Programs Blog

Author: D’Elle Martin, University of Hawai`i at Mānoa

Ship’s Log

7 December 2023
Current Position: Napier Port
Ship’s Heading and Speed: None
Weather: Sunny with some clouds

Hello all,

We’ll be leaving Napier port soon, sailing out into the open ocean once
again. Napier left us with time to explore and catch up with loved ones;
maybe it also gave everyone some last minute laundry runs, as well as time
to see everyone (All Hands) at meal time! But most importantly, it marked a
turning point in our journey – coming back home.

Napier left us with a lot to think about. We learned of the sun, the stars,
and the creation of natural forces. We learned of the hardships faced by
rebuilding Hawke’s Bay after Cyclone Gabrielle—the mental strain and
community burnout. We saw the mountains of silt, the hazards of “slash,” and
the remnants of spray paint on rooftops marking evacuated houses. We talked
of both social and natural indicators of mitigating future disasters,
stressing the need to take the time to celebrate the progress made so far.
Napier was the destination, and now it is the jumping off point.

We are headed back to Auckland.

Signing Off,
D’Elle Martin (B Watch)
University of Hawai`i at Mānoa 

P.S. Shout-out to the Engineers Abby and Angi for keeping the ship running!
Shout-out also to Tierney and Amy! B-watch will miss you!!!

P.S.S. Sending love back home to Mom, Dad, Nika and Duncan. As well as
Gimllii, Sunka, Fred, China, Spotty, Pepper, Shadow, Phoenix, Dragon, and
Princess Marshmallow.

https://sea.edu/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/S312_7Dec2023_photo2_small.jpg