Friendship and Safety

Will Sandke, B-Watch, Smith College

Today is my busy day. I had watch from 0100 until 0700 and I have watch again from 1900 until 0100. Which means not a lot of sleep, but I get to watch the sunrise and the sunset! This morning during watch I was on lab duty, so I processed a Neuston tow with Rose and then completed a DNA extraction for my group project on Sargassum shrimp parasites. Post watch number one I drowsily ate some quiche and then hopped back in my bunk for a three-hour nap. Since I was so productive during watch I opted for some leisurely deck time before lunch- prime bracelet making hour. I am on my 6th friendship bracelet of the trip so far. Since we don’t have access to internet, downtime is mostly occupied by reading, writing, or since I shared my string, bracelet making. Reminiscent of being at summer camp the whole boat experience inspires a certain simple creativity. Plus, bracelet making affords one the ability to practice knots. Another good friendship bracelet time (if you are off watch) is between lunch and class.

Class today will be another weekly safety drill. Last safety drill was an MOB drill- Man Overboard in which we deploy the MOB poles, practice spotting, and heave to. This time we did a Fire and an Abandon Ship Drill. It is important that we go over everything we have to do in order to be prepared just in case. My watch, B Watch, is charged with sail handling in any of the three main emergencies. We really have to know our lines. We have to be prepared to take care of the ship. On the Cramer the motto is “ship, shipmates, self” in that order and we are practicing that first hand. Safety first!

(Hey mom, dad, Emma, and the rest of my family- love and miss you! Give Wilbur and Addie a nice pat for me. Also, hey Abbey and Nat and all my pals I love and miss you guys! See you soon!)

- Will Sandke, B-Watch, Smith College