Programs Blog

June 27, 2025

Time: 1939

Location: On the Robert C. Seamans between Nuku Hiva and Hawai’i

Weather: A little windy, but pretty calm

Today has been a pretty typical day on the Bobby C. I had afternoon watch, which meant that I got the morning to chill and have time for myself. It feels like now that we have gotten more into a routine on the ship, everyone has a little more time for hobbies. It’s common to see people playing cards in the salon, and every sunset people gather on the cabin top to watch and play music on the guitar. Today, I was one of three people to finish a book (Luckily the library here has the next book in the series I’m reading).

We have acquired a new member of our boat crew: a Red Footed Booby. He decided that the boom that we use to tow science equipment was the best place to rest. He doesn’t seem to mind that it moves twice a day for us to do deployments, especially since the ship stirs up flying fish for him to catch.  

Yesterday, something SUPER cool happened. At dawn watch the horizon was super clear and as the sun was rising we saw the green flash! The green flash is something that happened at sunrise or sunset when the sun is just cresting on the horizon and it shines through a wave. Seasoned sailors can go their whole lives without seeing the flash so this was an awesome experience. 

It has been so lovely to start to feel more comfortable on the ship. Every day becomes easier to know what is expected of me, spend time with other students, and have time for myself. I feel like now that I am in a routine I can really appreciate the joy of sailing in a way that is hard to do when you are trying to learn everything quickly. Now, I feel so grateful that I get to travel in a way that is so peaceful and interesting.

To my Mom, Dad, siblings, friends, boyfriend, and loved ones, I miss you tons and I hope you’re having a good summer. I love you all and I can’t wait to tell you everything about life on the ship.

Sophie Wilcox, B-Watch

Purdue University (Boiler Up!)