TSSOM Blog, Day 48 of 2012 Training Cruise

Wednesday, June 20th

    2100 (ZD +4)

STUDENT  ROTATION:

Alpha Company:Maintenance

Bravo Company:Utility

Charlie Company:Watch

Delta Company:Training T8

 AT SEA 

Today was a busy day, but not untypical. We are proceeding on a northerly course up towards Charleston, SC for our last port call of Cruise 2012. The weather has continued to be fair with the winds actually calming down a bit. 

We started the day with a Fire and Emergency drill where we simulated that a fire occurred in the galley. The E-Squad did a good job controlling and then putting out the fire. We then went to an abandon ship drill, lowering the four life boats and the fast rescue boats to the embarkation deck. As we have said before, there is a huge difference in the capability of the cadets to perform both the routine and the emergency functions onboard at this point in the cruise.

It was Delta Company Deck upper class that presented their “Passage Plan” to the Captain and the ship’s officers at 1745 this evening. They had done a great job in developing our plan and all contingencies for our arrival in Charleston on Friday. As Mates, they will be doing this for every port they enter.

The last formal Room and Personnel Inspection then took place at 1830 for 2/C and 1845 for 4/C. President Brennan accompanied those inspecting both the rooms and berthing areas. As the pictures indicate, spirits are high as the training programs are winding down with tests and projects being due and final tests coming up. 

Our plans tomorrow are to anchor about 6 miles off-shore from Charleston, and then proceed to pick up the pilot at 0600 on Friday. More on that Thursday!