Current position of the SSV Corwith Cramer. Click on the vessel to view position history. Use the tools, top right, to change the map style or view data layers. Dates and times use GMT (Greenwich Mean Time).
SEA Currents: SSV Corwith Cramer
May 21, 2020
Class on the Quarterdeck: Remote Learning from SEA
The Madden Center at Sea Education Association, Woods Hole, MA.
During this period of social distancing, the faculty of Sea Education Association is pleased to offer a series of lectures called "Class on the Quarterdeck: Remote Learning from SEA." These online events are free and open to the public. To "attend" a lecture, simply click one of the links below.
Upcoming Lectures
To be announced.
Previous Lectures
Wednesday, April 22nd, 3 pm
The Anthropocene, Art, and the Humanities, Dr. Mark Long, Associate Dean for Academic Partnerships; Associate Professor of History and Social Science
Some thoughts, questions, and a conversation about what role art and the humanities can play in solving the complex and difficult problem of climate change. Can art and the humanities help shape different narratives that open up new possibilities for change?
Weren't able to attend the live event?
Tuesday, April 28th, 2 pm
Coral Reefs in a Changing Ocean, Dr. Heather Page, Assistant Professor of Oceanography
Coral reefs are beautiful, fascinating ecosystems that provide many benefits to our global ocean and mankind. But coral reefs are in trouble. Journey with us to the Caribbean Sea as we investigate past, present, and future challenges facing coral reefs. Finally, learn how we as a community of individuals can contribute to the preservation of these valuable coastal ecosystems.
Weren't able to attend the live event?
Thursday, April 30th, 2 pm
Sailing to Mars via Earth's Newest Landmass, Dr. Kerry Whittaker, Assistant Professor of Oceanography
On September 27th, 2019, the SSV Robert C. Seamans departed Pago Pago Harbor, American Samoa, bound for Earth’s newest landmass located in the Kingdom of Tonga. This landmass was formed in an explosive volcanic eruption connecting the uninhabited islands of Hunga Tonga and Hunga Ha’apai (HTHH). The mission: to better understand the biology and geology of this new volcanic landmass. HTHH is unique, in that it represents the first new and persistent landmass formed on Earth in the age of satellite remote sensing. HTHH has been deemed ‘Mars on Earth’ due to its similarity to Mars topography, and offers the opportunity for researchers to understand island evolution and formation in real time. This project involved a special collaboration between the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Kingdom of Tonga, and Sea Education Association (SEA). In this webinar, SEA Chief Scientist Dr. Kerry Whittaker will discuss the collaborative scientific and educational mission at HTHH, and share the experience of sailing to Mars on Earth, and studying Earth’s newest landmass, Hunga Tonga- Hunga Ha’apai.
Weren't able to attend the live event?
Thursday, May 7th, 2 pm
From Sugar to Storm Surge: Using the History of the Plantation Complex to Contextualize Climate Change Issues in the Caribbean, Dr. Craig Marin, Assistant Professor of Maritime Studies
In many histories of the Caribbean, the development of the sugar plantation complex is at the center of the economic, political and social histories of the Greater and Lesser Antilles. What is often overlooked is the environmental impact of this system of production. Learn about the ways that students in Caribbean-focused SEA Semester programs take a more environment-focused approach to understanding the plantation production process. Discover how they unearth the connections between actions taken as early as the 17th and 18th centuries and the challenges of climate change mitigation in the islands today.
Weren't able to attend the live event?
Tuesday, May 12th, 2 pm
Dispatches from the Sargasso Sea, Dr. Jeff Schell, Professor of Oceanography, Program Director for SEA Semester: Colonization to Conservation in the Caribbean
Dr. Schell will update us on SEA research into the mysteries of the Sargassum ecosystem. Sargassum is an open ocean seaweed found in the Atlantic Ocean that fosters a unique community of mobile fauna - a drifting oasis in the sea. It is important as an open ocean ecosystem, but recently has had negative impacts on Caribbean islands when large influxes swamp ports and beaches disrupting economic activity. Much is still not understood about temporal variability and physical mechanisms determining the distribution of this unique algae as well as the biodiversity of this drifting habitat. Much has been speculated from satellite and model studies, but little has been observationally verified. Fortunately, SEA has one of the largest in-situ datasets of Sargassum so we have an opportunity to verify which theories are correct. Go to SEA's research website for further information on Sargassum research.
Weren't able to attend the live event?
Thursday, May 21st, 2 pm
Safety Culture and Accident Avoidance, Captain Elliot Rappaport, Professor of Nautical Science
What just happened? That may be a more complex question than you think. Tour some common elements of accidents and understand how the marine industry, among others, uses this knowledge to create safer operating environments. Captain Elliot Rappaport is a Professor of Nautical Science at SEA, where he lectures on Navigation, Leadership, Meteorology and Bridge Resource Management.
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