Programs Blog

Maren Janda, C Watch, University of Washington

Ship’s Log

Current Position
Pago Pago, American Samoa

Ship’s Heading and Speed
Docked

Weather
Today was a much needed shift from the cloudy and rainy monotony to a consistent amount of sun followed by a well enjoyed light mist at dinner.

Souls on Board

Looking back on today, and actually every day since arriving at Woods Hole, much has been accomplished, learned, and drilled into our brains since wake-up at 7am. For some it’s a refresher on how to sail and life on a boat, and to others, such as myself, it’s completely foreign. Regardless, we are all dying to untie her and let the wind carry us to Tonga.

After my 0600 boat check consisting of moving the tubas, dripping sweat in the engine room contributing to the bilge, and trying my best to peacefully wake A Watch, the real adventure began. After breakfast and a quick muster we moseyed over to the market where we explored, saw, and occasionally purchased earrings, tapas, and ‘ie lavalavas. With free time until 1400 one group went snorkeling and the other climbed Mount Alava. While I’m sure the others saw beautiful corals and plenty of marine life, from the summit of the cliffs that surround the water the view was unimaginably gorgeous and we could even see the Robert C. Seamans itching to set sail.

Every morning waking up here in Pago Pago I’m reminded how lucky we all are to be here while sipping my coffee, but I was especially reminded of this looking down at the water we soon will be sailing through from above. With the last of our time docked in American Samoa closing, we quickly transitioned to safety talks where we received our harnesses. Some felt bogged down, but I personally loved the comfort and the now freedom to do more adventurous things (relax on the head rig, deploy the CTD, climb aloft).

Next we practiced some situations we hope to never encounter like abandon ship and man overboard with each individual given a task to help assist in such a scary scenario. I’m sure all the parents are happy to hear that we are all putting the safety of each other first, but Mom and Dad we also are having a blast along the way. After plenty of drills, lots of questions, and a few jokes to ease the tension Sabrina, as always, made the most amazing food to which all of us conversed over. Tonight we were treated to spaghetti and homemade focaccia, which I’m currently snacking on the leftovers of while writing this. That girl deserves her own FoodNetwork show. I’m a firm believer that true bonding only occurs with a good meal, so with our 6 meals a day, we are all getting very close.

Wrapping up the day everyone is so exhausted from all of the work but the excitement surrounding tomorrow is so intense it’s almost tangible. Bets are already being placed on who is going be first to put their weight on the gimbaled galley tables knocking everything off, to hurl, and fall down purely because of the motion of the ocean (I’m winning this last one by a landslide). While the adventure unfolds here tomorrow morning as we let loose the sails, we’re also thinking of home and our loved ones (Happy Birthday Dillon!) hoping you’re not too worried, but also sending our love and if we could, our dirty clothes to be cleaned.

– Maren