Programs Blog

Author: Rachel Grundy, A Watch, Concord Carlisle High school and Anna Sheehan, B Watch, Urban Assembly New York Harbor School

Ship’s Log

Noon Position:
41° 13.14’N x 71° 30.66’W

Ship Heading (degrees):
045

Ship Speed (knots):
2.5

Taffrail Log (nm):
440.9

Weather / Wind / Sail Plan (from 1300 Watch Change):
Wind coming from the West, force 5. Sea direction WSW at 4 to 5 feet in height.

Description of location:
5 NM off coast of Block Island

We left our Anchorage in Cape Judith, Rhode Island, and headed to Block Island Wind Farm! There were some heavy winds, so we reefed the Mainsail. We were sailing with the Mainsail, Main Stay Sail, Fore Stay Sail, Jib, JT and Top Sail. With the sails up, we were heeling at a 45 degree angle until we were about 5 KM off of Block Island. We heaved to (stopped the ship without using the anchor) and completed a couple of science deployments, including a Sediment Grab and Secchi Disc. When we got closer to Block Island, the wind turbines towered over the ship as we sailed right through the wind farm.

We had an Oceanography class after where we learned about atmosphere-ocean oscillations and natural climate changes. We were split into groups, and each presented on one of three oscillations: North Atlantic Oscillation, Pacific Decadal Oscillation, or El Niño Southern Oscillation. After class we dropped anchor in Narragansett, Rhode Island and watched a movie.

Rachel Grundy, A Watch, Concord Carlisle High school and Anna Sheehan, B
Watch, Urban Assembly New York Harbor School

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