Programs Blog

Thursday, 09 April, 2026.

Noon Position: (Lat and Long): 19 degrees 14.759’ N, 065 degrees 35.419’ W

Log (nm): 125.4 nm

Weather / Wind / Sail Plan (from 1300 Watch Change): sunny, 27C, Beaufort 4 wind, on course for Bermuda

Description of location: en route to Bermuda (nothing but sea and sargassum)

Hello to everyone reading and following along on our journey!

It is currently 1607, but today was already a full day of watches and class (much fuller than my average day on land at least). My day started with a pleasant wake up by Etta at 0600 to do the first full morning watch of our trip. After a quick breakfast of fluffy scrambled eggs and English muffins, we went up to relieve C watch from dawn watch. Everett and I were on the science crew today, meaning we would get to do some really cool things with the on-ship wire machine and J-frame (essentially a mini crane system). But first, chores.

Every morning watch does chores after breakfast and the initial watch group meeting. We wiped, swept, and mopped below decks as well as helped out in the galley. Then it was back on deck to do some science!

As the morning watch, we got to launch the hydrocast and Neuston net to collect data on the water we’re cruising through and some of the specimen we pass. Unfortunately, something went wrong with the hydrocast’s programming/firing system, so we towed the water-collecting machine up only to find empty canisters. Big sad… The Neuston net was a big success, however. We pulled a LOT of sargassum, some crabs, at least one baby shrimp, and a few other critters. The end of our watch came sooner than expected, so we turned the sample over to B watch and let them start processing our catch of the day.

A and C watch had lunch together, and then we broke for some free time. I finally got to play my ukulele on deck (a surreal experience as I almost got splashed while playing but a fun time nonetheless). I sort of miss listening to music, but it’s really fun to try and recall my favorite songs to play from memory. However, we did have class, so it was time to pack up the music and head over to quarterdeck for the reports and material of the day. Today, we practiced handling the lines and sails for when we need to gybe. I would explain what gybing is but I’m not quite sure and I don’t even know if I’m spelling it correctly tbh. Something about going from starboard tack to a port tack and vice versa. I’ll know it soon enough. We do it quite often.

Some interesting personal updates: I learned I do get seasick (but I am conquering it like a champ… with good meds). Also, you get a lot more sunburnt on a ship than you do on land. I’m hoping to avoid the too many burns, but they came for me with a vengeance that has left me with some weird tans. While on lookout, I saw a pod of dolphins. It was during yesterday’s watch, but I felt it was a cool enough experience to include in today’s log. They passed right in front of our bow!!

Shout out to my sister, Cayla, and our beloved mechanic: Happy birthday!!! Enjoy my good vibes from afar.

I will now be signing off to take a glorious shower and sleep before my dawn watch (sailors value hygiene and sleep!!),

Cami Nakagawa, A Watch

A picture of me to let the people know I’m alive and not an imposter writing this… (also we don’t have any photos uploaded from  today so I’m working with what I got in the last two days)

My watch group mates looking cool as they handle lines (go Annie, Ciaran, and Tenny!)