Programs Blog

Captain Ryan Loftus

Ship’s Log

Noon Position
42 51.5N x 069 23.4W

Ship Heading
135PSC

Weather / Wind
Wind F6 SW Seas 6-8Ft S

Sail Plan
Main Staysail and Fore Staysail

Souls on Board

We have had a great first two days offshore. We were able to set lots of sail yesterday and had a good night of sailing. Today we deployed our CTD (that’s conductivity, temperature and depth sensor to those keeping score at home) and did a neuston tow. We had a great class where out intrepid Chief Scientist Blaire Umhau described what we found from our science deployments.

We then had the students talk us through what they had learned about setting and striking sails and the staff did a demo of striking the jib and mainsail.

Group photo from our field trip to the Shoals Marine Laboratory.

Currently we are slowly making our way east to put some more room between us and some weather coming from the mainland. We will avoid a lot of the weather but might get a little bit of rain overnight. Students are geared up in their foulies and ready for anything! A few have been feeling the motion of the boat but all are adapting and there is lots of laughter and smiles on the deck!

Tomorrow the wind should lighten up and hopefully veer around to the north so we can head south to our next science target!

Captain Ryan Loftus