Programs Blog

Monday, 3 March 2025

Location: 39°26.1’S x 176°54.0’E

Log: 867.6nm

Weather: Clear skies and calm seas, 10kts northeasterly wind

            It’s been some number of days for sure since we departed Auckland and began our sailing leg south towards Wellington, though I wouldn’t know how many if asked. Time feels longer on the ship, which I’m glad for. The illusion comes from each day being packed with new experiences and accomplishments, and the 18-hour watch rotation schedule makes it feel like we get an extra day every 72 hours.

            Yesterday morning, which feels ages and just hours ago, the A watch students got a special treat. We took out the small boat to grab surface nitrate samples around Poverty Bay. In the sun and with a playful wind, skidding along the water, I felt so present within my surroundings. Izzy spotted dolphins, and all of us on board were giddy with excitement. One appeared just a few meters in front of our bow and made a great leap diagonally across our path before swerving below us. Their agility and strength really is amazing. I played that memory on loop so many times that I’m sure it’s quite distorted now.

            Later in the day, feeling entirely worlds away and yet right beside the morning’s adventure, I played and sang music with some students and chief mate Eric on deck. Taylor Swift and sea shanties made an unconventional combination but seemed to satisfy our different tastes. Carefree from exhaustion, I sang proudly and watched the sky darken. Three hours later, I woke for dawn watch under bright constellations and galaxies. We had extra time on our hands this watch, a rare occurrence, and each student of A watch used the time to create a report to give during today’s class. I was so excited that I was allowed time to give a report on Franklin’s Lost Expedition, as it’s my favorite polar expedition and the one I’ve read the most about.

            Class today was extra special, not because of my Franklin report (though that was very exciting for me), but because of the long awaited and much anticipated line chase! Student watch teams competed in a relay race to identify the various halyards, sheets, downhauls, and other lines aboard Seamans. The quarterdeck was chaotic with cheering and shouts. Some competitive spirits were brought to the surface, all in good fun. One could ponder if maybe the real winning was the friends we made along the way, but yes, we did have a winning team; Congratulations to C Watch!

Kelsey McClung, A Watch, Olin College of Engineering

Shout-outs:

To Caroline: I miss you most of all, and I hope you are loving life and feeling like everything is all figured out. I’ve noticed my humor becoming more similar to yours, most likely because I miss your jokes and need to make up for their loss somehow. Don’t worry, they’re not as funny from me as they are from you.

To Beck: Fond memories of our adventures and late-night yapping keep me feeling like I can’t entirely abandon my life and start anew at sea. I am so excited to live with you this fall! Be bold, and happy Mountain Goats Monday.

Mom and Dad: I love you guys to no end. I wish I could update you every day on all that I’ve been up to. In the meantime, please look forward to a lengthy photo-album powerpoint, and updates on all I’ve learned about tall ships (and polar exploration).

I remember complaining to you once, Mom, about Microsoft Word grammar-correcting my Oxford commas. You texted me back, “This too shall pass.” Livin’ the high life with so little phone and computer time has made me more impatient with my computer’s hiccups and faults. A few times while typing this blog post, I thought and laughed, “This too shall pass.”

I want to let you both know that I am so incredibly happy and taking in stride changes and challenges that a few years ago would’ve knocked me down. Thank you for encouraging me to push my limits; it’s given me everything I need to make the most of my time here <3.