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!
I have really enjoyed following this blog Steve! Outstanding articles and pictures have given us all a glimce of what it takes to safely transport the External Tank to the Kennedy Space Center. A big thanks to you and the crew of the Liberty Star for your dedication and attention to detail on this major hardware delivery. While your journey is almost complete, the work ahead is just starting. Thanks again for a job well done!!
Sounds great, I have learned a lot about NASA and really big ships. Aarg!!!!!
I liked reading all about your trip! I liked learning about the signal flags, and the lights on the port and starboard, bow and stern of your boat! We are praying for a very safe voyage for you and the crew.
Alexis
I really liked reading all about your ship! My favorite part so far of it was learning about the different flags! : ) We are also following your boat on a map. We are praying for you! : )
With Love,
Rachael
I loved the photographs – they are amazing! The flags are neat. The tanks and how they parachute into the sea and get picked up by the boat is cool. We had split pea soup the other day, too! I hope you have a wonderful rest of your voyage.
Claire
We are trying to track the Liberty Star on the link you posted… Can’t find her. We can find the Freedom Star moving 12 knots just outside of the Cape. Any suggestions?
Michelle
Seems the seas are a bit better today than yesterday! I was once in what seemed 100 foot swells in the Med- USN. Greatly enjoying the reports and history! Any good estimate of what time you will be transiting the locks at the Banana River? Want to come over to watch, 3 hour drive, so sure would help to have an idea!
We are trying to track the Liberty Star on the link you posted… Can’t find her. We can find the Freedom Star moving 12 knots just outside of the Cape. Any suggestions?
What Link???