It's been over a week and a half since any of us has stepped on dry land. The mini city that is the Empire State VI keeps humming along towards home. As finals draw near, everyone is getting anxious. Supposedly we are to reach Montauk on Saturday
afternoon and anchor there for some last minute drills. On Sunday, we will move south and west along Long Island to sandy Hook where we will anchor again overnight. Monday morning we will take the pilot on board and begin the last part of the
voyage through New York harbor and up the East River. The ship is scheduled to dock at 10 AM to be greeted by loved ones welcoming their sailors home. The adventure that was the Summer Sea Term 2015 will be over.
I can't wait.
Wednesday, August 5, 2015
Thursday, July 30, 2015
It's a Beautiful Day
I can't fault the weather on this cruise, it has been spectacular. Other than a few sprinkles in Belfast and some cloudy days sailing to the Mediterranean, it has been nothing but sunshine. Today in the mid-Atlantic, it is absolutely gorgeous.
Light seas, warm temperatures and an unlimited view to the horizon. Days like this make me regret being stuck in the bowels of the ship for eight hours a day, but this is a job not a pleasure cruise. No deck chairs with a waiter delivering cold
drinks. No pool with a water slide. No shuffleboard. But the few minutes I can sit on the deck enjoying a good cigar make it all worthwhile.
Light seas, warm temperatures and an unlimited view to the horizon. Days like this make me regret being stuck in the bowels of the ship for eight hours a day, but this is a job not a pleasure cruise. No deck chairs with a waiter delivering cold
drinks. No pool with a water slide. No shuffleboard. But the few minutes I can sit on the deck enjoying a good cigar make it all worthwhile.
Tuesday, July 28, 2015
The Azores
We haven't seen land since leaving the coast of Spain behind us on Saturday morning. The seas were a little choppy that night, nothing too bad for me. I just has to make sure everything was secured so it didn't fly around my cabin. Some cadets
didn't take it so well and the sick bay had a run on seasick medicine. Today when I woke up, we were in sight of land. Sao Miguel in the Azores was off our starboard side. I learned we had to drop off a cadet who was ill and needed more medical
attention than the sick bay could provide. So we stopped off at the island and a boat took him to shore to be treated. After sailing around a bit, we received word that the cadet was going to have to be left there so we continued on westward
toward home.
didn't take it so well and the sick bay had a run on seasick medicine. Today when I woke up, we were in sight of land. Sao Miguel in the Azores was off our starboard side. I learned we had to drop off a cadet who was ill and needed more medical
attention than the sick bay could provide. So we stopped off at the island and a boat took him to shore to be treated. After sailing around a bit, we received word that the cadet was going to have to be left there so we continued on westward
toward home.
Saturday, July 25, 2015
Cadiz
We've left our last port, Cadiz, and it was a memorable one. When we docked Tuesday, we looked for the buses to take us to town and we were told none were needed because the main part of Cadiz was at the end of the dock. Right they were. The old
city, the best part, was right at our doorstep. This city was amazing. Its history stretches back 3500 years to the Phoenicians who made a trading port here. It has also been ruled by the Romans, the Visigoths, the Moors and the present-day
Spanish. Columbus sailed two of his four journeys to the New World from this port. It has been attacked by the English, Dutch, French and Barbary pirates over the years. Huge walls remain around much of the old city as testament to those ancient
battles. The old city is a warren of alleys and squares dating from the 1500's. Cadiz had the monopoly on Spanish new world trade from 1700 and the fortunes brought in built this city as it is today. The magnificent cathedral in the center is
testament to the wealth of this trade. The streets are filled with shops, cafes and restaurants. There was plenty for everyone to do in the old city alone. I went to a great Flamenco performance at the cafe La Cava on Friday night
But present-day Cadiz is much larger. The new city to the east, also has a trove of attractions. There are two gorgeous beaches there that were in walking distance of the pier. I spent Friday afternoon at one, La Playa de la Victoria,
swimming and soaking in the sun.
