July 17, 2021

Author: Sam Fisher, B Watch, Georgia Gwinnett College

Today was a fairly normal day aside from the squalls, rainbows, and the tuna we caught (which was extremely exciting). As we’re leaving the gyre we are finally able to cease motoring and get back to good ol’ sailing. Unfortunately it seems that we will be heading back to the normal constant cloud cover. We are heading out of the gyre which means no more calm seas and a lot more wind.

B watch goes aloft.

The sun and calm seas were a much needed break from the almost constant cloud cover that we have sailed through and seems we’re heading back into, although it will be nice to see far less plastic as we sail out of the gyre. We all are doing well and are eager if not a tad solemn that we are half way through the trip and making our way back to the coast. Morale is still high as we are still finding ways to fill every moment with fun.

As we continue further into our voyage we are becoming more comfortable with the many daily tasks required both on and off watch. The more we handle sails and the more we do science deployments the more confident we become. I think we’re all excited to sail down the California coast and see all the charismatic megafauna along the way.

The sailing life is tough yet rewarding, between balancing sleep and social time and the ups and downs of watch it is nothing if not exciting and unique. We are all growing and becoming what I believe to be better versions of ourselves. Being isolated in the middle of the ocean brings life on land into perspective.

- Sam Fisher, Georgia Gwinnett College / B watch (best watch)

PS: Huge shout out to my little sister Emma, wishing you an amazing 18th birthday and I can’t wait to celebrate with you and help you get ready for college!!!!! Shout out to Madi who I hope is having a great summer!! I hope my parents are doing well and I can’t wait to see everyone when I get home!!

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