June 15, 2010
By Sarah Wegmueller
The SSV Corwith Cramer hosts a unique group of people. We span generations, and we come from all different regions of the United States. One person oversees autopsies, and another is a writer for NASA. Two teach high school science while another crewmember films surgeries at Columbia University Medical Center. In the few days that we've spent together on this vessel, the group of scientists, researchers, and crew has forged a supportive and sensitive community.
Marilou Maglione and I have been able to practice learning the sail lines; Juliet Alla helped me remember how to tie a rolling knot with two half hitches. Matt Ecklund constantly brightens B Watch with his Minnesotan good humor, and Marina Cassio, Jenan Kharbush and I have created a daily workout routine. While it is difficult to find privacy on the ship, I've been able to appreciate stillness with my fellow watchmates. Jenan and I sat atop the science lab last night watching the waves pass, and, after chatting for some time, settled into a calm silence as we both reflected on the ocean, plastic, and our role on the Cramer.
Yesterday afternoon B Watch's teamwork paid off. We were in a relay race against A Watch and C Watch to name all of the sail lines on the ship. The seven of us (Ted Snedden, Dave Lawrence, Matt, Marilou, Jenan, Marina, and I) met before the race to go over the lines one last time before the race, and then lined up ourselves. Once the race commenced, Captain Chris exclaimed that he was happy to see how encouraging each watch was for its teammates. B Watch won by a landslide, undoubtedly due to the support that we all gave one another. Following the race and a triumphant conga line dance around the deck, we continued to cheer on the other watches.
I am grateful for the sense of community that I've found on this ship. Leaving the people I love was not an easy decision, and I certainly questioned it during the flight to Bermuda. We are all literally in this boat together, working to assess just how much plastic there really is in the ocean and to determine its effects on marine life. Our joint goal helps us understand where each other is coming from, and it creates a strong, supportive group to carry forward this expedition.
