Programs Blog

Colette Shaw, C Watch, Eckerd College

Ship’s Log

Noon Position

22 51.299′ N 158 32.725’W

Ship Heading and Speed

350 at 6 knots

Sail Plan

Main, Forstays’l, Mainstay’l, and Jib

Weather / Wind

Wind is SE 4, Sea is SE 4, Clouds are 5 and Cumulus, temp is 28.5 C

Souls on Board

The Robert C. Seamans set off from Honolulu yesterday mid-afternoon. Spirits were high as the island disappeared behind us, and even higher as we set out our first sails for San Diego. By midnight, those on the first night watch, and the more seasick among us, got our first glimpse of the stars, which on a dark ship, and far enough from shore, reach down nearly far enough to touch the bioluminescence below us. Today also marked the first tow of our neuston net, deployed to catch the tiny creatures and microplastics that brought us here in the first place.

We are looking forward to getting further into the gyre and out of the heat, and to all the things we may find in our nets there.

Colette Shaw, C Watch, Eckerd College