Sea Expedition: Caribbean Voyage for Adult Learners

Adult Learners Program

Sea Expedition: Caribbean Voyage for Adult Learners

Adult Learners Program

Join A 10-day immersive program for lifelong learners of all backgrounds interested in exploring marine science while living and sailing aboard SEA’s SSV Corwith Cramer in the Caribbean.

Become a fully integrated member of the ship’s crew and learn the fundamentals of offshore sailing, gain insights into the long history of human interactions with the marine environment in the Caribbean, and work with SEA faculty and crew and local marine scientists on current conservation efforts in coastal marine environments. This program includes coral reef conservation and connections to broader ocean health. In joining this scientific voyage, you will contribute to and learn more about SEA’s long-term collaborations with science and policy experts in the region. You will actively deploy scientific equipment, collect and analyze data, and contribute to ongoing conservation work.

Due to the physical requirements of this program, all participants must complete a screening call, review and sign SEA’s Code of Conduct, and be medically cleared. Please be sure to review SEA’s Essential Eligibility Criteria.

Port Stops: St. John & St. Thomas, USVI

Program Cost: $6,400

Enroll Today

Fall 2025

Sessions

Nov 16 - Nov 25

St. Croix to St. Croix, USVI

Dec 1 - Dec 10

St. Croix to St. Croix, USVI

Sail Training & Seamanship

Central to this voyage is the challenge of coming together as a team to operate a tall sailing ship at sea. Participants in the Sea Expedition: Caribbean Voyage for Lifelong Learners are not just passengers; they are active members of the ship’s crew, fully engaged in the day-to-day operations of the SSV Corwith Cramer. They will be assigned a watch rotation where they oversee all aspects of the ship’s operation for 6-hours. While on watch, participants can expect tasks related to the following:

Celestial and Electronic Navigation

Monitoring of Machinery and Communications

Conducting Science Deployments

Galley Meal Preparation and Ship Upkeep

Emergency Response

Under the leadership of the U.S. Coast Guard licensed captain and mates, participants receive direct instruction in traditional and modern navigation, sail handling, vessel management, and other tasks associated with watch standing. These lessons go beyond technical skills, offering real-world opportunities to practice communication, team building, mindfulness, and a strategic approach to problem-solving. The unique environment of a working ship challenges individuals to adapt, collaborate, and contribute to the success of the team.

Science at Sea

During watch rotations, participants will have the unique opportunity to conduct marine research while sailing under the guidance of the Chief Scientist and Marine Technicians. Data collected by participants contribute to cumulative data sets that provide critical annual monitoring of these marine coastal areas for key stakeholders. This data includes biodiversity information, sea temperature and salinity, chemical nutrient measurements, sediment samples, and more. Participants will return home with a broader sense of the ocean’s importance to our planet and the need to preserve this precious resource for future generations.

The Blue Humanities in the Tropics

To place your sailing and the scientific work in context, you will hear from SEA faculty and local partners about the historic and contemporary uses of the coastal marine environment in the Caribbean. You will learn how government and nongovernment entities are working to undo the damage of centuries of intense resource extraction, build a resilient coastal environment, and promote sustainability in its use.