Programs Blog

Rikki Held, B Watch, Colorado College

Ship’s Log

Noon Position

13° 19.715’S x 145° 19.855’W

Ship Heading

227°

Ship Speed

2.8 kts

Taffrail Log

3991 nm

Weather / Wind / Sail Plan

Sailing on a starboard tack under the shallow reefed mains’l, main stays’l, jib, course, and tops’l. wind ExN F4 C/O 270 PSC, sea NE 2ft waves, cloud cover 4/8, cumulous and stratocumulus

Description of location

143 nm to Rangiroa

Souls on Board

All blogs from S-305

Last dawn watch included being at helm focusing on the red lit compass and looking up to see the mast drawing over the star filled sky. I was lookout as the eastern sky got slightly lighter with the coming dawn. Sunrise came followed by a short rain with a double rainbow to the west before turnover and breakfast and then bed. Evening watch went well and it was B watch’s first JWO (Junior Watch Officer phase) where students are expected to rely on each other and be in leadership positions to accomplish tasks such as sail handling as a watch. I was on dish so rushed to keep up with dinner cookware before the rush of post-dinner plates and my watch mates came after for galley cleanup. We set and struck several sails and double gybed for a neuston tow. These are just a few parts that make up a day, or blend one into the next.

I’m working in the salon now. I missed breakfast but had the morning snack of a cupcake with cream cheese lemon frosting which was the best cupcake I’ve ever had. The next wordle guess is glamp. Tierney is getting some coffee and a cupcake, Jackie and Emily are in the galley cooking, Brighton is also working, and Craig is reading in the library.

Its 16:23 and I’m back at my spot in the salon after field (cleaning) day.

The best part of field day is walking to different parts of the ship where all kinds of songs are playing whether on deck where shipmates are scrubbing pans or the chart house where books and binders are being organized. I decided not to get a field day firehose shower so that I can keep working on my final group project but will probably wash my hair with salt water later.

Jackie is putting brownies into the midrats containers. Fish tacos were for lunch with the Mahi that was caught yesterday. We have port stops and other events coming up but all I need to focus on now outside of watch duties is sleep and the project due in just a few days.

I am standing on the port side, the high side, and leaning against the railing with a wide stance to keep from tipping. The wind is at my back and the sun low in the sky in front of me. It’s golden hour, and my last hour of afternoon watch. I paused from jotting down notes in my journal to ballentine or neatly coil the main halyard. I will do a boat and engine room check as well as weather before we strike the main for turnover. This afternoon we’ve struck the jib and tops’l, gybed to port tack and passed the main and main stys’l, and set the forestays’l. Diego is the Junior Watch Officer for 2nd half of watch and is going over things with Tierney now. The sun is closer to the horizon and behind some clouds. Nora is concentrated on the compass and sails at helm. A small group is gathered aft on deck boxes and Marshall has the guitar out. Calvin pointed out a cool sloping cloud formation. The half hour bell chimes so I need to go to boat check.

Its 19:41 after dinner and I’m back on the quarterdeck sitting in the dark with my red light on. We rock on the ocean as the wind and the waves continue to hold us in our sailing state. It’s quiet except the waves and occasional chatter around the helm. The waxing moon is hazy with clouds and a few bright stars are here and there. Today was a good day and one of many through the passage of time. It’s strange being close to the end of our trip. I haven’t tired of it all yet though. I appreciate everything coming in its own time. The wind and the sea carry on and the sun will be up before we know it.

It’s 21:03 and I’m still trying to figure out what to write about and what I’m trying to say. Perhaps nothing really and just some stream of conscious to give a glimpse of parts of this adventure. I’m surrounded by laughter and stories in the salon which is nice at the end of the day. It’s easy to be present in a constantly moving schedule or in the moments where you can look up and realize where you are. I’m tired and look forward to a night’s sleep before morning watch.

Fair winds,

P.S. Dad, looking forward to sharing all this with you and hope everything is going well at home!

Rikki Held, B Watch, Colorado College