Programs Blog

Welcome Abroad! Marine Biodiversity and Conservation (MBC) students

April 13, 2021
Fiona, Sydney Marie, and Ava (left to right) move their gear aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer.
Fiona, Sydney Marie, and Ava (left to right) move their gear aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer.

Captain Allison Taylor

Ship’s Log

Noon Position
Alongside the University of South Florida Marine Science Center dock

Weather / Wind / Sail Plan
A fair bit warmer than Woods Hole.  Sunny Florida.

Description of location
Quiet part of campus, nestled in St Petersburg, FL.  US Coast Guard station just across the harbor.

Souls on Board

Everyone was very glad to get off the bus this morning (around 1100) and finally be free of our face masks! In the end, the bus ride from Woods Hole, MA to St Petersburg, FL took 28 hours, but it was pretty smooth, full of naps and snacks, and some pit-stop exercising. Once on board, the students met the crew (and vice versa) and got settled into their bunks on board by lunchtime, before an afternoon filled with lots of information as they all started learning about their new home, SSV Corwith Cramer.

Welcome introductions for professional crew and students; With everyone gathered we celebrated our first of many birthdays that will happen during our voyage. Welcome introductions for professional crew and students; With everyone gathered we celebrated our first of many birthdays that will happen during our voyage.

The bright sunshine today contributed to some pink shoulders and a large consumption of water by all (yay for hydration!) but there were still lots of smiles at dinnertime. We’ve had a quiet evening tonight after the long ride and the long day so everyone can get settled and some rest. There are more orientation station rotations on the schedule for tomorrow morning and other fun activities in the afternoon. We’re all looking forward to the community coming together on board and going sailing, of course, for science!

– Captain Allison Taylor

Ari blows out a candle on a tower of homemade cookies! Ari blows out a candle on a tower of homemade cookies!