Programs Blog

Author: Ian R., A Watch

Ship’s Log

Wednesday, October 25, 2023
Noon Position: Lat: 32°10.7’N and Long: 064°52.1’W
Ship Heading: 225°
Ship Speed: 6.5 k
Log: 1570 nm

Weather: Today is sunny with a chance of some showers. We have a steady force 7 at
our backs, and it is looking like a beautiful day to go sailing. Sail plan
for afternoon watch is to stay clear of Challenger and Plantagenet Banks by
sailing south. Then once we are clear of the banks at the South West corner
of Bermuda we will begin to sail west to stay clear of Tammy.

Wow. Bermuda is a beautiful place. The water is so clear and the town and
its architecture is so cool. But because of Hurricane Tammy and the weather
window that has opened up, we have gotten underway again and are quickly
running away from the storm. But to everyone’s delight, Elsa is back with us
on the boat after not being able to join us since the beginning of the trip.
B watch got up at 6:00 for a 6:20 breakfast to get us underway at 7:30. It
was sad to leave Bermuda knowing we had had such a short time on shore and
force 7 winds and big waves waiting for use outside of the protection of
Bermuda harbor. But everyone understands we need to get going and are ready
for the final leg of our voyage. As we made our way out of the harbor, we
quickly began to feel the big waves and fast winds against the boat. Water
was beginning to slash up onto the deck and we all knew what we had ahead.
And of course, right as we are getting out of the harbor, the Proctor and
SEA flags got stuck and Jeremy had to climb aloft to help free them. We
begin sailing with the Main Staysl and the Fore Staysl up. We start making
about 6.5 knots with just those sails which is crazy, and travel West around
Bermuda. While we are making ground, I decide to go up on deck and read the
Lord of the Rings. (Now father, if you do not know who is writing this yet
you should now, but that is if Ma has not already scrolled to the bottom of
the page to see if I am finally writing a blog.) The Morning watch was very
chill and eventually lunch came around and it was LEFTOVERS. Solid lunch by
Rachel and Seb. B watch then handed over the deck to C watch at 1300 till
1900. I then played Noah Young in a vicious game of spit which went on for
about 45 minutes. The game went back and forth the whole time and Noah ended
up coming out victorious. That took us all the way to class where Jeff
talked to use about corals the geological history of Bermuda. And Captain
gave us further information on what our JWO (Junior Watch Officer) watches
will entail. After class, book club groups met and people took some naps.
Because I have nigh watch, I am writing this blog in parts. So I have stated
it at 17:00 and will pick up later during my watch.

I have finally found myself a window of time. To pick up where I left off,
dinner was really good, it was rice bowls with meat and a very good sauce.
My watch then took over and now I am on lab with Emma and Nick but since a
storm hit and the waves have picked up we are not able to do anything, so we
have been helping out on deck. I was actually just at the helm for about an
hour and a half and Emma was at look out right next to me. It was fun, but
in these conditions when the boat is getting thrown, it can be really
difficult to keep it on course. And while I was at helm we saw a Moon bow.
It’s like a white rainbow at night. Now those on deck have taken over and
Emma and I have a break before we have to do a surface station at 2300.
Overall watch has been good so far with some rain and the boat heeling over
a lot.

Watch last night ended well. The Last two hours were very funny because I
think everyone was starting to get a little delirious. After a good six
hours of watch, B watch came to relieve us at 1:00. We had a short watch
meeting and the next thing I knew I was passed out in my bed. After another
great day.

This trip so far has truly been the experience of a lifetime. I am loving
every moment from getting thrown across the boat because it is heeled over
so far, to us walking around Lunenburg. The professional crew on this trip
are all amazing and there is no other group of kids I would rather be
experiencing this with. I have learned so much about myself and who I want
to be and I am so excited to keep learning new things. These kinds of trips
do not come around very often for many kids and we are such a fortunate
group of people that this experience can be a reality in our lives.  But
sadly this trip is coming to a close soon. I am going to miss the Corwith
Cramer and everyone on it. But I will always remember this experience
forever.

And to Mom, Dad, Annie, and most of all Maddy, I love and miss you all so
much and can’t wait to see you. And Of course, let’s go Yankees.