NYC to Miami - Day 2

So after having left Pier 59 in NYC yesterday morning at 8:30, I currently write from about 40 miles due east of the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. It is amazing to me that as slow as this ship travels, about 10.5 knots, that we are able to make as much progress as we do. We currently have the wind blowing from behind, which is allowing us to make better speed.

Once we come around Cape Hatteras on the outer banks of North Carolina we will encounter the Gulf Stream, which will probably slow us down. We will try and duck in closer towards the shore to avoid the strongest part of the current.

After doing some work after we left NYC, I was able to lie down for a nap. I needed it. Slept for about 2.5 hours, and felt better after waking up.

After a delicious dinner, I joined the Captain on the bridge for his 8-midnight watch. At about 10:00, he asked if I wanted to steer the ship. That's what I was waiting for. I spent the next two hours keeping us on a heading of 190 degrees, almost directly south. It was fairly uneventful until about 11:30, when we came upon a big fleet of fishing boats and a large container ship speeding up on us from the rear. The Captain gave me orders on where to move the ship, and we turned a big circle to let the container ship overtake us and then navigate through the fishing fleet. It was excellent.

Several staff members from the DC office have joined for the transit to Miami, and a couple of them are not fairing so well. Our staff attorney and someone from our development department have spent the last 24 hours really sea sick.

I woke up this morning and the sea is a bit bigger than when I went to sleep. I'd say 5 to 6 foot seas - which is not much - but it is crazy how much this ship moves in the water.

I am off to paint a banner for our press conference in Miami.

More to come - and 6 more days till I fly home.