Today we were met with some bouncy seas and a cold breeze. Many of the cadets were seasick last night, they are slowly adjusting to the ship’s rocking. Hopefully they will get their sea legs soon. Tonight, we will be setting back the clocks one hour, we will do this process two more times on the way to Hawaii.

Out on deck the cadets were learning how to handle mooring lines, the process is slow at first, but when they get the hang of it they will be proficient with it. Line handling can be hazardous work due to the fact that the lines are heavy, they become heavier when they are soaked from the sea. With the watchful eye of their instructors the cadets will learn how to use the lines safely.

Some of the deck cadets were seen taking ballast water soundings throughout the ship. These are important to know since it will tell us how much ballast water is on the vessel. The ballast will help us be more steady as we plow through the waves.

Up in the bridge the cadets were busy navigating us through the weather. Being on the bridge is a different prospective compared to down on deck. The height magnifies the rolls and makes it difficult to stand. For some of the cadets on the bridge this was their first time, they had excited looks on them as they were on the helm.

As our second day at sea comes to an end everyone is looking forward to what is to come. I know we will all work hard and enjoy our trip along the way.

Eric Garrard wishes his grandmother a Happy Birthday!