Programs Blog

Author: Amelia Rastley, B Watch, Colgate University

Ship’s Log

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

Noon Position (Lat and Long): 17 º 17.282’S 179 º21.381’E

Ship Heading (degrees): 0 – we’re at anchor!

Ship Speed (knots): 0 – we’re at anchor!

Log (nm): 391.1

Weather / Wind / Sail Plan (from 1300 Watch Change): Wind: ESE direction, force 2; Sea: ESE direction, 0.5 wave height; Sky: Sunny and hot with cumulous clouds

Description of location: Anchored in Dere Bay off the coast of a village on Koro Island

 

It’s gotten to that point in our journey where we are all tired constantly, no matter how much we sleep. Does it matter? NO! You can sleep when you’re dead and right now there are too many beautiful coral reefs to explore, and we have a mission to complete. However, being tired does lend itself to an increased level of silliness that we haven’t seen from certain members up to this point on the trip.

For example, we are all currently geeking out over the name of a certain coral… Platygyra! Why? I couldn’t tell you, but the more you say it the more people laugh, and the more others laugh the harder it is for you to stop. We also can’t stop our performances of Disney movies and our renditions of Disney songs, the most popular have been: “How far I’ll go” from Moana and “Under the Sea” from The Little Mermaid. There have also been so many impressions, funny voices, and running jokes that there is always something goofy happening on board. The dancing, singing of Tyga’s song “Water,” utilization of pop culture vocabulary, and constant references to old and recent memes and Tik Toks have really put a fun spin on things (such as chores) that would otherwise be mundane, boring or tedious, but are now a collection of hilarious memories.

Anyway, back to the beautiful coral reefs. As mentioned, we are currently anchored in Dere Bay, and these are by far the most beautiful reefs I have ever seen, including the preceding ones seen on this trip. We have become so efficient at conducting our snorkel surveys and collecting our data, that we have been able to have free snorkel time to explore! While exploring near our snorkel site today, my watch group was able to see a 4-6ft white tip reef shark and an octopus! I was able to spot the sneaky and camouflaged octopus by noticing a little bit of movement and just sitting and watching the same area for a minute. Once it moved again and I spotted it, I was able to call everyone else over to point out the octopus. She was a chonky thing, and a lot bigger than you would expect to find in the wild ocean. It was so cool to watch her as her arms flailed about as she smushed herself into the smallest hole imaginable to hide from us. There were also a few parrotfish swimming around the reef. These fish have quickly become my favorite fish to see because they have a funny, parrot shaped beak for a mouth, they are very brightly colored, and they swim with their pectoral fins flipping upwards in single clean strokes. They are a wonderful thing to lose yourself watching.

Since getting out of the water, it was a crash back to reality as well all had to turn full steam ahead into processing our data. The amount of data we are collecting is enormous and requires a lot of work each day to stay on top of it all so that its manageable. However, even while processing said data, we are still able to admire the reef through the pictures that were taken to maintain a permanent record. We also still find ways to have fun when processing the data. We all pile in the main saloon and the library and we all work together to get things done, and in the process, funny things are said, distractions occur, and we are able enjoy the community we have built while all working towards our own goals.

To my family: I love and miss you guys lots! Mwah <3

Amelia Rastley, Baddie Watch, Colgate University