The College, as usual, arranged some great trips. I went on a jeep safari that took us east along the beautiful coast as far as Trafalgar, visiting cliffs, a fishing village and some fun beach towns. In addition, I took a day long trip to
Seville, 100 miles to the North. We got to visit the Spanish Square, the Cathedral, the Alcazar Palace and many of the other sites of this great city. The tomb of Christopher Columbus is located in the cathedral.
With everyone back on the ship and accounted for, we departed on Saturday morning, heading west to return home. We have 16 days of sailing and lots of work ahead of us, with no more rest, until the end of this voyage. On to New York.
city, the best part, was right at our doorstep. This city was amazing. Its history stretches back 3500 years to the Phoenicians who made a trading port here. It has also been ruled by the Romans, the Visigoths, the Moors and the present-day
Spanish. Columbus sailed two of his four journeys to the New World from this port. It has been attacked by the English, Dutch, French and Barbary pirates over the years. Huge walls remain around much of the old city as testament to those ancient
battles. The old city is a warren of alleys and squares dating from the 1500's. Cadiz had the monopoly on Spanish new world trade from 1700 and the fortunes brought in built this city as it is today. The magnificent cathedral in the center is
testament to the wealth of this trade. The streets are filled with shops, cafes and restaurants. There was plenty for everyone to do in the old city alone. I went to a great Flamenco performance at the cafe La Cava on Friday night
But present-day Cadiz is much larger. The new city to the east, also has a trove of attractions. There are two gorgeous beaches there that were in walking distance of the pier. I spent Friday afternoon at one, La Playa de la Victoria,
swimming and soaking in the sun.
The College, as usual, arranged some great trips. I went on a jeep safari that took us east along the beautiful coast as far as Trafalgar, visiting cliffs, a fishing village and some fun beach towns. In addition, I took a day long trip to
Seville, 100 miles to the North. We got to visit the Spanish Square, the Cathedral, the Alcazar Palace and many of the other sites of this great city. The tomb of Christopher Columbus is located in the cathedral.
With everyone back on the ship and accounted for, we departed on Saturday morning, heading west to return home. We have 16 days of sailing and lots of work ahead of us, with no more rest, until the end of this voyage. On to New York.
Monday, July 20, 2015
Bunkering
Ships need fuel and the Empire State VI is no exception. After travelling thousands of miles, it was time to gas up for the journey home. This is known as "bunkering" in nautical terminology. The bunkering services at Gibratar are well known to
sailors for their price and convenience. It is located at the convergence of two great continents, Europe and Africa, and the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. It is probably the busiest area in the world for shipping.
The techniques of bunkering are essential for mariners to learn. On Monday morning we anchored off the coast of Gibralar. The bunkering tanker pulled up aside and connected its hoses and began pumping. Smoking and cell phone use were banned
from the ship for the duration of the process as the smell of petroleum filled the air. The process took 9 hours as we took on tons of fuel. Filled up by 2000 (8 PM), we raised anchor and headed out to the Atlantic and our last port of Cadiz. We
are scheduled to arrive Tuesday evening, July 21, for 4 days of rest and relaxation before crossing the ocean and returning back to New York.
sailors for their price and convenience. It is located at the convergence of two great continents, Europe and Africa, and the meeting point of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea. It is probably the busiest area in the world for shipping.
The techniques of bunkering are essential for mariners to learn. On Monday morning we anchored off the coast of Gibralar. The bunkering tanker pulled up aside and connected its hoses and began pumping. Smoking and cell phone use were banned
from the ship for the duration of the process as the smell of petroleum filled the air. The process took 9 hours as we took on tons of fuel. Filled up by 2000 (8 PM), we raised anchor and headed out to the Atlantic and our last port of Cadiz. We
are scheduled to arrive Tuesday evening, July 21, for 4 days of rest and relaxation before crossing the ocean and returning back to New York.
Sunday, July 19, 2015
Hot, hot, hot!
Since the Captain decided to stay in the Med for an extra few days, we've been sailing in extremely warm waters, about 85 degrees. Because the ship derives its cooling from the water around us, the air conditioning has not been working very
well. My cabin and the library are tolerable, but the halls of the ship are like a sauna. Hopefully, when we reach the cooler waters of the Atlantic, things will improve. One thing that may contradict this is that we are expecting to bunker
(take on fuel) in Gibraltar on the way out of the Med. This fuel is stored in tanks directly below the library and is so thick that it has to be heated to 150 degrees to flow. Despite an insulated floor, much of this heat rises into the library.
