‘Roundin’ the Horn!

                        Whenever there is something of significance that needs to be announced to the entire ship we hear a introductory three-tonal sound before the actual announcement commences. This is used for many differ scenarios; General Announcements for the day, daily Noontime Updates on our position, reminders about special events taking place during the day, and of course any Safety Related Issues. 

                        We left Ushuaia around 1800 hours and with needing to proceed at a measured pace (mostly slow because we were still in the relatively narrow Beagle Channel) our ETA at Cape Horn was supposed to be at 0700 the next morning. We could have arrived there earlier, but time was built in because ‘rounding the Horn is one of those important nautical mileposts. I have a new friend on board, and he has his Certificate Card that he earned back in ’63 when he was on the carrier USS Ranger, and they went around. So having this Event on this Cruise was obviously one of its highlights, best be performed when your fare-paying passengers can witness it rather than at 0300 when only the Bridge and the All Night Buffet are awake.

                        The currents are tricky down there and the meeting waters of the South Atlantic, South Pacific, and Southern Oceans is in constant flux as none of these three siblings get along with each other.

                        Coming out of one of the smaller feeder channels that lead out to the Cape we could feel the effects of our position in the gradually increasing rocking of the ship. The Stabilizers were out but they can only do so much, and they are not any good when strategic handling is needed for safe navigation.

                        A few more miles to go and we could feel the strength of the wind picking up and this has an enormous effect on us as most of our silhouette is above the water making our superstructure act more like a sail than anything else. This ship is equipped with all of the latest handling gear needed, especially the bow and stern thrusters which have an enormous (positive) effect on handling when going slow. This worked to our advantage as the visibility was not good and even though we have several radar screens to use, roaring through these waters is unadvised.

                                    Shortly before that 0700 proposed meeting of us and the Horn, that aforementioned Announcement Tone was heard throughout the ship.

                                                It was the Captain.

                                                (He has a cool Italian accent)

                        “Ah…Ladies and Gentlemen” (he always begins that way) “We are coming up on our intersection with Cape Horn and the reports that we are getting from the automated weather station on the Cape is that we will be experiencing winds of 35 to 45 knots, with gusts to almost 65 knots. The seas are currently running at about 18 to 24 feet and are forecasted to remain there. Ladies and gentlemen, I can assure you that the Majestic Princess can withstand those conditions like it was a toy in the bathtub, we are in no danger whatsoever…… but I would be remiss in my duties if I did not inform you and ask you all to please put on your life vest found in your staterooms. I will keep you informed of anything out of the ordinary so in the meantime, please stay inside and off the decks and get ready for the excitement of your lives! Ciao for now”

                        Most people stayed in their staterooms and watched from the safety of their closed door leading to their balconies. Those with inside staterooms gathered up on Deck 16 in the World Marketplace eating/buffet area. This has floor to ceiling windows.

                        As we got closer to the Horn, the effects of those gusting winds could be felt around the ship. We were effectively rolling (obviously!) and pitching up and down as we went bow-first into the waves! That Emergency Claxon that we’re now all-too familiar with started sounding its ominous tones

                                    It was that or Paula shaking me, “You fell back asleep! Quick, you’re gonna miss us rounding the Horn!”

                                    Jumping up I grabbed my camera which I had already pre-set and turned on and ran to the sliding door of our room!

                                    The scene outside was unbelievable!!!!

                                   

                                    The London Times had headline that day.

Cape Horn Weather Today Set An All-Time Record for Tranquility

I didn’t even get a certificate.