SEA Semester in the News
Sailing the high seas for adventure and research
McDaniel College News

Before heading to Woods Hole, Mass., and boarding the tall ship he would help sail to Ireland, Ian Kasaitis ’18 had never been farther from his Maryland home than New Jersey. 

But the lore of adventure coupled with encouragement from Biology professor Katie Staab fueled his application to SEA (Sea Education Association) Semester and what would be a life-changing experience.

“I had never been on an airplane let alone a ship in the Atlantic,” says the junior Biology major from Crofton, Md. “I wanted an adventure and to get off land and to do research.”

Here we are. Safely in Cadiz on the final day of program. The warm breeze a stark contrast from our cool, cloudy days in Cork at the very beginning of our adventure. And in the same way, our return to the busy land life quite a bit different from our small shipboard world on the vast high seas.

Chief Engineer reporting in again.  Sailing is lot of work, and the students and deck crew are kept busy by rolling waves, wind shifts, double-jibes, and setting/striking canvas.  Equally busy are the scientists in the lab, the stewards in the galley, and the engineers doing whatever it is we do.  Same can be said of Professor Dan, holding class every day, setting up lessons, and helping/motivating students to finish their projects.  With all this work that you’ve heard so much about, it’s time, I think, for a look at the lighter side of this voyage.

Hello faithful blog readers! First of all, thank you for your continued loyalty to the C-268 Daily Update. We at sea never really know who is reading until we return home, but we do get mild amounts of comfort knowing that our words are read by at least one or two folks (hopefully more).

Greetings!
I would like to take you on a 24 hour journey through the lens of the 3rd Assistant Scientist, and a proud member of A -Watch. We had the evening watch (1900-0100) meaning our August started at midnight. We were sailing 9 knots around Cape Vincent and the stars were amazing.

Hello everyone!

Quite another beautiful day at sea. Today, us C-Watcher’s made exactly 50 miles during afternoon watch (perhaps there is a steak dinner in Rocky’s future). At some points we were going 9-10 knots, which is pretty cool. It has been bitter sweet in knowing that each particular watch (of 6 hours) on this leg will be our last, but we are definitely enjoying every minute.

Hello family, friends, and followers of Cramer’s current cruise, We sailed this morning from Lisbon with hands in general quarters to get off the dock and down Rio Tejo, then returned to sea watches for our all-to-short transit to Cadiz, the final destination of C-268

We made it! We are in Lisbon! After our longest leg at sea we arrived early Tuesday morning. We were all buzzing with excitement at the sight of land; eager to finally see what we’ve been reading about in Cramer’s copy of LonelyPlanet: Portugal.

Today has been one of the busiest days I had on the Cramer. I started my day with a morning watch from 7am to 1pm with rest of my watch group (B Watch). I was the first to steer in the morning breezes, and it felt great to be on deck when the conditions were just about right. We have encountered some strong winds during our last two watches, but everything has calmed down a little this morning, so it was also easier to stay on course when I was steering.

Every day, our amazing galley team of Erin and Nina keeps us fed. Today, we let them sleep while the rest of the crew (mates, scientists, engineers, deckhands) filled in and cooked. We managed to feed everyone the usual 6 meals, but there is a reason “staff in the galley day” is also known as “steward appreciation day.” I only cooked one meal of the six, but that reinforced my opinion that the stewards are superhuman.