Log - July-21-2003 by Robert McCarthy Previous | Next Expedition Expedition | People First day at sea Today we left St. John's Newfoundland at 10:00 local time. The weather again was fantastic, and the sea state is minimal. Hence we are able to cruise at speeds of 16-18 knots. A knot is a nautical mile per hour, and a nautical mile is 1.852 km. There are 60 nautical miles (nm) in 1 degree of latitude. So based upon there being 360 degrees in a circle, calculate the circumference of the earth in km. Also given the speed in knots, determine the average speed of the ship in miles per hour. Determine the total distance traveled in 1 full day (24 hours), and then convert that number to number of degrees of latitude we can travel in one day. (Answers will appear tomorrow.) These are fairly easy calculations based upon some known conversion factors, but these occur commonly while at sea. On a more serious side, today we were instructed on the procedures to follow for real emergencies: general emergency, collisions, man overboard, flight crash, and abandon ship. If we have to abandon ship, we are assigned to a 25 person life raft, and instructed on getting into a survival suit. We were told to eat and drink before jumping into the water (not into the life raft for fear of puncturing it) and then to conserve the supplies in the raft, not to eat or drink for 24 hours. The survival suits will keep us alive for about 3 days floating in the cold waters off of Greenland vs. about 3 hours without wearing one. They are equipped with signal flashers (for night recovery), a rectangular mirror with a small hole in the middle to reflect sunlight to passing ships or aircrafts during the day, and a loud whistle that can be heard about 1100 yards away. Also mentioned in our briefing by the crew were customs to be followed while onboard. One tradition that I had not known was that hats are not allowed to be worn while eating. This is out of respect for the dead, because during battles, the mess area became the infirmary. The food is extraordinary, and the selection amazes me. Breakfast is served from 0700-0800, lunch from 1100-1200, and dinner from 1700-1800 hours. "Mid-rats" is a term for a substantial snack time at 2300 hours. This is in case you're busy during the designated meal times, and miss a meal. There are always snacks in the mess area, and they keep them well stocked. I heard they started this cruise with a $210,000 dollar grocery bill, and now we're down to $180,000 dollars of food left. (They started the cruise in Seattle, and sailed through the Panama Canal before I boarded in St. John's Newfoundland. After I get off in Thule, Greenland, they will take the Northwest Passage and return to the west coast.)