Finding My Sea Legs

Hannah White, B watch, Michigan State University

After a few days aboard Robert C. Seamans, I am finally beginning to adjust to life at sea. I'm not going to lie to my friends and family who may be reading this, the seasickness hit me hard (as you can see in the first picture). Luckily, today was the first day things began to turn around for the better! For the first time yet, I was able to complete a full boat check while on watch (which involves climbing around the steamy depths of the engine room to read MANY small dials). Today has felt really refreshing, and I could not be more thrilled to continue on in this journey!

Sunny and Hannah enjoying afternoon snack!

Life on board is hectic but rewarding in so many ways. My first watch was from 01:00 to 07:00, known as the Dawn watch. Trying to navigate your way around your first watch in complete darkness while combating the worst nausea you've experienced in years isn't the easiest task, however, even in those moments I could look up and see the most surreal starry night sky. With no light pollution out here, the milky-way stretches from horizon to horizon. It is truly one of the most mind-blowing things I've ever witnessed (the bioluminescence isn't so bad either).

Overall, I could not be more grateful that my sea legs have kicked in, and I cannot wait for more starry nights to come, even if that means waking up at 01:00 again.

**Also- Happy Birthday Nick, love and miss you lots. Party hard ?** -Hannah White, B watch, Michigan State University