On other cruises, it has gotten so hot, that I've had to shut the library because it was unhealthy to work there. We will see.
We are expecting to dock in Cadiz, Spain sometime Tuesday evening the 21st. This is the last port of the cruise. I am looking forward to explore the city which is supposed to be the oldest continually occupied city in western Europe. I am going
on a side trip to Seville, about 40 miles away on Thursday. This should be an enjoyable port. After that, it's 2+ weeks of solid work until we arrive home.
well. My cabin and the library are tolerable, but the halls of the ship are like a sauna. Hopefully, when we reach the cooler waters of the Atlantic, things will improve. One thing that may contradict this is that we are expecting to bunker
(take on fuel) in Gibraltar on the way out of the Med. This fuel is stored in tanks directly below the library and is so thick that it has to be heated to 150 degrees to flow. Despite an insulated floor, much of this heat rises into the library.
On other cruises, it has gotten so hot, that I've had to shut the library because it was unhealthy to work there. We will see.
We are expecting to dock in Cadiz, Spain sometime Tuesday evening the 21st. This is the last port of the cruise. I am looking forward to explore the city which is supposed to be the oldest continually occupied city in western Europe. I am going
on a side trip to Seville, about 40 miles away on Thursday. This should be an enjoyable port. After that, it's 2+ weeks of solid work until we arrive home.
Thursday, July 16, 2015
Sailing the Strait of Messina
The Captain decided that the distance from Mallorca to Cadiz was a little too short for us to enjoy the beautiful Mediterranean. He took us on a detour east so that those of us who joined the 'B" cruise could get a glimpse of Italy. This
morning we entered the Strait of Messina, the narrow channel between Sicily and the "toe" of the Italian mainland. At its narrowest, the Strait is only 2.5 miles wide and only 12 miles at its widest. We're so close you feel that you could swim to
Italy. We should get through by this evening, then swing around to the east and sail a few more days on the calm Mediterranean to Cadiz.
morning we entered the Strait of Messina, the narrow channel between Sicily and the "toe" of the Italian mainland. At its narrowest, the Strait is only 2.5 miles wide and only 12 miles at its widest. We're so close you feel that you could swim to
Italy. We should get through by this evening, then swing around to the east and sail a few more days on the calm Mediterranean to Cadiz.
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
Sailing Around Aimlessly
Since we departed Mallorca harbor last Saturday, we haven't gotten very far. Actually only about two miles or so away, still in sight of Palma. The Captain decided to take advantage of the calm seas around
here to have 3 days of practical seamanship ship drills. These include damage control exercises, boat drills, equipment operation and man-overboard manouvers. We anchored for 2 of the nights, but otherwise
we've been just leisurely sailing around in circles at a very slow pace. The cadets love the fact that we are still in cell phone range and the decks have been full of them calling and texting home in their
spare time. Sometimes, when they are supposed to be working. We started moving west this morning toward our next destination which we think is Cadiz, Spain on the Atlantic coast. On the way, we are scheduled to stop for fuel at Gibraltar at the
mouth of the Mediterranean.
I'm looking forward to the cooler seas of the Atlantic. The ship's air conditioning is dependant on the water around us and the Med is too warm for the AC to work very well. Also, if we take on fuel, the tanks are directly below the library. The
thick oil has to be heated to 150 degrees to flow and much of that heat, despite an insulated floor, rises into the library. If the air conditioning is not working at its maximum, I suffer badly. On previous voyages, I've had to shut the library
for excessive temperatures.
here to have 3 days of practical seamanship ship drills. These include damage control exercises, boat drills, equipment operation and man-overboard manouvers. We anchored for 2 of the nights, but otherwise
we've been just leisurely sailing around in circles at a very slow pace. The cadets love the fact that we are still in cell phone range and the decks have been full of them calling and texting home in their
spare time. Sometimes, when they are supposed to be working. We started moving west this morning toward our next destination which we think is Cadiz, Spain on the Atlantic coast. On the way, we are scheduled to stop for fuel at Gibraltar at the
mouth of the Mediterranean.
