Windward Passage

Author: Tegan Tanner, B- Watch & Salve Regina University

Another day living the Cramah life! Each day is different and today was no exception. B-Watch took the deck at 0700 and set the topsail, course, and raffe with the storm trysail and mainstay sail already being up. It was the first day we sailed the raffe so it was exciting. Before we knew it we were sailing through huge windrows and matts of Sargassum. Unfortunately, there was a lot of plastic mixed in throughout the floating rafts of Sargassum.

Matt of Sargassum with plastic debris located through the Windward Passage.

Jeff Shell dip-netted the plastic and I sorted it and threw back the Sargassum. We found a plastic spoons to shoes to tiny mircoplastics which filled up 2 buckets. Jeff thinks that the plastic associated with the Sargassum was due to eddies because plastic in the amounts observed today are not common.

After dip-netting Jeff and I worked on the groups research project which is looking at Sargassum physiological tolerances specifically in relation to temperature and salinity. It has been fun working on a research project while at sea.

Antione cleaning the celling on field day

After Watch we had field day which is cleaning the boat all together.  The third picture is of Antione cleaning the ceilings while dancing. Best part about field day is having the fire house to cool down with! Once cooled down I went up to the elephant table to read and relax. It was a great way to end the day.

P.S Hi to mom, dad, and Wyatt love and miss you all. Thinking of you daily!

Tegan Tanner, B- Watch & Salve Regina University

Contact: Douglas Karlson, Director of Communications, 508-444-1918 | dkarlson@sea.edu