Four Lowers on the way to Nova Scotia

Author: Kara Baird ‘20

A little introduction for this narrative. Chief Scientist Jeff Schell
requested a crew log entry, so I volunteered. My name is Kara Baird and I am
a Program Assistant for Ocean Classroom. I have been living with the
students on campus since their program started and have shifted into a
deckhand role on board the Cramer. I graduated from Proctor Academy in 2020
and was an Ocean Classroom student aboard Roseway in 2019. I have been
sailing tall ships since my Ocean Classroom and am so excited to facilitate
the same environment for the students that I once had.

Today was a hefty day for C Watch, but they stood up to the challenge! We
had dawn watch (0100-0700) and night watch (1900-0100). The students have
been practicing their skills in lab with a nighttime meter net deployment
and many hundred counts. Their skills in navigation are advancing as they
are plotting dead reckoning and accounting for set and drift on a paper
chart. I don’t spend much time in lab as I am deckhand, but I am so
impressed with the work I have been able to see. The students’ knowledge has
expanded from struggling to draw copepods in the on shore lab, to being able
to spot them in seconds in Cramer’s lab. Throughout the watches, students
were given challenges and always rose up to the task at hand. We struck and
furled the main’sl and jib in less than 30 minutes. Again, so amazed by
their quick progression!

One thing I valued on my Ocean Classroom was the ability to be present. We
must always be observing how the environment around us impacts our sails,
the vessel, and our own person. We also have time to be less focused off
watch and are able to enjoy time on deck with our shipmates. Because we are
in an environment built on thoughtful actions and little distraction from
the outside world, we are able to strengthen our community and ourselves.
Students are playing cards, reading books, learning instruments, taking
notes in their Sheet Anchors. They are constantly growing and asking to
absorb more. It is truly a pleasure to be a part of the unique community
that Ocean Classroom builds and see how SEA’s focus on science strengthens
it.

Best,
Kara Baird ‘20
Program Assistant, C Watch