I have this problem everytime.
When I try to press button captain's log (K) , messages (M) or that on the right side (close to time compression) game is freezing (sound is repeating) for min. 1 min.
After a while Captain's log is visible and game is running.
Have you had such problem ?

How to fix it - I hate such long interruption ?
my spec :
Intel Pentium 4 CPU with 3,2 GHz 1,5 GB RAM
GeForce 6600 (256 MB)
Gigabyte GA-81848P
Procesor FSB 200 MHz x 16
+++
I patched SH4 to 1.1 but ...
Can somebody tell me how to change from imperial to metric system ?
(recognition manual is in metric and sub. depth in feet, as well as, n.miles on nav. map and position keeper in metric) !