Captain's Blog 2/2/12

DATE 2/2 THUR
TIME 0800LT (ZD +5), 1300 GMT ARRIVAL
LAT 8-50N
LON 79-22W
C 011
S 11.0 K
RPM 53
DEPTH 29 METERS
WIND NORTH FORCE 3
SKY 6/8
PRES 1011
AIR 75-68
SEA 73
8 NM EAST OF ISLA TABOGUILLA, PANAMA PREPARING TO ANCHOR

This morning we rose to another cloudy day, a little gloomy as we head into Panama. But today was an anchor drill day, when the first class cadets can hone some skills in shiphandling, anchoring and engine maneuvering. We selected an anchorage spot off in a corner of the anchorage where few ships were, and approached from the east. The weather was perfect for it, very little wind and no discernible currents.

Three watch sections took turns as we anchored, heaved and repeated the process three times. The bridge watch determines the proper positioning of the vessel, the conning cadet calls for course and engine speed changes, the bow detail is handing the anchor windlass, and the engine watch is answering the bells. It is all very interesting, and an invaluable experience for them, as often when those operations are taking place I have the conn and the Engineering officers are working to make sure no mistakes are made.

In the close proximately of docks or other ships, we cannot allow mistakes since the ship's momentum might make recovery almost impossible. So, we are now swinging on four shots of anchor chain with the port anchor -awaiting boarding by the Panama Canal authorities and our agent. We had better rest up because this is a very busy social port.

We have cadets going to visit the Panama Canal Pilots training center where they have a new 360 degree simulator, inclusive of every inch of the Canal and another group will visit the lock systems at Miraflores. On Friday night there will be an alumni sponsored dinner for all alumni and professors aboard.

On Saturday we host a large group from the US Embassy for a tour, and then later on we'll have a media team from the Embassy aboard to interview our Panamanian cadets. Then Saturday night we will host a Ship's Reception, with alumni, Embassy officials, Panamanian Authorities from the government and the Canal, faculty and students from the International Maritime University of Panama (UMIP), as well as our cadets doing an exchange study at UMIP. Sounds like a busy night - and then there is the Super Bowl and the Patriots.

More tomorrow...