Captain's Blog 1/27/12

DATE 1/27 FRI
TIME 0224 LT (ZD +5), 0724 GMT ARRIVAL
LAT 2-46S
LON 80-30W
C 078
S 15 K
RPM 60
DEPTH 17.8 METERS
WIND LT AIRS
SKY 7/8
PRES 1012
AIR 75/73
SEA 79
12 NM WEST OF DATA DE POSORJA

FWE 0742 LT, 1242 GMT

Guayaquil is 50 miles up the Chaga River - low lying marshes and shrimp farms all along the way. Of course the pilot was telling us how beautiful it was, but you don't see too much when it's 3:00 in the morning.

We made it to Guayaquil shortly after seven, were granted free pratique at 0800, but did not get the cadets off until nearly 1030 as we needed to give them a lecture on the unique safety and security concerns of the port.

We had the privilege of having a representative from NCIS out of Quito, and an Associate Counsel for the US Consulate in Guayaquil. The words were foreboding, but the risks are no greater than when we call at places like Piraeus, Greece. The weather is hot, but there has been an overcast cloud layer that made it bearable.

We chartered a bus, but as we send so many cadets ashore on the first day of liberty, there was a backup. But we expanded choices for the cadets with a reputable cab company, and before you knew it the dock was clear of cadets. I hope they all have a safe and enjoyable port visit in this port. More tomorrow