Transit Seattle to Honolulu 

 The constant wear and tear on the vessel requires both cosmetic restoration as well as checking areas of the vessel that are often sealed for great periods of time. Tank diving is the common expression used in reference to the process of physically inspecting parts of the vessel that contain ballast water, fuel, cargo, or holding tanks for other fluids.  

 This is a very intentional operation and safety protocols must be followed exactly to ensure that the oxygen content is safe in the space. Aboard the training ship (and in the commercial fleet), the safety process prior to beginning the task is known as a Job Safety Analysis (JSA). These spaces are generally much smaller to enter and move around in which is why personal protective equipment is specified in great detail on the JSA to minimize the risk of injury while tank diving. 

 Later in the day, cadets could be seen completing additional coursework to demonstrate those previously mentioned STCW competencies.  

 Featured below is Cadet Erin Bailey (1/C) from division 4D completing one of her celestial navigation fixes. Celestial navigation is the science and art of fixing the vessel’s position by referencing the celestial bodies such as the stars, sun, or moon.

 It was also a beautiful sunset tonight and we are looking forward to many more of these as we make way down to Honolulu.