News

Tuesday, 3 November 2026
Anchored in Francis Bay, St John, USVIs

Today started off bright and early on watch at 0000 (midnight) watching as a large cruise ship passed our stern and once it did I as JWO (junior watch officer) had to tack the ship. After wrapping up watch and finally getting to bed at 0120 in the morning, I had a great night sleep. I was then woken up to Charlie saying “Ginge, ginge, wake up, we have to go” Knowing that while I had been sleeping A watch had brought us to anchor is St. John! As I got out of bed I heard everyone around discussing plans for the day, what snack to bring and so on. We met up on the quarter deck to go over plans for the day, it was then I was called out for my sunburn and how I wouldn’t be allowed to be in the sun unless I had a hat on. Finally, we got into the small, inflatable boats and headed towards the beach. From the beach we walked about 30 minutes on a paved road next to large mangrove trees, to an old sugar plantation called Annaberg.  Once we got there we got about 15 minutes to walk around and explore this historical place. It was very interesting to see the way the walls were built out of coral and to learn about what was made at the factory. We talked to some very nice people at the plantation, who told us different stories about the island and culture. We had lunch, which for me was a fluffernutter and some fruit snacks. The reason we came was to do a mindfulness activity we have done a few times before with our history teacher MJ. Thinking about spending time at sea and the view we were looking at, seeing the ocean from land and other islands around us. Not seeing land for 2 weeks changes the way you see the ocean. This has been such an incredible experience, and I think everyone is exited to get home but also sad to leave the boat behind.

After our mindfulness activity we headed back to the beach where we first landed.  While we were walking we kept getting small bursts of rain, which after only being splashed with salt for weeks, feels really good. We got to snorkel and swim for hours just soaking up the sun and the beauty of the coral and animals around us. We saw stingrays and turtles and lots of fish. ­­­­­The reason we went to the beach was to do training for our snorkel survey tomorrow, where we will go out for about 1 ½ hours to find creatures that we picked out to study, I’m studying different kinds of starfish.

After we got back to the ship it was a lot of chaos of aloe, deck showers, and trying to get electrolytes. C watch had anchor watch, anchor watch is just a shorter easier version of our 6 hour watches we have normally. There is an anchor check, boat check and dishes this all happens to make sure the boat and everyone in it is safe. After our watch we had all hands dinner, this only happens when we are at anchor because otherwise there are some people on watch and some people who are off. Being able to eat together as a whole ships company is really nice because you get to be with everyone. Dinner was fish tacos, which was unfortunate for me because I hate fish. Soon after we had time to work on our projects for our marine science class. Anyway, now I’m going to bed because it’s been a long day and we are going to have a long day tomorrow and the next 3 days we are in St. John. The next couple days are going to be a lot of moving around and having fun soaking up our last week on Ocean Classroom. I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity and can’t wait to see everyone when I get home.

Hannah, C -Watch

PS – Hi Mom, Dad and Annika I miss you guys so much, I was so happy to see and talk to you guys a couple days ago. I’m having so much fun and love all the opportunities that I’ve had while being here. I love and miss you guys so much. Annika I’m so sorry I’m missing your birthday but just know when I get home we are going to go to 7 Brew and chill for a day. Say Hi to nana and grandpa for me and have a great birthday!

Hi to all my friends at home I have lots to tell you when I get back love and miss you all (Annika ss and send to everyone)