Last sight of land

Today, C watch was woken up at the tender time of 6:00, with the scents of breakfast sandwiches wafting through the lower deck. We were motor sailing from the Continental Shelf to the canyons, at a speed of 4.1 knots, over raging waves of 4-5 feet. It was our first full day without any sight of land, as we had motored SE from Provincetown during the night. However, our stomachs could barely hold on to our breakfast, as we soon left a trail of McBrittles for the bottlenose dolphins trailing the ship. Even Aldin, with his abdominals of steel, eventually succumbed to the rocking of the boat.

While some students lay abjectedly to the side, breathing for dear life, the lab watch launched a Secchi, as well as a phytoplankton net fruitful with phytoplankton and a super lobster. The deck watch took hourly checks and readings, and steered the ship. Our stomachs were reprieved when we came within about 50 nm of the canyons, and the seas calmed and the Cramer was able to use the wind and sails. After filling our drained stomachs, we then set the gybe to move the stern towards the wind. However, our relief was short-lived when the captains realized we were blowing too far SE, and needed to use the motor. Exhausted, C watch climbed into their bunks, and all was dark. As we drifted off, we couldn't help but realize our thankfulness for our parents' care, and the security of our home.

- Aldin & Emma