Programs Blog

Author: Jordyn Worshek, A Watch, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

Ship’s Log

Saturday, 20 April, 2024

Noon Position (Lat and Long): 35°13.827’S x 145°31.087’W

Ship Heading (degrees): 342° True

Ship Speed (knots): 4.6

Taffrail Log (nm): 2551 NM

Weather / Wind / Sail Plan (from 1300 Watch Change): Motor sailing with
partly cloudy skies, under the main and fore staysails, 19°C, wind from the
N

Description of location: Southern Pacific Gyre Core

Ever since we got underway I’ve noticed more and more how time works
differently aboard the ship. Some of it has to do with our crazy schedule,
being awake at all hours of the day, and having all of our tasks, projects
and sheet anchors on our minds constantly. It gets harder and harder the
longer we’re on the ship to keep track of days. I feel as if today came much
too swiftly, but at the same time took forever. By writing this blog post
I’m aware now that we’ve been underway for more than 20 days. It feels like
we were just on shore, but at the same time been at sea for a year. One of
my friends, Finn, said something along the lines of “There is only the ship.
We were born here and know nothing else but the ship and sea.” It was a joke
of course, but at the same time it feels kind of true.

We also are nearing the end of our shadow phase on the ship and soon all of
us students will be in charge of running the ship and making sure everything
that needs to get done gets done. That is a scary thought, but not as scary
as it used to be. At the beginning, so many years ago now, we started out as
sailors in training with most of us having no experience being on a sailing
vessel. Since then we’ve all learned how the ship works, how to set and
strike sails, how to steer on the helm, which ways certain people like to be
woken up for watch, navigation by celestial bodies, and exactly how to do
all of our science in the lab. With Captain Allison and the mates’
instruction we also know exactly what to do in case of emergencies. (Don’t
worry Mom, they are very unlikely.) All of what we have learned is about to
be put into practice in the Junior Watch Officer phase which starts on
Tuesday. So I think another month from now (although in reality only 3
days).

In another month, we’ll be in Tahiti. Or at least that is how it feels even
though in my mind I know it’s only two weeks from now. I know I’m not the
only one who loses track of days. It’s not “cabin fever” bad but at this
point in the trip everyone is a little…loopy. I don’t know exactly when it
happened, but everyone hit a point where the only option is to be silly,
even me. Being at sea does that to you I think, especially where we are and
for how long this trip is. At the beginning we think, oh it’s no big deal,
it’s only a few weeks. In reality it’s definitely not like that. Time is
relative and I’ve seen that more and more on this ship. The stars have
moved, the ship is moving constantly, and the sun is now on the opposite
side of the ship now that we’ve officially made our big turn towards Tahiti.
And still keeping track of time is difficult. I’m even wearing a watch every
day that tells the time and date, and I still can’t keep track. But I know
soon enough we’ll be at our destination and get to feel the sand between our
toes and smell the sweet tropical air. Maybe back on land keeping track of
time won’t be so difficult.

Shout outs: Hey Melissa, I hope you and all the pets are doing well. I miss
you more than you know and I can’t wait to get to call you when we reach
Tahiti. Then it’s only two more weeks until I get to see your beautiful
face. I love you so much and I’m still writing in my journal for you every
day. I think this is the longest I’ve ever kept a journal haha. Give all the
babies lots of extra pets for me and tell Suki and Mister I’ll be home soon.

Mom, Dad, Brendon and Lindsey, I hope you are all doing well and yes Dad I’m
still “sharking it.” I can’t wait to call and tell you about all the
adventures and what I’ve learned being here. Give Penny, Remmy, Grandma,
Crosby, and Butters extra pets from me!

To all my friends back on shore reading the blog, I can’t wait to hear what
you’ve been up to while I’ve been out at sea not connected to the world. I
know we’ll have lots of stories to swap when I return.

Jordyn Worshek, A Watch, SUNY College of Environmental Science and
Forestry