As I write this, the students of C-284 are breaking down the posters they created to reflect on-site observations they made and the conversations they had with people regarding their individual projects in our five port stops.

SEA Semester presents an ocean of opportunity! Many of our alums continue their SEA Semester research back on their home campuses – and beyond. Kalina Grabb, who participated in SEA Semester class S-250 while an undergrad at Harvard University, recently returned to SEA as a coral reef specialist and instructor for our Caribbean Reef Expedition program. She is now a Ph.D. student in the MIT/Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) Joint Program, researching reactive oxygen species (ROS) and collaborating on a new submersible research instrument, called the DISCO, which she brought on board for this voyage for students to see in action. ⁣

The cooking prowess of our one and only Kevin Johnson is no secret aboard the Robert C. Seamans, as members of C house onshore got to experience firsthand. However, over the past few days, there have been murmurings aboard that Kevin would not get his galley day and would therefore not be able to bless us with his culinary genius.

This is it! The crux of anxieties and pressure as due dates arrive and we approach the long-anticipated ‘Puke-atan’ (Thank you, Beth Doxsee for that turn of phrase <3).

I can’t help reflecting back on memories of these final, stressful days from my own student trip, especially as we were joined in Grand Cayman by one of my student-class-mates, Everto! (Sending love to all of S242!)

Our final leg of the journey is upon us! We departed Wellington over the weekend for our final stop in Christchurch. The Junior Watch Officer phase, or JWO for short, has officially begun, much to my dismay.

March 18th, 2019; Later in the day and into the evening.

Today we celebrated our scientific achievements as each student shared their oceanographic discoveries with their shipmates.  For the last six weeks we have sailed across, immersed ourselves in, and studied this small patch of ocean called the Caribbean Sea; and collectively we have learned so much.

I knew that when I began hearing sail commands in echo in my dreams this was a life-changing experience. Having two years of sea-time helped me cope with the challenges of life on a tall ship. Mostly because I know how your mind goes a little crazy under the strain of the bitter sea which endlessly heaves mariners up, down and around.

Today was a sobering entry in an already unique time at sea and ashore. Our day began earlier than usual, with an 0600 wakeup precluding the usual breakfast and set of chores. By 0800 we were off to the famed Wellington cable car, which Eric pointed out was technically a funicular.

This morning started off like any other morning at anchor with a voice right outside my bunk letting me know it’s 6:30 am and breakfast will be starting in 30 minutes. I know I can get at least 10 more minutes of rest, but it’s a very dangerous game to play because I can’t press the snooze button on a person.

Picture this: It’s 0800 and you’re eating breakfast on the quarterdeck. You’re wearing the cleanest items of clothing which after 4.5 weeks on a boat equates a smell test. You’re having a conversation with your shipmates about what you’re the most excited to do today with your research time on shore.