PART V - SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS (CONT) the fuel which was pumped from several small tank trucks. No damage was inflicted except for snapped mooring lines. However, there was so much work and worry incident to being at the pier that Puntarenas is not rec- ommended as a fueling stop. The port is interesting and a visit, with the ship at anchor, is worthwhile. Other than fuel, no stores were taken. Pilotage is compulsory for going alongside. The pilot was competent and spoke English. The Sailing Directions and charts were found to be sati- factory except that the principal coastal navigation light, Isla Blanca (No. 26230 in Light List H.O. 111B) marking the entrance to the Golfo de Nicoya could not be seen at night 12 miles off although it is indicated as a 25 mile light. Upon departure, the Cape was rounded 6.0 miles off and it was observed the light structure, an Eiffel Tower-type steel let- tice, had collapsed and was lying horizontally on the crest of the Cape. (6) Cocos Island. Cocos Island was not a scheduled visit, however, a stop was made there at the request of Mr. Kliwe the senior civilian oceanographer so that he could survey the site for a tidal gauge pre- pased to be installed by the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries. After per- mision was received from the Commandant, the island was approached on the premise that a landing would be made only if the surf conditions per- mited. Satisfactory conditions were found at Chatham Bay and the survey group was landed. Also, the opportunity was taken to hold a ship's party ashore. Over a period of eight hours all hands got ashore to explore an uninhabited, tropical island rich in pirate lore. The ROCKAWAY's name was chiseled into a boulder on the beach commemorating our visit in the same manner as other ships had done, with dates going back to the 1700's. (7) LaUnion, El Salvador. After completion of the oceanographic mission, the ROCKAWAY stopped at LaUnion for a three day visit while current home. No pilots were employed. The Sailing Directions for the port and the approaches were found to be current and correct. However, an excellent navigational mark, the Islas Farallones in the mouth of the Golfo de Fonseca were found to be incorrectly located on H.O. Chart No. 973. The other topography in the area provided ample means to ascertain and cross check the vessel's position after the initial inconsistencies were resolved. The ship was berthed at the Cutuco pier for mins hours to take on 15,000 gallons of fuel after which she anchored in LaUnion Bay for the remainder of the visit. Two of the civilian scientists were dismbarke at this port. An official call was made on Colonel Asuens, the Captain of the Port, and he made one of his patrol boats (a CO type 40 footer) available to augment the ROCKAWAY's Liberty boats. As a good will gesture towards the community, 48 cases of soft drinks were contrib- uted to the local orphanage. Other than fuel, no stores were taken at this port. (8) Rodman Naval Station, Canal Zone. Rodman Naval Base was the final port before return to New York. The ship berthed for eleven hours to take on 119,000 gallons of marine diesel fuel and some commissary and exchange stores. Seven persons, including Weather Bureau personnel, civilian scientists, and personnel from the Coast Guard Oceanographic Unit were disembarked. The Canal transit was made at night.