Fall 2001 SEAmester East Journal
Sent weekly from sea by students on-board SEAmester ...
SEAmester Log, Part 5
Beaufort, North Carolina 10/25-10/29 (Two Entries)
There is nothing like being woke up at 0330 to dock a boat. You get on
deck, there's so much commotion, and you're not even awake enough to know
what's going on. After an hour and a half of the current going against us,
we finally docked at the Duke University Marine Lab in Beaufort, North
Carolina. Don't let the words Duke University fool you though, we were only
near where the grad students live and study. Yet awesome grad students they
were, friendly and helpful, I even met someone that grew up in the town next
to mine. We had an all hands field trip to the North Carolina Maritime
Museum, which was very interesting and free! A walk around town after that
had everyone spending some money. The next day was gorgeous! With temps in
the 80s and a science field trip to the mud flats, you better believe we
got some sun. Mr. Horatio Hornblower even found his way into some of our
hearts as we watched him work his way up the chain of command during three
parts of the movie. We were a pretty excited bunch when we found out that
their library was open 24 hours and the computers had access to the
internet! I saw the twinkle in some of my shipmates eyes as they spoke with
their friends on Instant Messenger. By now, the fifth day had rolled along
and as we waited out a cold- front and some storms, we all felt as if it was
Mystic revisited. But alas, a surprise! The Lettie G. Howard, another
schooner out of Maine, docked behind us AND it was full of guys. Most of us
were pretty happy that we had someone else to talk to, but being on a boat
mostly full of girls, it was an extra plus that they were guys. That's the
update, hope you enjoyed.
--Monica Ellis
SEAmester Student
A Morning Sailing With C-Watch
The day began at 0345 with a polite wake up by Skye and a warning that it
was pretty cold on deck. After donning our layers, something we have become
quite good at, we clambered on deck by 0350 for a C-Watch muster. By 0400
the deck was ours. I took over the helm at 0430 and steered us past South
Carolina. Looking around at the horizon I couldn't see land or another boat.
It was an amazing feeling to be all alone out on the ocean. The moon setting
was one of the most beautiful things that I had ever seen. The giant, then
orange, ball seemed to melt into the sea. Shayma climbed aloft in the dark
to fix the topsail with Shane, and got to view it from there. At 0500 Monica
and I went to the Nav (Navigation) Shack to have Ms. E's help in plotting
our course, finding our speed (in Knots), and trying to figure out our ETA
for St. Mary's GA. At 0600 Monica and I relieved Sam and Betty on bow watch.
The sun was just beginning to rise and since we were heading SW the horizon
off the port side of the boat was beginning to look like day while off the
starboard side it still appeared to be night. I was taken off bow watch to
help Betty and Sam with Soles (floors) and Bowls (toilets). We were called
back on deck to watch the sun rise and see the dolphins that came along to
play alongside of Harvey. The temperature began to rise as did our spirits.
At 0730 our fishing pole was pulled off the deck, luckily Shane grabbed it.
I got to reel in the Little Tunny (the 3rd of four Little Tunny and one Mahi
Mahi caught on the trip) and filet it. At 0800 our watch was over and it was
time for breakfast. Usually we are all so tired and cold that we eat a
little bit and head right to bed. That morning had been so amazing that Mary
led us in sing alongs at the table. None of us were quite ready for bed
yet, though I think Jay wanted us to, only because he didn't like our choice
of bad '80s songs. Jay could complain all he wanted, he slept through our
watch since he was galley slave. Though we all do thank him for the
brownies. Classes began at 0900 and those who didn't have class (or watch)
slept most of the day. The dolphins spent most of the day with us and we
watched them in awe. Those cleared for the Head Rig were allowed to out,
including four C-Watchers (Shayma, Sam, Mary and myself), and see them jump
and swim under our feet. The day was perfect; no one even got sea-sick. This
is why we all signed up for this adventure. This is SEAmester!
-Jayme DiStefano
SEAmester student
Previous Fall 2001 SEAmester East entries:
Log 1: Prof. Chris Hamilton
Log 2: Marissa Benigno
Log 3: Andrew Hudak
Log 4: Skye Schmidt
Prof. Hamilton's Journal Archive
Spring 2001
Fall 2000
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