I'm looking forward to the cooler seas of the Atlantic. The ship's air conditioning is dependant on the water around us and the Med is too warm for the AC to work very well. Also, if we take on fuel, the tanks are directly below the library. The
thick oil has to be heated to 150 degrees to flow and much of that heat, despite an insulated floor, rises into the library. If the air conditioning is not working at its maximum, I suffer badly. On previous voyages, I've had to shut the library
for excessive temperatures.
Thursday, July 9, 2015
Palma, Mallorca
After trials and tribulations of international diplomacy, we finally reached a port that welcomed us;
Palma, Mallorca. The largest of Spain's Baleric Islands, Mallorca is a tropical paradise in the
Mediterranean. Having cruised the Mediterranean for what seemed forever and viewing islands that we
could not dock at, everyone aboard was ready to set foot on dry land. We entered Palma harbor Tuesday
evening passing a half dozen of the largest cruise ships afloat already in port. The marinas are also
full with private boats and yachts, one almost the size of the Empire State. The city is full of tourists
from around the world.
The Empire State docked around 18:00 at the furthest dock in the harbor. When the ship was secured,
leave was granted and the some of the cadets and crew were off to enjoy themselves in this cosmopolitan
city. It is a pictuesque town with an ancient history reflected in its architecture. Everyone is enjoying
the variety of food available at the hundreds of resturants and cafes.The food is reasonable and delicious. Shopping is everywhere, from
Cartier jewelry to cheap souveniers. Pearls are a speciality of Mallorca. It seems that every other
store is a pearl shop.
The College arranged several tours and activities to keep everyone occupied. The most popular was a tour
of the Caves of Dracht (Dragon Caves), about 50 miles east of Palma. These caves are chock full of
stalagtites and stalagmites formed through millions of years of erosion. There is also a large
underground lake at the bottom and we were treated to a short classical music concert by musicians
sailing on a lighted rowboat in the darkened cave. It was an amazing exprience. There were also
snorkeling and scuba tours as well as a deep sea fishing expedition. I chose not to do any of those. The
beaches have also been popular. There is a small, rocky beach that is in walking distance from the ship, a nude beach!
The busses that take us to town also stop at the large town beach just east of the city. The
Mediterranean is the perfect temperature for swimming.
We ship out again on the morning of July 11 and it is back to work for 10 days or so until our next port.
Sorry I haven't uploaded any pics. I couldn't get to wifi yet in port. These updates are done through simple email. I have sent pics to the Maritime College and you can view them on my official college version of this blog. I don't have the
URL, but you can Google SUNY Maritime College Luce Library blog to find it.
Palma, Mallorca. The largest of Spain's Baleric Islands, Mallorca is a tropical paradise in the
Mediterranean. Having cruised the Mediterranean for what seemed forever and viewing islands that we
could not dock at, everyone aboard was ready to set foot on dry land. We entered Palma harbor Tuesday
evening passing a half dozen of the largest cruise ships afloat already in port. The marinas are also
full with private boats and yachts, one almost the size of the Empire State. The city is full of tourists
from around the world.
The Empire State docked around 18:00 at the furthest dock in the harbor. When the ship was secured,
leave was granted and the some of the cadets and crew were off to enjoy themselves in this cosmopolitan
city. It is a pictuesque town with an ancient history reflected in its architecture. Everyone is enjoying
the variety of food available at the hundreds of resturants and cafes.The food is reasonable and delicious. Shopping is everywhere, from
Cartier jewelry to cheap souveniers. Pearls are a speciality of Mallorca. It seems that every other
store is a pearl shop.
