007
As I mentioned in the last Log, we
conducted a full-speed engine test on Monday. Here are two
pictures of that test. The first shows our computerized
engine monitoring console. In this graphic display, you can
see the status of each of the engine’s sixteen cylinders.
As we worked the engines up to full
speed, you can se the Chief Engineer Tom Mader, Watch
Engineer Buddy Fredrickson (Texas Maritime) and Electrician
Mick Bowlin all monitoring engine and control system
function.
 [
It is good that we test things ahead of
when we expect to need them. After our engine test, we
experienced some significant computer engine control
problems with one of our main engines. One of the system
files that control the engine became corrupted. It took us
better than a day to correct this problem with lots of phone
calls to a shore technician. Once we reconfigured the file
to its original register values, engine permissives were
re-enabled and we could start the engine again. Everything
is now as it should be and we are back to full operating
capability.
This year we have a new medical team
aboard. This medical team are man and wife, both
experienced ER doctors who have worked at sea before on
passenger vessels. Normally we carry a doctor and an RN.
This year our medical team consists of Dr. Laurene Spencer,
Dr. Mike Wood, and Joan Keane from CMA’s Health Center staff
who will be departing us in Hong Kong.
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The ship is equipped with a large stock
of medical supplies for many potential contingencies. This
is the main medical storeroom.
The training ship has the capability
for minor surgery, basic x-ray and to isolate up to six
patients in our medical ward.
So far, we have had only minor
illnesses and a few scraps and little need to use all of
this great gear – knock on wood.
This Thursday’s emergency drill was a
full-speed fire scenario response in another crew laundry
area. The teams are now practiced at rapid suiting up and
deployment and are beginning to show excellent signs of
multiple team cooperation in tactics. Here we see a fire
teams converging on the entrance to the laundry together.
The instructing officer (Scott Saarheim
in the white hardhat) is right on the scene to assist the
cadets in procedures as well as orchestrating the action
with a bit of role playing.
Land ho!! Early in the approaching
morning twilight on Saturday July 20th, we
finally sighted the distant mountain peaks of northern Luzon
Island Philippines (right where it was supposed to be).
Actually, the PI consists of well over 7,000 islands; Luzon
being one of the largest. It has been a long seventeen day
passage to get here and the excitement of finally making
landfall brought many people out on deck with a cup of
coffee to see this big event in the tranquil dawn. In this
weather chart graphic, you can see the ship’s great circle
route from Hawaii across the central Pacific to get to this
passage north of Luzon.
Subic Bay lies on the west coast of
Luzon and north of Manila Bay. While there are several ways
through and across the PI archipelago from east to west, we
chose the northern route through the Babuyan Channel;
between the north coast of Luzon and the Babuyan Islands.
You can see this passage in this picture and on this
electronic chart depiction of our route.
Tomorrow morning, we will arrive in
Subic Bay. I will write again soon with the adventures we
discover there.
Captain Leyda
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