Teacher Aboard

Date:	Saturday, October 24, 1998
Position:	Dockside, Puerto Vallarta, Mexico Latitude: 20 degrees 6 minutes North; Longitude: 105 degrees 2 minutes West
Entered By:	Teacher Leslie Bridgett

Hola! (hello in Spanish)

HURRICANES

In planning the Asia With Pride Tour, one the most important factors in determining the schedule was how to avoid hurricanes. The captains consulted (read about) piloting guidebooks to gain an understanding of when and where these storms frequently occur. Due to this good planning, Pride II left Asia just before some very large typhoons (Pacific hurricanes) struck China and Japan.

Hurricanes form from disturbances (changes) in the atmosphere just north and south of the equator. After the long hot summer, the warm water near the equator heats the air, which rises then cools and condenses to become rain. Generally speaking, it is warm water that provides energy to power a hurricane. Near the eye of the storm (around the center), winds can reach a constant 150 mph and can kick up waves 50 feet or higher. Needless to say, these are not conditions that are safe for sailing an 1812-era vessel such as Pride II!

Click on the image for a larger view

During the two months he is home, Captain Miles uses the National Hurricane Center Web site to monitor hurricanes, then sends the information to Captain Parrott on the ship as it is needed. When Captain Parrott learned that two storms were headed toward his destination of Acapulco, he chose to take shelter in Puerto Vallarta, about 500 miles north of his goal. Harbor officials went around the harbor loudly advising all boats that precautions should be taken.

Captain Parrott had the crew prepare Pride II by doubling the docklines, adding chaff gear where things might rub, and removing sails or tying them down securely. Fortunately, although there were some clouds and rain, Hurricane Madeline did not strike Puerto Vallarta.

However, other areas in Central America suffered greatly from landslides and flooding due to the heavy rains.

Although we may feel removed from the threat of these storms, we would be wise to note a storm which struck Ocean City in 1962. The newspaper headlines read "Sea Sweeps OVER Ocean City" with articles telling of houses that floated away. When officials say "evacuate!" you should GO!

NOAA WEATHER

As one of her many services, Pride II participates in the Voluntary Observing Ship Program for the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). This means that every three hours the crew records weather observations and sends them by satellite to a national weather broadcasting service. When Pride II is sailing, she is experiencing weather that will sometimes move toward land. Reports by the crew help the weather service monitor (watch) these conditions and make better predictions for people on shore.

The weather conditions which are recorded for NOAA include: temperature, relative humidity, percent and types of clouds, wind speed and direction, wave height and direction, water temperature, precipitation (rain), and the barometric pressure. There are 7,300 vessels from 60 nations that support the weather service in gathering this offshore data. You can find out more about weather reporting by checking out these two interesting weather sites: Intellicast and USA Today.

MOUNTAINS AND THE RAINFOREST

It has been said that Mexico has five directions: North, South, East, West, and Up. When the early Spanish explorer, Hernando Cortes, was asked to describe Mexico, he crumpled up a piece of paper and tossed it on the table. As this act implied (suggested), two thirds of the country is covered with mountains separated by a high central plateau (flat region). Even along the coast, as Pride II entered the port of Puerto Vallarta, mountains could be seen rising up as a backdrop to a narrow strip of flat coastline.

This stunning mountainous Pacific coast stretches the length of the Mexico and provides a beautiful backdrop for famous Mexican resorts such as Acapulco. The dry climate and mountain terrain to the north make farming difficult. Rainfall increases to the south and eventually supports lush tropical rainforests (jungle). While in Puerto Vallarta, First Mate Wes Heerssen organized a day for the crew to explore the rainforest that is within driving distance of the port.

Rainforests are wet throughout the year and are often shrouded (covered) in clouds. These clouds form as the wind from the ocean carries damp air up and over the mountains.

Rainforests are home to the world's greatest number of diverse (different) living things. Many inhabitants (creatures) are harmless, such as monkeys, parrots, and iguanas (lizards). Others, however, are poisonous, such as the coral snake and the bright green and black frog.

As exciting as the animal life may be, the vegetation (plants) is equally fascinating! Due the high humidity (dampness), the forest is very dense. The trunks of huge trees are covered with vines, mosses, and plants. As the forest reaches up to a height of 120 feet, plants on the forest floor grow huge leaves to gather the limited bits of sunlight.

All this lush growth presents a feast to leaf cutter ants who leave a scented trail to find their way back to the nest.

Unfortunately, acres of rainforests are regularly being chopped down for cattle farming, and to sell the wood for household products. All this cutting of the rainforest upsets the delicate balance of animals and plants that live there. You help save the rain forest by NOT buying products (like picture frames and furniture) made from hard tropical woods. Be a "green consumer" and save the trees that are home to the monkeys and parrots.

Continue with the second part of the October 24, 1998 log.

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