The College arranged several tours and activities to keep everyone occupied. The most popular was a tour
of the Caves of Dracht (Dragon Caves), about 50 miles east of Palma. These caves are chock full of
stalagtites and stalagmites formed through millions of years of erosion. There is also a large
underground lake at the bottom and we were treated to a short classical music concert by musicians
sailing on a lighted rowboat in the darkened cave. It was an amazing exprience. There were also
snorkeling and scuba tours as well as a deep sea fishing expedition. I chose not to do any of those. The
beaches have also been popular. There is a small, rocky beach that is in walking distance from the ship, a nude beach!
The busses that take us to town also stop at the large town beach just east of the city. The
Mediterranean is the perfect temperature for swimming.
We ship out again on the morning of July 11 and it is back to work for 10 days or so until our next port.
Sorry I haven't uploaded any pics. I couldn't get to wifi yet in port. These updates are done through simple email. I have sent pics to the Maritime College and you can view them on my official college version of this blog. I don't have the
URL, but you can Google SUNY Maritime College Luce Library blog to find it.
Sunday, July 5, 2015
Independence Day at Sea
Because everyone on board has to stick to the schedule, the 4th of July was no holiday from work on the Empire State VI. Regular Saturday work and class schedules were in effect. That doesn't mean we didn't get to celebrate. The crew from
Chartwell's food service set up big barbeque grills on the sun deck, grilling burgers, franks and chicken breasts. There were plenty of salads to go along with the meats and ice cream sundaes for dessert. They even set up a cotton candy machine.
Many cadets got into the spirit decking themselves out out in red, white and blue. Flags were everywhere. For dinner, Chartwells broke out steaks and baked potatoes as well as a huge American flag cake. No fireworks at sea though. Even barring
local laws, fireworks could be misconstrued as emergency flares.
The Mediterranean has been beautiful since we entered it. Sunny and hot. We're slowly steaming around in calm waters awaiting final confirmation that Palma, Majorca (Mallorca) will be our next port on July 7. Although there is some disappointment
about missing Split, cadets and crew are anxious to hit dry land somewhere.
Chartwell's food service set up big barbeque grills on the sun deck, grilling burgers, franks and chicken breasts. There were plenty of salads to go along with the meats and ice cream sundaes for dessert. They even set up a cotton candy machine.
Many cadets got into the spirit decking themselves out out in red, white and blue. Flags were everywhere. For dinner, Chartwells broke out steaks and baked potatoes as well as a huge American flag cake. No fireworks at sea though. Even barring
local laws, fireworks could be misconstrued as emergency flares.
The Mediterranean has been beautiful since we entered it. Sunny and hot. We're slowly steaming around in calm waters awaiting final confirmation that Palma, Majorca (Mallorca) will be our next port on July 7. Although there is some disappointment
about missing Split, cadets and crew are anxious to hit dry land somewhere.
Thursday, July 2, 2015
Sailing to Split..err, Somewhere Else
There has been no land in sight since Sunday. The seas South of Belfast have been mildly active. There
has been constant rolling, but nothing too bad other than one or two rough jolts. The food locker in the
Officer's Mess was more than a little messy Wednesday morning when all of the salad dressings and yougurt
spilled. I haven't heard of anything worse. The sun eluded us the whole way until it finally showed
itself on Wednesday afternoon. Thursday remains sunny as we near the Mediterranean.
The cadets and crew have settled into a busy routine of classes, work and some rest and relaxation where
they can get it. The Library has been busy in the evenings.
Everyone was looking foreward to arriving at Split, Croatia next week. That is until Wednesday
afternoon. The Captain informed us that, despite months of planning, Croatia doesn't want us. There has
been some disagreement between the U.S State Department and Croatia over our berthing rights. Captain
Smith, resourceful as usual, has been scrambling to find us another port to keep us on schedule. It looks
(about 99% certain) that we will be going to Majorca, Spain instead. This means our last two ports will
both be in Spain. At least we won't have to deal with any leftover Croatian Kunas (money) and as we will
have the Euro in both ports. I'm sure the cadets won't be disappointed with Majorca as it is a lively,
cosmopolitan island with lots of entertainment and great beaches. So as we push on toward the Strait of
Gibraltar, we have to remember that it is all about the journey, not the destination.
has been constant rolling, but nothing too bad other than one or two rough jolts. The food locker in the
Officer's Mess was more than a little messy Wednesday morning when all of the salad dressings and yougurt
spilled. I haven't heard of anything worse. The sun eluded us the whole way until it finally showed
itself on Wednesday afternoon. Thursday remains sunny as we near the Mediterranean.
