Programs Blog

Author: Bela Filstrup, Benny Seidman and Nadya Babushkin, The Chapin School, South Eugene H.S., Skyline H.S.

Ship’s Log

Noon Position: 41° 20.368’N x0 70° 50.058’W

Ship Heading: 352°

Ship Speed: Anchored

Taffrail Log: 591.7 nm

Weather / Wind / Sail Plan: Some clear skies with alto stratus and cumulus clouds, F0 winds, heading to Vineyard Haven

Description of location: Less than 1 nm off of Forbes Island, in Tarpaulin Cove

Marine Mammals Observed last 24hrs: 1

Sargassum (benthic) Observed last 24hrs: 22

August 2nd on the Cramer meant another beautiful day. We departed in the morning from the lovely Menemsha Bay after having yet again another delicious breakfast, this time of scrambled eggs and blueberry muffins as A watch prepared for morning watch. Since the three of us were off watch, we were able to watch the pull away from Martha’s Vineyard and set the Mainsail for the last time.

We then worked on our creature feature projects. Benny’s was on The By-The-Wind Sailor, Bela’s on Copepods, and Nadya’s on The Leidy’s Comb Jelly. We also made fortune tellers and paper airplanes with extra materials from the posters, and asked everyone on watch who came our way if they wanted their fortune read. After our working session, we all went up on deck to talk and enjoy the sunshine. The waves were sparkling as we passed smaller sailing yachts along the vineyard.

Girlbosses enjoying cookies made by fellow Girlbosses (Left to Right: Riya, Anna, Nadya, Julia).

During class today, we got to finish our creature features and touch base with our A watch friends who were hard at work finishing their posters before beginning our first set of presentations. All of us writing got to spend a full 45 minutes immersed in the knowledge of these amazing creatures. It was interesting to hear our shipmates explain the posters of their chosen animal, whether it was the American Eel or the fabulous Comb Jelly. Next the chief scientist Heather presented the data we had collected over the course of our trip, going through what phytoplankton and zooplankton populations were present in our different water samples from all the different locations and tows.

It was interesting to see the trends in the data regarding pH levels near shore verse in the Gulf of Maine, as well as temperature, salinity, and density connecting to nutrient levels and biological populations. The coolest part about the presentation was the maps and remembering processing the data ourselves, and zooming out to the big picture. We also got to have lemon bars during the presentation which made it extra fun. The second round of creature features was quicker and presenting was smooth glidin’.

Tonight we’re anchored at Tarpaulin Cove, the same anchorage as our first night at sea. We got a lot of time to be with each other, and enjoy our time well on these last few nights. B watch had a closing circle while the other two watches sat on top of the lab singing old 2000s songs. One of the best moments was when a sail boat with a little girl went past and she asked if we were a pirate ship, and so Ari led us in singing a sea chantey. After a dinner of really good leftovers, we had an intense game of Pictionary.

Between rounds we watched the orange and pink sky bleed into the water, turning it into a very picturesque backdrop. We also might have seen a seal, though Benny is still convinced it was a bird. If only Sean’s moon beam light reached it, Benny could have been proven wrong. It definitely wasn’t a shark though. But maybe. I mean we were where Jaws was filmed so you never know…

Even though our time here on the wonderful Corwith Cramer will wrap up, never will the memories and amazing times we’ve had. What an honour it has been to be here. The chance we have had to be here and on this ship will be cherished forever.

– Bela Filstrup, Watch C, The Chapin School, Benny Seidman, Watch B, South Eugene High School, Nadya Babushkin, Watch B, Skyline High School

Contact: Douglas Karlson, Director of Communications, 508-444-1918 | [email protected]