Page 41 - 2003 - Atlantic Islands

other Zodiac expeditions. Apparently, there are universal procedures and all the ships

find them the easiest and safest methods.

Now we are sitting around waiting for the next mealtime - can we believe it? Kay is

reading and I am about to go back to my NY Times Crossword Puzzle.

We continue to see that this is a “shakedown” cruise as the crew & technicians work

on problems, most of them connected with the computer systems guiding various

ship functions and amenities: like the elevator, the ship’s stabilizers, and some of the

audiovisual technology. John told us last night that they are having some troubles

with the stabilizers though he did not go into great detail about just what the matter

is.

We already know that the elevator in the central part of the ship is not functioning

and that the computer experts aboard cannot work on it or the “warranty” from the

shipyard will be invalidated. There is also a major condensation problem in the ceiling

over part of the Leda Lounge and sometimes the room looks like Snuffy Smith’s cabin

with buckets resting on all surfaces plus the floors to catch the “rainwater”.

We have also had troubles meeting the speed schedule for travel but I do not think

that has anything to do with ship problems; here I think it is the current and the wind

working against us. So we are going to arrive at Ascension Island about 6-8 hours

later than earlier anticipated. Since we must refuel there as well, we will take Sunday

as our “land” day.

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