Today marks day two of our passage to Wellington. Despite the watch officer transition yesterday, things have been running smoothly and everyone is happily settling into life offshore once again.

Today was day one of our 12-day sail from Russell down to Wellington.  The near future is both exciting and daunting as we will not set foot on land for the next two weeks or so.  With that being said, everyone is settling back into the groove of being on a watch schedule and adjusting well to life at sea after being anchored for two nights.

Finally having a full day in port after a long week of learning the ropes (pun), the crew was ready to fill our one full day in the Bay of Islands with as much as we could before setting off on the long journey to Wellington. The day was to be separated into three main activities; a tour of the Waitangi Treaty Grounds, “research time,” and dinner back aboard the Robert C. Seamans with important guests that were friends of Professor Jeff Wescott.

Day four of sailing, and we’re already accustomed to life at sea! It took a few days for a couple of us to gain our sea legs, myself included. Some waves are bigger than others, and I definitely could feel the bigger waves. But now, the gentle rocking, the unbalanced moments, and everything else the Pacific has to offer us, can now be fully embraced.

A 21st birthday celebration on land is deceivingly similar to that underway. Full of well wishes, tasty cakes, reflection, and likely some vomiting. I began my morning with a watch shift, where we made sure the boat was safe and secure and that all was well as the sun rose.

Only one day remains until we get underway! The excitement about setting off and going out to sea is becoming more tangible, as that time and date draws ever nearer.

After a wonderful night’s rest in our 6’ x 3’ x 3’ coffins (bunks), we woke up for an all-hands breakfast. Some more ship orientation occurred, and we cleaned the ship, with each watch group having a separate task. Amidst all the deluge of information, I keep asking our chief mate, Rebecca, about climbing aloft to the top of the mast. Unfortunately, that day will come much later.

The Global Ocean, New Zealand program begins Jan. 2nd at the SEA campus in Woods Hole. After about six weeks of classroom work, students join the SSV Robert C. Seamans in Auckland, New Zealand on Feb. 12th. The voyage ends in Christchurch, N.Z. on March 22nd after port stops in Russell, Wellington, and Dunedin.

As we arrive back into the Hauraki Gulf where this trip began, I have been reflecting on helm duty. Since we left the dock in Auckland one month back, I figure I’ve logged well over one full day at the wheel (as has every trainee and intern aboard). For interns, this includes additional stints driving during our daily class and other all-student activity. This short chunk of time is just enough to make me dangerous (if that) – and it has taught a few key lessons.

SEA Semester in the News
Taking the classroom to the sea
Sasha Nyary
Mount Holyoke News

The experiences of two SEA Semester students from Mount Holyoke, Sal Cosmedy and Mia Sigler, currently sailing aboard the SSV Robert C. Seamans with class S-283, The Global Ocean, New Zealand, are described in an article on the college website.