All aboard the SSV Seamans!

Samantha Weil, Cornell University

Two weeks in Oahu flew by so fast, I can't believe we're boarding the sailing vessel today!

The past two weeks were full of activities. Each day we had classroom instruction or reef snorkel surveys throughout Oahu. The rest of the day were field trips to research facilities such as Hawaii's Institute of Marine Biology in Kaneohe, restoring the 800-year-old fishpond, talking to guest speakers or extra-curricular activities such as visiting the North Shore, hiking waterfalls, surfing, gift shopping in Waikiki, and visiting the Pearl Harbor Memorial. Another big addition to the shore component was the quality of food we received each meal (shoutout to Jeff!) and I've been eating SOO much seafood and shaved ice since we got here (also can't forget the malasadas from Leonard's bakery). We also went to Waiahole Poi Factory in Kaneohe to try their famous poi and sweet lady Haupia ice cream. Also, big shoutout to the Hawaii Pacific University dining hall at Aloha Marketplace, they made the best croissants and guava juice. I made sure to get nice gifts for my loved ones back home, so if you're reading this you better not give me a hard time when I get back because I'm pushing the luggage weight limit
to pack them all!

We're halfway through this program and I'm so excited to live on boat for the next two weeks. Last summer I spent a month underway on a US Navy destroyer which I expect will be much different from being on sailing vessel. R.C. Seamans is so clean and neat, every space in here is utilized for something. We have a lab on deck as well as a library to focus on our research project. My shipmates Victoria, Siobhan and I are focusing on the coral bleaching percent cover and how that correlates with fish biodiversity. I'm super stoked to get to know the rest of the crew on board and learn some ship handling! My rack has a port window, so I get to watch the waves move as I fall asleep. At 1400 today we will be underway so I won't have any outside communications, but I can still post blogs. I'm a bit
nervous because I don't know if I'll get seasick but I usually don't so I should be fine. I can't wait to experience all that this vessel has to offer! Sending my love to Mom, Dad, Andrew, Jorge and everyone else!

Samantha Weil, Cornell University