Programs Blog

July 24, 2025

Noon Position: (Lat and Long): 20*53.7’N 156*48.0’W

Ship Heading (degrees): 145

Ship Speed (knots): 2 knots

Taffrail Log (nm): 169

Weather / Wind / Sail Plan (from 1300 Watch Change): Clear Skies, heading at 145*

Description of location: Somewhere off the Hawai’ian islands!

Hello! My name is Hana and I am the blogger of the day. Today is July 24th and it is our first day off-shore. We started the day anchored and finished morning chores, and then B watch was on during departure. My first task was lookout, which involves going to the front of the boat and watching for any ships. After that was done, I helped Amira with the jib and setting different sails. This is my first time sailing, and I did not realize how much teamwork is involved! 

It was a little hectic at first, especially because we had a lot of seasick people on deck, but once we got into the flow of it it was smooth sailing (mostly). My favorite station was either lookout or lab, where we report hourly data coming in automatically from SEAs flow through system and take any extra data needed. I got to walk through all the equipment and prepare for Neuston tows- which my watch will be doing tomorrow. By the end of my watch, I had gone through about five ginger chews and was ready for a break– but I made it through without puking! 

After watch, I grabbed dinner with Lake, which was an amazing beef barbacoa taco and sat with C watch to look at the sunset. I popped back up again a few times throughout the night to look at the stars with A watch. The sky was clear tonight, so I was able to see the milky way. Even though my sleep was sacrificed, I’m glad I was able to pop in and out during night and dawn watches, because the views and company were so fabulous. 

Tomorrow, I’m excited to deploy the Neuston tow and see what plankton we catch in there. I’m also excited for morning watch, because I am a huge morning bird. I’m a little nervous for the watch after though, which is dawn watch (I am not good past the hours of 9pm). I hope everyone enjoyed the update from the boat—bye for now!

Hana, A Watch, Wellesley College