Yes, JANUARY, got that bit correct this time 😆
We have been steering west-south-westerly courses across the Pacific. We have to average a speed of 17.9 knots, which equates to 19.7 mph/31.5 kph. The ‘17.9’ is awkward, it’s right between using 2 and 3 diesel generators, however my decision was relatively easy; we were low on fresh water after our Canal transit and the stay in Fuerte Amador, using 3 diesels allowed us to run more evaporators, thus making water faster and we are now well stocked. We are down to 2 now, we have a very strong South Equatorial current with us and, I suspect, some influence from El Nino; the sea temperature is 85F/29C which is certainly indicative that something’s going on.
We have 1611 miles to Nuku Hiva and today, after 2 days of sun, it has started raining again. There’s plenty to do on board though and not many of our guests are sun-worshippers anyway.
Yesterday morning we had an award ceremony in the Upper Dining Room. Crew (and Officers) receive awards for time-served in the company and this was no exception, approximately 20 were receiving awards, everything from 5 years service, to 25 years.
Suhardin, our Engine Room foreman, receives his. Right is Piet Westerhuis, our Chief Engineer
Charles, one of our Quartermasters, receives his service award
It just so happened that in September of last year, I clocked up my 20 years with HAL, the first Brit to do so, however there soon will be others close behind. I had some nice emails from some our senior Corporate staff and received a 20-year lapel pin, (with a diamond, small 😯 )
Moi, with my pin. Left to right, Henk Mensink, Hotel Director, Jan Smit, Staff Captain, moi, Piet Westerhuis, Chief Engineer, Jonathan Bailey, SEH officer, Julie Bernsen, HR Manager
The days at sea are, of course, an opportunity to ‘eat’ my way around the globe and last night was no exception. A dinner in the Pinnacle grill, this time with a James Bond theme. I was fortunate enough, (rank does its privileges on occasion), to share a table with 5 lovely ladies, what more can one ask for, particularly as one does not have to ‘make’ conversation, quite the opposite, I just had to sit there and listen 😀
L-R. Hazel Donald, moi, Victoria Kruse, Linda Kruse, Karen 2 and Karen (They have ‘Gold Fingers raised, gold nail polish)
The Pinnacle in full swing.
We crossed the equator yesterday morning and are now in the South Pacific. It’s cyclone season and, thousands of miles away to the east of American Samoa, is just such a beast, quaintly named ‘Victoria’. However it is heading south and shouldn’t affect us; nevertheless I always keep a seaman’s ‘weather eye’ open. We have some great forecasting programmes, being sent to us daily and a far-cry from the old days, when only a barometer could give an indication of changing weather.
Captain Jonathan,
Congratulations on your 20th Anniversary with Holland America.
Cheers and Regards!
I find the behind the scenes talk so interesting thanks for sharing it Captain! I’m curious how much water you can produce on 2 versus 3 diesels?
Hello Mike, apologies for taking so long to reply. 1×12 + 1×16 >> 250m3/day; 1×12 + 2×16 >> 300m3/day;
2×12 +1×16 >> 700m3/day; 2×12 + 2×16 >> 750m3/day. On average, between us all, we use around 450m3 a day, higher on a’humid beach day! 🙂
Thank you, and there is Certainty no need to apologize! You are a busy man and we appreciate you taking the time to blog to us!
Captain Jonathon:
I enclose an explanation that might be insightful to your passengers. Why is speed such a critical factor in your plans? Just go a little faster and get there sooner. What’s the big deal?
The problem is caused by fundamental laws of physics. If you double your speed you burn fuel at 8 times the rate. You get there in half the time, so you use 4 times the amount of fuel. Why is this? It is because hydrodynamic pressure varies as the square of velocity. Pressure times area equals force. Force times velocity equals rate of doing work (horsepower, kilowatts). Why does hydrodynamic pressure vary as V^2? Hydrodynamic pressure is caused by the kinetic energy of water molecules colliding with the hull. Kinetic energy = ½ mv^2. Why? This is the subject every student learns in General Engineering 101. See: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinetic_energy
That bottom line is that fuel cost is one of the larger components of the cost of operating a cruise ship. Hence every ship captain has to finely balance fuel cost against the time budget. Go too fast and fuel cost soars. Go too slow and you may have to eliminate ports of call to maintain schedule. Passengers have a stake in this because they could not afford the price of tickets that would have to cover the extra cost associated with poor fuel use management.
If your company stressed this to passengers (please get back to the ship before scheduled departure time), it detracts from the spirit of carefree enjoyment of the trip. Maybe it would be better received from a past cruise cruiser who is an 87 year old retired aerospace engineer.
I am so glad all is well on your journey. Do send love to my sister, Karen, and let her know, although I miss our regular talks, we will have so much more to talk about when she returns. Have fun and keep her safe for me. 🙂
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Captain, (or perhaps for this day I should address you as Mr. Bond…..)
.We are enjoying your blog. We’re glad you are periodically informed about storms, hurricanes, and other weather concerns.
We’ve been having a discussion about what a Captain ‘does’ when a storm or weather condition changes course and heads towards a ship. We are hoping that the MS Amsterdam can out run the storm thus keeping everyone safe.
Remember Mr. Bond “….Shaken not stirred”
I really enjoyed the photos of the awards ceremony. Guests can be quite fixated on their own awards, but to see the crew receive theirs comes as a special treat!
Once again, Jonathan, Bob and I are really enjoying your blog. You make it all so interesting. Am quite envious to not be one of those Bond girls. Maybe next year! I’ll settle for the New Year’s photo taken at the Beck’s. Hello to my friends, Karen and Karen (the bookends). Till later Mr. Bond!