0945 a.m., Oct. 22 — Liberty Star, Pegasus and ET-134 Under way in the Florida Straits
Last night I stood by the watch on the bridge for a short time. The bridge, completely darkened, was lighted only by soft, red LED lights and the glow of the two radar scopes. The watch, John Jacobs and Clint Small, were checking readouts of wind direction, speed, the tow of Pegasus — depending upon their vision and the excellent ranging of the radars for vessels moving within the area of interest of Liberty Star. It was a dark, cloudy, starless night, as black as space.
Radar scopes fill up with targets now; off Liberty’s bow, the Strofades, a freighter pushing east; off Liberty’s starboard side, a tanker passing east and a freighter passing west; off Liberty’s port bow a yacht moving east; Key West packed with moored ships.
Seas are running 4 to 6 feet and we are moving at eight-and-one-half knots.
Pegasus, spray washing over her bow, reported all is well.
The Captain has just closed a meeting with his senior officers concerning plans for the remainder of this tow and upcoming missions beginning next week and into the busy weeks ahead.
A radio squawks! Coast Guard Station Key West via International Hailing Frequency: small craft advisory throughout the area.
The routine of weather and sea, ship and crew continues. All is well. Aarg!