With the start of the new year, we are introducing a series of articles by Sea Education Association faculty and staff titled “Study Abroad and the Sea: Perspectives on Climate Change and the Ocean Environment.”  The series is a diverse and varied examination of relevant ocean topics for college students interested in ocean research and policy.  The first of this series examines the value of ocean literacy by SEA Assistant Professor of Oceanography Kerry Whittaker.

Here, on this last day of 2019, I find myself reflecting on another year as Oceanography Faculty with SEA.  Even today, gazing out onto snow falling along the New England coastline and piling onto branches, railings, and roofs, my mind can easily jump back to the quarterdeck of the Robert C. Seamans carried by the humid trade winds of the South Pacific, or aloft on the Corwith Cramer as we glide through the Bermuda blue water.

Things I learned on my first day as JWO (junior watch officer): it’s not as scary as it seems, your watch has your back, and when in doubt, the JWO survival guide holds the answer. It turns out calling the shots is a lot of fun, especially when everybody else’s goal is to help the JWO succeed.

Today was a day of celebration, as not one, but two shipmates had birthdays today, Jessie, and Jeff! We just rounded out the day, which was sunny and warm, with carrot cupcakes and a couple of rounds of Happy Birthday singing, including a Danish rendition by our resident Dane, Amelia.

Well hello there, land people! You’ve guessed it. It’s me, Maia. Today A watch woke up at 0600 for breakfast to start the day off with morning watch (0700-1300). After a not so good night of sleep from a lot of rocking, my mood was quickly turned around when I realized I was in lab!

“Thar she blows mateys! Lower the whale boats ya landlubbers and bring us back a beauty of the deep! Fire up the main furnace, Nate!” That’s our captain, Chris, bellowing to the crew to set out on a whale chase. Ha ha, I am kidding.

Hello land lubbers! Natalie from C Watch here. Today has been quite an eventful day. After a rocky night filled with many gybes, I awoke to my 0620 wake up call for breakfast. After some delightful breakfast burritos, I began my morning watch (0700-1300).

Hello there blog readers, wish you were all here sharing this experience with us. We’ve had an incredible day! Last night my fellow C watchers and I were on deck from 18:00 (7pm) until 01:00 (1am).

Day 4 consisted of an exciting, new, and breezy series of events. We started the day early, with a delicious breakfast made by our stewards before morning chores, getting into the routine of eating, cleaning, and taking care of the ship (our home for the month) together.

The intrepid students of SEA Semester S-289: Climate and Society have all arrived to SSV Robert C. Seamans in Auckland, New Zealand after completing shore components in Woods Hole, MA and the South Island of New Zealand.

Students of Class S-289, Climate & Society, board the SSV Robert C. Seamans in Auckland, New Zealand on Nov. 14th after a one-week second shore component on New Zealand’s South Island.  The voyage ends in Auckland on Dec. 15th after port stops in the Bay of Islands, Napier, and Great Barrier Island.