It Takes an Army (or a Watch)

Ashley, B Watch, Colorado School of Mines

Now that we have been on the Corwith Cramer for a few days, the ship and its crew are settling into a steady rhythm. As I am writing this blog, I have just completed the morning watch with my watch group: Bella, Gabe, Maggie, Lucy, and Larry, along with our mate on watch, Thane, and scientist, Süpi.

While we are on watch, we make sure the ship is running as it should, a task more easily said than done. Being on watch means our team is looking after the deck, steering, sail handling, cleaning, observing the weather, navigating, assisting engineering, deploying scientific instrumentation, processing data, watching for ship and crew safety, and more.

Before we left for the boat, we had some time on shore to touch on many aspects of life at sea, but there is nothing like being thrown right into it. We are always wearing a myriad of hats. Today, for example, I got to help out with engineering for most of the watch, making sure systems are in order by climbing into the fore pump room, the engine room, dry stores, the playhouse (deck generator), and even the rescue boat to check gauges, oil, and the functionality of equipment. Every nook and cranny on board holds something important to the operation of the ship. It really is bigger on the inside! Along with all the engineering tasks, I got to assist with sail handling and the morning chores.

Getting the ship to work the way it does is not a task that any one person could handle on their own, so we all rely on each other to work together. My watchmates and I are always at the ready for whatever the sea can throw at us. Recently, it has been throwing us quite a bit, so a few crew members have come down with seasickness. The sickness should pass soon once everybody gets their sea legs, but in the meantime, we are here to support the ship and each other, even if it means holding them up on the leeward side!

Every moment aboard the Cramer is filled with new experiences and opportunities to learn. I sleep soundly knowing the other watches are looking out for the ship, their shipmates, and themselves. I can’t wait to see what the rest of this trip has in store!

P.S. A very happy belated birthday to Hailey! I hope 22 is treating you well. I miss you so much and can’t wait to see you this summer! Please give Evie lots of pets from me. Sending you all the hugs from across the ocean <3 A happy belated birthday to my dad too! Miss you and the rest of the family a bunch. I hope y’all are thriving. Love you! Sending pets to Leo, Hope, Pluto, and Nora.

Ashley, B Watch, Colorado School of Mines

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