The cadets and crew have settled into a busy routine of classes, work and some rest and relaxation where
they can get it. The Library has been busy in the evenings.
Everyone was looking foreward to arriving at Split, Croatia next week. That is until Wednesday
afternoon. The Captain informed us that, despite months of planning, Croatia doesn't want us. There has
been some disagreement between the U.S State Department and Croatia over our berthing rights. Captain
Smith, resourceful as usual, has been scrambling to find us another port to keep us on schedule. It looks
(about 99% certain) that we will be going to Majorca, Spain instead. This means our last two ports will
both be in Spain. At least we won't have to deal with any leftover Croatian Kunas (money) and as we will
have the Euro in both ports. I'm sure the cadets won't be disappointed with Majorca as it is a lively,
cosmopolitan island with lots of entertainment and great beaches. So as we push on toward the Strait of
Gibraltar, we have to remember that it is all about the journey, not the destination.
Monday, June 29, 2015
Underway
Underway
I spent Friday at Belfast's newly created Titanic Quarter, once the center of shipbuilding in the city. Today, the area that was desolate six years ago when I last visited, has been transformed into a vibrant entertainment and living district
centered around the ultra modern Titanic Museum. The building is at the location of the defunct Harland and Wolf shipyard where the Titanic was built. It is surrounded by the refurbished remnants of the shipbuilding industry including two gigantic
cranes named Samson and Goliath that are today only occasionally used to assemble windmills to power Europe. The museum is a state-of-the-art facility that concentrates on the history of Belfast shipbuilding, particularly the building of the
Titanic. While it doesn't gloss over the sinking, it minimizes it. After all, the unofficial motto of Belfast is "she was floating when she left here". To burn off the rest of my English money, I went back to the central city and took in a movie
in a beautiful, modern multiplex cinema equal to any at home. I returned to the ship by curfew, saying goodbye to a great city and resting up for departure and work.
We shoved off about 09:00 on Sunday, mooring for training at the mouth of Belfast harbor until about 19:00. We are now underway, heading south through the Irish Sea to the Mediterranean and our next port
of Split, Croatia.
Rich Delbango
Ship's Librarian
I spent Friday at Belfast's newly created Titanic Quarter, once the center of shipbuilding in the city. Today, the area that was desolate six years ago when I last visited, has been transformed into a vibrant entertainment and living district
centered around the ultra modern Titanic Museum. The building is at the location of the defunct Harland and Wolf shipyard where the Titanic was built. It is surrounded by the refurbished remnants of the shipbuilding industry including two gigantic
cranes named Samson and Goliath that are today only occasionally used to assemble windmills to power Europe. The museum is a state-of-the-art facility that concentrates on the history of Belfast shipbuilding, particularly the building of the
Titanic. While it doesn't gloss over the sinking, it minimizes it. After all, the unofficial motto of Belfast is "she was floating when she left here". To burn off the rest of my English money, I went back to the central city and took in a movie
in a beautiful, modern multiplex cinema equal to any at home. I returned to the ship by curfew, saying goodbye to a great city and resting up for departure and work.
We shoved off about 09:00 on Sunday, mooring for training at the mouth of Belfast harbor until about 19:00. We are now underway, heading south through the Irish Sea to the Mediterranean and our next port
of Split, Croatia.
Rich Delbango
Ship's Librarian
Saturday, June 27, 2015
We arrived in Belfast, Northen Ireland after midnight on Thursday and didn't get to the ship until about 1:30 AM. Exhausted, we all settled in, got some food and hit our bunks. Unfortunately, my cabin is a little less luxurious this year, located on a lower and noisier deck. To make matters worse, most of the cabins on my deck got flooded on Thursday afternoon due to a plumbing problem. Thank God all of my posessions were off the floor. Some others were not so lucky. Everything got cleaned up while I went into town for the day.
