Programs Blog

Thursday, 12 March 2026

15°13.207’N x 61°22.528’W

Ship Heading (degrees): 350° PSC

Ship Speed (knots): 7kn

Log: 662.5nm

Weather / Wind / Sail Plan (from 1300 Watch Change): Sailing on a starboard tack under the main, main stays’l, forestays’l, jib, and jib tops’l. Wind direction is NE, Force 2. Seas NNE, 1-2 feet.

Description of location: Just departed Dominica and headed for Anguilla.

Hello from Dominica!  I’m going to try my very best to narrate what it’s been like while anchored in Dominica and on board the Corwith Cramer for roughly three weeks. I was ecstatic (to say the least) when I laid eyes on Dominica’s mountainous shape on the horizon. After five long days underway from St. Croix and an obstinate case of underlying sea sickness, I couldn’t believe my eyes at the impressive beauty of the island.

A little bit about ship life: Our days are guaranteed to be jam packed regardless of being underway or at anchor. Tasks are typically delegated between watches (shout out Charlie Watch!) and they consist of scrubbing the boat clean to collecting data from one of our 5 coral reef survey sites. I have to say, I will never wish anyone to battle sea sickness for a week while calculating true wind… But all jokes aside, I’m seriously so grateful for my watch mates who always sing with me and keep it fun. A little birdy told me we’re known as the ‘theatre kids watch.’ But I would argue that singing Troye Sivan is different than belting Broadway tunes… I’m three weeks in (and counting) of deck hose showers, boat checks, and line jigging that I’m very proud of. As we depart Dominica and sail up the west coast of the island, we have set Cramer’s Mains’l, Mainstays’l, Forstays’l, Jib, and the JT! It’s supposed to be smoother sailing from here on out and the main engine is finally off (for now).

As I reflect on our time in Dominica, I remember the faces of the people we met along the way.  Our first day on shore was in Portsmouth Dominica: a small quiet town that used to be the main port for large cruise ships. After a hike up the Cabrits, Maya, Daphne, Shel, and I walked through the bustling town in a desperate search for lunch. Everywhere we turned there was no menu in sight and it seemed like buying food wasn’t in the cards for us. However, it turns out we were looking a little too hard. All we needed to do was ask for ‘lunch.’ A woman named Gloria kindly took our order of ‘lunch’ and whipped up a full plate of chicken, lentils, cassava, and cabbage/carrot slaw. It was delicious! We were sure to thank Gloria, and I asked her for smoothie recs nearby. She pointed us down the street where we found a small shop selling ice cold fruit smoothies. I don’t know if it was the absence of ice at sea or my sheer thirst, but I could argue it was the best smoothie ever.

As Maya, Daphne, and I continued to explore Portsmouth we came across a man by the name of Color-blind. After introducing ourselves, Color-blind brought us further down the main street to an art gallery. Outside the gallery, we were met by an older gentleman named Russ L (not to be confused for Russel) who welcomed us into his space. The walls were covered in vibrant canvases that depicted, what I could only describe as: spiritual explosions of color. Russ L explained his inspiration for art was ‘knowing and not just believing’ in God. He was a spiritual man but also open to talking about all kinds of Gods. I was drawn to a painted guitar hooked up to an amp in the center of the room. After asking if he plays, Russ L gladly picked up the instrument and took our breathe away. Each chord he played felt like we were getting a glimpse at his life. I didn’t just see a local man from Dominica playing an electric guitar, I saw an artist, world traveler, father, and brother. He was an inspiring man.

As we said goodbye, after spending what felt like hours in Russ L’s gallery, I took his portrait with my Olympus mju ii point and shoot film camera. During my six-week journey on the Cramer I’ve made it my side quest to photograph everyone I meet along the way. And I’m so glad Russ L could be one of those people. Now I can’t wait to return home just so I can finally get these rolls of 35mm film developed.

Anyways, thanks for reading my little peak into what we’ve been up to!  The sunset is beautiful right now and I know it won’t be the last. I’m really looking forward to exploring Anguilla and hopefully meeting more amazing people along the way.

Shoutouts: I love and miss you Mom, Dad, Kai, Keanu, and Maui! I can’t wait to call you with better service soon. And shoutout Columbia besties who are all around the globe right now, I’m getting so excited for senior year!!! Mikey, thank you for introducing me to your awesome family in Dominica! I’m so grateful I got to meet Mary Carol and Larry. I promised them I would be back, so we need to plan a trip soon!

Koa Chun, C-Watch, Columbia University