I thoroughly enjoy sitting at my desk, on my MacBook Air, writing these posts; I find it a pleasant  interruption from my day-to-day  responsibilities.  There have been too many interruptions in my intent to write here since my last post and even now I will have to save a ‘draft’ and finish it later, something else has ‘come up’, no rest for the wicked…….

During our 7-day itinerary, the Saturday and Sunday are particularly busy.  The Saturday mornings are full of functions with my presence required, the afternoon is taken up with the busy Juan de Fuca Straits and the docking in Victoria.  Leaving there at midnight, we then have to cross the Straits to port Angeles and embark a Puget Sound (compulsory) pilot and then arrive in Seattle at 6 in the morning.  Turn-round day is always busy, so no rest there and off we go again, back towards Alaska.

The 17th was Indonesian Independence day and, as always, we celebrate their special day with them. Following the Flag ceremony, they have a large crew party by way of celebration.  Originally the Flag ceremony was to take place on our foredeck, however weather conditions were such that this was not to be recommended, it was moved to our Marshalling area, a large space which is normally used for stores loading, or baggage loading. I am always required to make a speech and wear my full uniform, cap an’ all.

(Don’t forget you can double-click for a larger photo)

 

We have had a changeable week, weather-wise.  A deep weather depression in the Gulf of Alaska was going to cause challenges as we sailed north and approached Alaskan waters and I spent a great deal of time poring over weather charts and calculating how to avoid the worst of it.  We headed north at a speed far faster than normally required, the intent being to get inside (relatively) sheltered waters of the Alaskan Inside Passage before the worst of the weather came through.  The planning worked admirably, sneaking into the Chatham Strait a couple of hours before the Outside waters became rough.  Nevertheless, while the seas were calmer, the wind was a factor, reaching 45 knots, (about 50 mph) at times.  Added to the mix and just to keep us on our toes, was reduced visibility.

To the north, the weather was worse, storm-force winds in the Lynn Canal, on which Skagway lies, while to the south, gale warnings in abundance.  Normally, there is a semblance of order to schedules, cruise ships pass each other at approximately the same time and place each week.  Not so this week, cruise ships were popping up in the most unlikely places, all having had to cancel ports and find alternatives.

 

We were affected, normally entering the fjord of Tracy Arm, the weather conditions were such that prudent seamanship dictated doing so would be foolhardy and so I then spent time finding an alternative.  Fortunately there was a berth free in Juneau that day and we proceeded north, docking in Juneau at 4 p.m. on Tuesday instead of our normal 6:30 a.m. on Wednesday.  I understand that some guests were more than pleased to get their feet on dry land early.  😕

I was trained as a Navigation Officer and there was no formal training for the other responsibilities of a Captain. Priest, Psychiatrist,  Counselor and Judge.  The latter refers to disciplinary hearings of course.  With over 600 crew there are always the occasional miscreants which have to be dealt with.  Counselling crew members is more unusual however this week I have had that too.  Someone needs to talk and who better than me.  I encourage crew to come and see me if they have a challenge which they don’t want to share with their friends or co-workers.  While these sessions don’t occur frequently, one has to be prepared to ‘listen’ and, if it is possible, to assist in a solution.

More corporate visitors today, that makes 3 weeks in a row for us and I know there’s another next week in Juneau.  They take the opportunity to visit all the ships while in Alaska, which has good, short flights from Seattle and the time spent is conducive for all parties.  I hope that my 5th week’s visit might enable me to get ashore and buy some necessities though  🙂

We leave here for Sitka and I had to inquire as to conditions there.  Yesterday they had mud-slides and landslips due to that storm and consequent rain, unfortunately 3 people were killed.  I am told that all is operating as normal and our visit should go ahead as planned.