Blah!

SHIP'S LOG:

     Well, this has certainly been a crappy week! That is to say the weather has been crappy.  Winds were supposed to top-out at 10 knots but have been blowing a steady 15 with gust to 25! The wind was supposed to come out of the south, but it has been mostly from the East/North East which in the Thames sets up a nasty chop . . . not good for sleeping. And the there is the rain which has happened several times every day this week. It is sort of like the old joke that goes: it only rained twice this week, once for three day and once for four. And when there has been no rain and no wind, we have had fog. right now from high atop the clubhouse, I can barely see then end of the dock. this should make it "simply wonderful" for all those involved in the Off Sounding Race. Today they are supposed to race from Watch Hill to Block Island. Right now, it would be more a drift than a race and in the fog as well.

     Joy of joys, I got an email from the Coast Guard stating that my Merchant Mariner's Certificate, with the Launch Operator endorsement, has been approved and issued. I have been working on this since February!What a paper chase. Hopefully, the actually papers will show up this week and that's a good think too because we will be going to full time launch hours on the weekend and I have to carry the license with me when I operate the launch. We only have two launch operators currently and they have been getting worn from just the limited hours currently in place.They could use the help.

    Oh, by the way, let's hear it for "snail mail." The License obtaining process could be done electronically on-line or the old fashion way by way of the Post Office. While I have a computer, i didn't have access to a scanner nor a printer so had to opt for the old fashion method. The other three "candidates" all chose to do it electronically. It would appear that old fashion beats new fashion as none of the others have gotten  notification of approval and issuance.  How 'bout that!