Most of Thursday was spent getting acclimated to the ship and trying to traack down the keys to the Library. I finally found them on Friday and got to check things out a bit. The Library will be opening on Sunday evening 
after we get underway.
On Friday, I and about 20 cadets took a tour of the northern coast on which we visited the Giant's Causeway and the Carrick a Reid rope bridge. New for this year were stops at locations used in the TV show Game of Thrones. Despite rain all day, we had a great time.
Today, after some shopping in town, I'm touring the Titanic museum located on the next pier from our ship. This newly built complex really enhances the dock area that was so run down on my last visit here 6 years ago. Many of the cadets have already been there and loved it.
On Sunday we cast off at high tide sometime late morning heading for Croatia.
after we get underway.
On Friday, I and about 20 cadets took a tour of the northern coast on which we visited the Giant's Causeway and the Carrick a Reid rope bridge. New for this year were stops at locations used in the TV show Game of Thrones. Despite rain all day, we had a great time.
Today, after some shopping in town, I'm touring the Titanic museum located on the next pier from our ship. This newly built complex really enhances the dock area that was so run down on my last visit here 6 years ago. Many of the cadets have already been there and loved it.
On Sunday we cast off at high tide sometime late morning heading for Croatia.
Sunday, June 21, 2015
For the fourth time I will be heading out to sea for the summer as the Ship's Librarian for the SUNY Maritime College's Summer Sea Term. I will be working on board the training ship Empire State VI and sailing the Mediterranean, Adriatic and Atlantic from June 24 to August 10. Ports include Belfast, Northern Ireland, Split Croatia and Cadiz, Spain. Follow my journey here. I will be posting pics here as well when I'm in port. I can be reached by email at Richard.Delbango@ts-empirestate.com
Disclaimer
This blog documents my travels working on the Training Ship Empire State VI for the State University of New York Maritime College. The comments and views expressed here are solely my own and do not reflect anything to do with the Maritime College.
Thursday, April 2, 2015
Friday, August 6, 2010
Almost Home
At about 11:00 this morning we rounded Montauk Point or so they told me.
It was over the horizon thus out of sight. It was a lazy afternoon. I
finished the last of my packing and my cruise report and tried to take in
the sights of the ship the rest of the day.
It was over the horizon thus out of sight. It was a lazy afternoon. I
finished the last of my packing and my cruise report and tried to take in
the sights of the ship the rest of the day.
Early on the cadets had their "Deck Wars" games on the bow. They competed
in various activities such as line tossing. The rest of the day, the
outside decks of the ship were an obstacle course. Everywhere I tried to
go on the ship there were painting and cleaning crews blocking the way.
They're trying to make the tired, old Empire State look presentable for
tomorrow's grand sail up the East River.
Right before dinner I saw something in the distance. It was the water
tower at Robert Moses State Park. Now I knew we were getting close to
home. Cell phones came out as everyone started to get service. I made
one call then headed for dinner.
It was our last dinner on board. As usual the Chartwell's folk had a
special dinner for the officers' last night; prime rib and lobster. For
desert, we had canoli, napoleons and cheesecake. Life is good sometimes.
We should be anchoring in a couple of hours between Brooklyn and Staten
Island. We'll spend the night there and about 7:00 on Saturday we'll take
aboard the pilot and any dignitaries that have been invited and start the
cruise into the harbor, up the river and then home. We should arrive at
the Fort by 10:00.
Thursday, August 5, 2010
Packing Up
The cruise is almost over. We're sailing through the Nantucket Shoals at
this point on Thursday morning. The weather is warm and clear. The seas
are calm. I closed the library for public services on Tuesday night, but
my work is not yet done. I've been chasing down scofflaws who still have
books checked out and I have to pack up and straighten the library.
this point on Thursday morning. The weather is warm and clear. The seas
are calm. I closed the library for public services on Tuesday night, but
my work is not yet done. I've been chasing down scofflaws who still have
books checked out and I have to pack up and straighten the library.
