The long winter of New England has not let us escape. Let’s not ignore the fact that we have been working against 35 knots winds, 12-15 foot seas, and driving snow for the past 36-hours, and wind and fog before a day before that.
The Kennedy has a nice layer of about a half-inch of snow on all the weather decks. I know, that isn't much, but on steel even coated with non-skid, it can be like an ice rink. And, when you slip and slid the deck inclines toward the rail, which is very unforgiving to the body.
In consultation with Admiral Gurnon – our local meteorologist in Buzzards Bay – and the weather maps I receive via facsimile machine – the forecast for Sunday has the potential for going south. The issue isn't the precipitation, but the wind. If it climbs over 25 knots, we don’t go to the dock. Couple that with the pretty firm forecast for better weather on Saturday, and worse weather Monday on
– WE HAVE DECIDED TO BRING THE SHIP INTO BUZZARDS BAY ON SATURDAY.
Our new docking time will be 1105 Saturday, 21 February. Observers can expect to see Kennedy enter the East End of the Cape Cod Canal between 0915 and 0930. We will then be at the Rail Road Bridge at 1045 to make up tugs and creep toward the dock waiting for the slack water.
So, even with a rough night’s sleep while the ship was rocking and rolling, the cadets are sitting down to take final exams. Later today we will do a truncated Field Day where training and public spaces are thoroughly cleaned and shined up.
Parents that have been told by their cadets that they have a watch will see no changes due to this early arrival. Most cadets assigned load-off on Monday and Tuesday will not change – but some will be given the opportunity to volunteer for watch on Saturday until Sunday. But rest assured,your cadets will know the changes before we are in cell phone range this evening. And I know they will call you to tell you how salty they now are!
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