Programs Blog

Author: Katherine Rigney, Marine Tech

Ship’s Log

February 29, 2024

Position: Anchored in Wellington Harbour

Ship’s heading and speed: Not moving

Weather: All of them

On leap day, we get a whole extra day of this year. That’s rare! Except not
when you keep crossing the international date line all the time. But in
general, this kind of time travel is a pretty sweet deal. Here are some
thoughts I’ve had today, while enjoying a free gimme day from the universe:

–         If I was a frog, I think I would basically have loved this
morning. It was dreary and wet, both from the top (rain) and the sides (sea
spray). The only real big issue for a frog would have been the wind. When A
watch (my watch-amphibian watch?) took the watch at 0700, the wind was a
consistent force 6, which would have been plenty to really knock around a
smallish frog. If I were a frog in that kind of wind, I’d have to crouch
down real low and stay close to the deck. It would be VERY hard to control
the helm. I would have to ask for help.

–         I think the engine room would be very frightening if I was a frog.
There are many small holes to fall in, and hot moving pieces shaking. Do
frogs have sensitive ears? We would need to make a small set of frog-sized
hearing protection for any time that I went to do an engine check with the
main engine on (which actually sounds VERY cute, now that I think about it).
During my watch this morning, we motored for the second half, to ensure we
would make it to the Wellington Harbour limits according to the schedule set
for us by the frog authorities. Thank goodness I have people on my watch.
They all did engine room checks on my behalf.

–         Actually, going back, this morning had many weathers. In Brooke’s
astute observation, we had all of them during our watch. It was at different
times rainy and dry, sunny and cloudy, cold and hot, windy and not windy. I
think a frog would have been generally pretty happy with all of them. Except
maybe I would have dried out too much when it was hot and sunny. And I would
definitely have had a hard time striking and furling the mainsail on our way
in to our anchorage.

–         If I was a frog, I would have a hard time furling any sails,
because of the danger of becoming enclosed in the furl. I’ll say, I think I
would be EXCELLENT at lookout, despite the danger. Frogs are known for their
observational skills. And I bet I could look in more directions than I
usually can with my person eyes. I think I’d need a radio, because of how
long it would take me to hop back to the quarterdeck and report any
important clouds or other boats, and because I’d have to be SERIOUSLY
strapped in so that I did not fly away into the sea every time we hit a big
swell. But anyway, I would rely on my shipmates a lot. But I would
contribute a lot, too, in my way.

–         In that way, things would not change very much if I was a frog.
I’m so lucky to spend my time on this boat, surrounded by the people who
find themselves here. The ones who listen to that little, urging voice in
their heads telling them to try something absolutely outside of their
comfort zones. The ones who take care of each other along the way. The ones
who leap.

Shout out to Marshall’s mom! You raised a cool son who is doing at least
three jobs worth of jobs and being a really great shipmate in the meantime.
Literally everyone onboard says hello to you.

Shoutout also to Brooke’s mom, who has a VERY SPECIAL half birthday today!!
It’s four times worth of a half birthday, which actually equals two whole
birthdays. Big stuff.

Shout out also to my parents and siblings <3 I love and miss you all very
much, and can’t wait to talk a bit while we’re here in Wellington!

Katherine Rigney

First Marine Tech

https://sea.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/2.29small.jpg