SEA Semester in the News
An Ocean of Learning
UNH Today
By Jody Record ‘95

Right now, Ella Cedarholm ‘19 is somewhere off the coast of Lyttelton, New Zealand, on her way to Tahiti. Sounds exotic, right? Not in this case; this is a sailing voyage that isn’t about the destination, it’s about the journey and the research that takes place along the way.

Cedarholm is aboard the SSV Robert C. Seamans, a tall ship operated by the Sea Education Association (SEA), an undergraduate ocean education program based out of Woods Hole, Massachusetts. During the 40-day voyage that will cover 3,500 nautical miles, Cedarholm will share rotating watch shifts with her classmates, doing such things as being a lookout, steering, cleaning, deploying scientific instruments, even cooking. Of the 24-hour shifts, she is most looking forward to the hours between 1 a.m. and 7 a.m.

Today we crushed the infamous “line chase:” the three watches competed against each other in a relay to see who knew their lines the best. The chase had been hyped up for several days and depending on who you asked, we were either terribly nervous or incredibly excited. Each day, we’ve practiced setting and striking sails, but the line chase was our first opportunity to show that as individuals, we knew what we were doing.

We are finally getting into the rhythm of life at sea on the Seamans, and it could not be better! Last night, I had my first science watch at 1900, and we began by watching the moon rise, which was spectacular. It was almost a full moon, bright yellow, and it lit up the night sky.

SEA Semester in the News
Knox Senior Dives into Experiential Learning through SEA Semester
Knox College News

by Elise Goitia ‘18

Many Knox students study abroad in a myriad of countries. Other students forego the traditional route of reaching their destination—and take to the seas for their study abroad experience. International relations major Karen Lynch ‘18 enrolled in SEA Semester, a 12-week program where students take classes and conduct research aboard the research vessel SSV Corwith Cramer.

Had you asked me a year ago, I don’t think I’d say that I saw myself counting zooplankton on a ship that’s rolling over the occasional 10-foot swell in the future.  But that’s what lab duties on evening watch consisted of last night!  Between 2200 and 2300, Rachel and I tag-teamed a 100-count of zooplankton collected by A-Watch just before our shift.

At the wee hour of 01:00 this morning, my group - B Watch - began our first official watch. The dawn watch from 01:00 to 07:00 in the morning is beloved for its unparalleled view of the stars, its guaranteed sunrise sighting, and the tranquility that being awake at this otherwise unusual time brings.