Yesterday I started packing up both my personal effects and the items from
the library that have to be returned to shore. The library packing is a
strenuous undertaking. Fifty one boxes came over to the ship before the
cruise and I expect a similar number to return. The majority of the books
remain on the ship, but many have to be returned. Most of what has to go
back is the Gove Collection of sea books. The bulk of these are large,
hardcover books and a packed case weighs about 40 lbs. I also have to
send back all of the 300+ DVDs, several cases of reference books (also
heavy) and miscellaneous supplies that are left over.
Some of the cadets are complaining about the library being shut. The
rumor is that I did it to have a few days off to relax before getting
home. Ha! This is the hardest I have worked all cruise and, to make
things worse, the AC is on the fritz again. It is hot here.
Once the packing is done and my cruise report is finished, I have to
arrange to have the cartons brought from the ship to the Luce Library
after we dock. They have to be hand carried up 2 decks, across the
gangway to the dock, placed on pallets, driven across campus and
delivered. Thank God there are plenty of cadets to do that work. When
the last box is delivered, my work is done. Then , all that is left to do
to do is to return to the ship, get signed off by the Captain, retrieve
my belongings, and head home once again bidding farewell to the Empire
State VI.
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
Sailing the Foggy Banks
We left St. John's last night in a hazy mist that turned into a dense fog
by morning. The fog lingered most of the day. It started burning off
above us, but a low fog clung to the ocean. It was weird. When you
looked up there was sun and blue sky, but when you looked out, there was
nothing but a gray mist. The air temperature in these Canadian waters has
been rather cool, 65 -70°, a refreshing change from the hot Mediterranean.
The ocean is fairly calm as we start to enter back into American waters
off the coast of Maine. We're doing about 10 knots so we will get to NY
in time. We'll be tracking by Cape Cod sometime later this week.
by morning. The fog lingered most of the day. It started burning off
above us, but a low fog clung to the ocean. It was weird. When you
looked up there was sun and blue sky, but when you looked out, there was
nothing but a gray mist. The air temperature in these Canadian waters has
been rather cool, 65 -70°, a refreshing change from the hot Mediterranean.
The ocean is fairly calm as we start to enter back into American waters
off the coast of Maine. We're doing about 10 knots so we will get to NY
in time. We'll be tracking by Cape Cod sometime later this week.
Today is the last day the library is open. I have to pack materials and
supplies that are returning to shore and that is quite a bit. Even though
most items remain on the ship, I still had over 40 boxes of stuff to go
back last year. This year should be the same. I also have to track down
the scofflaws that haven't returned their books and DVDs. There are over
25 cadets and a few officers who still have materials out, even though it
was publicized over a week ago that everything had to be back by August
3rd. I have the help of the Regiment officers to track down the
miscreants. I will turn the names of anyone who doesn't return their
items by Friday over to the shore library for impoundment. Such is the
job of a librarian.
Monday, August 2, 2010
St. John’s
Last night was magnificent. It was warm. You could see every star in the
galaxy. During the night the ship began to pitch and roll. I heard
several large crashes during the night outside my cabin. I obviously
didn't sleep too well. When I got up this morning, we were in a pea soup
fog. We had hit the foggy Grand Banks.
galaxy. During the night the ship began to pitch and roll. I heard
several large crashes during the night outside my cabin. I obviously
didn't sleep too well. When I got up this morning, we were in a pea soup
fog. We had hit the foggy Grand Banks.
We sailed on in fog all day and finally reached St. John's about 17:00,
right around dinner time. We maneuvered near the mouth of the harbor
which was barely visible through the fog. Two peaks guard the narrow
entrance to the harbor. While we waited for them to get the fast boat
readied to take the cadet ashore, a whale swam around the ship to
entertain us. The cadets were more excited by the fact they had cell
phone service from shore than by the whale. Using their phones when they
have service is their major leisure activity. God help us if satellite
phone service gets cheap enough, they'll be on their phones all cruise.
Finally, the patient made his appearance hobbling along with the aid of
the two corpsmen. They got him into the boat and he, one of the corpsmen,
two of the mates and two cadets were lowered into the water and headed to
St. John's. We are still awaiting their return, and then we'll head
south, past Nova Scotia and New England, to home.
All in all, it was an interesting diversion to a boring week.
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