After weeks of a leisurely coffee, a read of the morning news on the internet, still wearing PJs  🙂  shipboard routine comes as something of a culture shock.  If someone could explain to me why, when one awakes in darkness, the luminous hands of my watch are in exact alignment more often than not, I would be grateful.

We rounded the eastern end of Cuba at 1 o’clock this afternoon and, as I write, we are now sailing south; we pass the western tip of Haiti at 9 p.m. this evening and across the Caribbean.

Ever since we left Port Everglades, we have been in strong north-east winds and they are forecast to increase as we move south; consequently I expect an increase in the swell, it will have had time and distance to build in the Trade winds.  I hasten to add that it’s not expected to be too large, 2-3 meters or so, stabilisers will probably be deployed.

During one of my previous posts I mentioned my attendance at another ECDIS (Electronic Chart Display Information System) course.  The big change is that now, as we are ECDIS compliant, we are now using this as our principal Navigation system.  After 40+ years at sea, all of them using paper charts, the change, although expected, seems odd.  My morning routine has always included a visit to the Bridge, a chat with the watch-keeping officers and, amongst others, a perusal of the chart on the chart-table.  Old habits die hard and the now bare chart-table seems alien to me.  Instead I consult the ECDIS, an electronic chart on a screen.  I’m sure that my predecessors would be turning in their graves, no sextants and celestial navigation and now, no paper charts; the inevitable march of progress……..

ECDIS screen

‘Introductions’ this evening; I go on stage and introduce not only myself, but 16 other officers, our ‘key’ personnel.  I do my ‘Intros’ off-the-cuff, far preferring it this way than reading from a script; it has its challenges, however it is less formal and one can adjust, depending on the audience’s reaction.  I know most of my officers and crew, so knowing their ‘bios’, helps to make our guests feel more knowledgeable about them.  I have to admit that, over the years, I have had some moments though, having a brief complete memory loss of a name, even though I’ve sailed with the individual for years; not an auspicious moment  😳

Punta Masai lighthouse

Cuban coast