Thank you, Shipmates!

Craig Marin, Assistant Professor of Maritime Studies

On many of my SEA Semester programs, I have the pleasure of writing a blog post like this one near the end of a voyage. From the perspective of my position outside of the watch schedule, I witness a transformation of students from inexperienced crewmembers who know very little about how to operate the ship to the confident, fully integrated shipmates who make everything happen on board the Corwith Cramer. Indeed, the student crew of C-294 is now a group of experienced sailing researchers who can heave to for science, prepare the hydro winch and ready the J-frame for a deployment.

But, in saying this about the C-294 students, I am only telling part of the story of what they have accomplished.  Indeed, while the Cramer is usually the place where the motto of “ship, shipmate, self” becomes important and where the mutual reliance and sacrifice for others comes into play, our combined programs of Ocean Exploration and Atlantic Odyssey, offered in the midst of a pandemic, called on everyone to embrace this ethic early. And, wow, did they ever!  The wonderful community that formed during the shore component and welcomed in the professional crew when we transitioned to the ship, the patience and energy that sustained that community, and, it is no exaggeration to say, the successful completion of this program were all due to the commitment of these students to accomplish something great despite the many hurdles they faced in these challenging times. I feel extraordinarily fortunate and honored to call them shipmates, and I am in awe of each and every one of them.

Fair Winds!
Craig Marin
Assistant Professor of Maritime Studies