Today was what one could describe as a rainy day. Shower after shower came on the ship and I started to worry about the visibility in Golfo Dulce. It is not a problem for me to sail there without seeing anything, but we go there to see something of the shore side. Luckily by 11.00 hrs. we could see the mountain ranges and that meant the Gulf was not completely clogged up. And so we sailed into the bay. Golfo Dulce is part of Costa Rica and we clear the ship here for today and for tomorrow (Puerto Caldera). This means that the agent, the local immigration officer and a lot of family come out to the ship. The officials clear the ship while we do our scenic cruising and the family eats ice cream in the Lido. At 16.30 we then return to the drop off point and everybody goes home happy. During last call my boatmen (the sailors who rig the pilot ladder) were also very happy. One of the visiting family members was a young and very well endowed lady and when she pulled herself up the pilot ladder, everything popped out, giving the boatmen a glorious view of all that Costa Rica can offer. There were of course plenty of hands available to help to put it all back.
While we did our scenic cruise, the travel guide Wallis gave a commentary about all that is there to see. That puts me in a conundrum because I cannot get close enough to the shore to make it possible to see all the details without binoculars. The shore that we sail along is prone to shoaling, in one small bay a whole oyster bank is growing up, so I have to keep a larger margin than I really like. It is still very nice and worthwhile to see but I wish I could add something to the wow factor.
We do the whole scenic tour in about 2.5 hours and it is all done by the navigator on duty. A Highlight is making the perfect turn. When we change course from 350 degrees to 120 degrees to go back, the challenge is to make a perfect half circle. For that we use Rate of Turn, which I mentioned yesterday. You can go around the corner by applying the rudder, eyeball the situation, and when you almost there, apply counter rudder and then stop the turn on the course that you like. That might need several rudder orders while making the turn.
Our Rate of Turn meter mounted in the ceiling console above the steering stand. The duty of the Quartermaster to keep it on exactly the umber of degrees requested by the navigator.
You can also calculate the number of degrees that you have to change every minute to get to your next course when the ship moves forward. If you have a speed of 10 knots, apply 10 degrees rate of turn per minute and it will take you exactly 36 minutes to make a full circle, with a radius of 1 mile. If you have to make a tighter turn, then you have to increase your Rate of Turn, or slow down. We have a meter on the bridge that shows us how fast the ship is turning, e.g. how much Rate of Turn it makes.
We can just give the helmsman/quarter master the order “maintain 10o rate of turn” and he will apply the necessary rudder to ensure that the needle stays on the 10 degrees.
What is the challenge in doing this ? First of all, the ship looses speed in a turn, so if you want to keep a perfect circle, you have to keep the speed constant by giving a little bit more power. Then there is wind and current that might push you off the intended track and you have to counter act that by increasing your rate of turn or decreasing it. Depending on which way the ship is being set. For a young navigator it is a nice challenge and it gives a nice bit of experience.
A perfect half circle by applying the correct R.O.T and keeping a close eye on the progress of the ship.
By 17.00 we were out of the bay and back into the rain clouds. Although this time it was only occasionally and light. That gives hopes for tomorrow in Puerto Caldera. Maybe it will not rain all day. The authorities have promised me a berth to dock at, and that will save on tender service.
October 20, 2012 at 12:26 am
First paragraph, last few sentences: Really, Capt.Albert? Really!?!
Just a tad bit offensive to me. (now if she MADE it happen, then the boatmen had a good day! 🙂 )
October 20, 2012 at 1:06 am
Well, I may be old and not always politically correct, but hubby and I enjoy a bit of humor in these posts! And just LOVE the window on the technical side of cruising. Keep it up! You are ALWAYS informative, interesting, and engaging.
October 21, 2012 at 2:42 am
With all due respect, it seems to me the boatmen had a good day either way. Thank you for describing a delicate but humorous situation very tastefully. Was the Captain informed of this unfortunate incident by distraught (!!) boatmen, or was the Captain watching the disembarkation of the clearance party through binoculars from the wing bridge?
I love it Captain Albert. Your faithful blog reader….Ruud Hartog
October 21, 2012 at 5:19 pm
As usual the captain was the last one to find out; …………………..and dutifully informed the next morning during coffee time.
Best regards
Capt. Albert
October 21, 2012 at 9:00 am
as they say in Facebook: Like.
October 21, 2012 at 8:04 pm
Wow! Feel like I need a life jacket…LOL!
So sorry to have given anyone the impression that I don’t respect and appreciate you, Capt. Albert and/or all the good work you’ve done. I truly enjoy reading this blog and have learned many things regarding cruising, port destinations, wind, currents, etc…
However, speaking as (and possible for others) a ‘well-endowed’ woman, it’s just not that easy to keep things intact at times. (again, don’t know if this was an embarassing moment for this young lady or if she initiated the wardrobe malfunction)
I would not expect you to be involved in this ‘craziness’ but even so, as the Leader, just because you know something doesn’t make it appropriate to share. Not judging you, just my opinion.
Also, it was not my intention to offend the other readers and I actually applaud their loyality to you, Capt. Albert.
Lastly, I was so surprised to see several comments–hope this is the end of this…I’m over it.
Still plugged-in,
jacquelyn
October 21, 2012 at 10:15 pm
Captain Albert
I think the sailors who offered helping hands to the the young lady “in distress” should be given an award for trying to save her!!! 🙂
Always look forward to your posts!
Roger T
October 22, 2012 at 6:02 pm
I am also a ‘well-endowed’ lady, did “NOT” offend me in the least !!!!! As the saying goes “S@#T” happens” life happens…
I expect it made the day for the crew that got a eye full (pun intended) !!! LOOL !!!
Thank You for a great blog, once again….. 🙂