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Location: |
Somewhere in the sky |
Leader
of the day: |
n/a |
Activities: |
Wake up, put your toothbrush in your bag, and head out to begin the journey! Students and staff arrive in the beautiful British Virgin Islands... |
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June 19 - Day 2 |
Location: |
Great Harbor, Peter Island |
Leader
of the day: |
Dan |
Activities: |
Ocean Star started with an early morning jump in the Caribbean Sea, followed by a program briefing where students and staff collaborated to discuss agreements and goals for the voyage. Soon we were back on the dock, making final preparations to depart for our journey. After taking fuel and running a few last minute errands, the docklines were cast off and Ocean Star motored into the Sir Francis Drake channel, underway to Peter Island. After a short motor we picked up a mooring, showered in the sea, ate a fine meal, and began our introductions to the boat that would be the student's home for the next 20 days. The day was a busy but was a welcome and wonderful start to an adventure in the making. |
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June 20 - Day 3 |
Location: |
Savannah Bay, Virgin Gorda, BVIs |
Leader
of the day: |
Wesley |
Activities: |
We began the by leaving Peter's Bay just prior to breakfast. After hearing tales of the previous nights argument between a couple on a nearby boat, involving the loss of a number of items overboard, we motored to Savannah Bay. While underway, the new divers went over their PADI Knowledge Reviews with Casey. After anchoring in Savannah Bay, finishing lunch and completing the diving classes, the new divers set out for their first dive training. This went well, and following this the certified divers were able to complete their checkout dives with Dan. We refilled the tanks and organized the dive equipment until dinner, after which we had lessons on First AID/CPR. |
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June 21 - Day 4 |
Location: |
Spanish Town, Virgin Gorda, BVIs |
Leader
of the day: |
Andrew |
Activities: |
After our first night of anchor watch we awoke to the delightful sounds of Ocean Star's fire alarm around quarter to seven. The fire drill was followed by a breakfast of the finest cereal. The new divers went in the water for their second time while the veteran divers put on Ocean Star's sails. Before we picked up anchor from Savannah Bay we experienced our first day squall, its wind blew the rain into our faces at speeds of 40-60 knots. The sun reappeared after a few minutes and then we were off. Outside of Savannah Bay we raised our sails for our first time. We learned tacking and how to rescue someone if they fell overboard. When we arrived to Spanish Town, Dan took the dinghy into customs while Beaker explained the abandon ship drill. The sun is now setting as our crew anxiously awaits our first long voyage tomorrow morning. |
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June 22
- Day 5 |
Location: |
Underway |
Leader
of the day: |
Christina |
Activities: |
We started the day off by going to Spanish Town. While there, some of us had lunch and others stocked up on snacks. Then we motored to Coral Gardens, where the dive class experienced their first open water dive! After getting Ocean Star ready, we set sail for Nevis, an anticipated 30 hours of rough seas. As of now (about 6 hours into the voyage) no one has gotten seasick, but who knows what the next few hours will bring. Eating dinner with huge waves throwing us around was an exciting adventure so stay tuned to hear how the rest of the voyage plays out. |
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June 23 - Day 6 |
Location: |
Nevis |
Leader
of the day: |
Dorey |
Activities: |
The final esophageal blows signaled our arrival to the much anticipated Nevis after 28 hours of sailing. Despite being sleep deprived, caked in salt and sun burned the idea of going ashore brought a high moral to all the shipmates. It felt like a huge accomplishment to get through the passage with little to no trouble. The crew finally became a family and the mood it set for the rest of the trip. To top off a great day we celebrated Julianne's birthday with some wonderful chocolate cake. Nevis is going to be awesome. |
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June 24 - Day 7 |
Location: |
Charleston, Nevis |
Leader
of the day: |
Beaker |
Activities: |
After breakfast we began our first Boat Appreciation (or "BA"), we worked hard on Ocean Star repaying her for our fun and safe passage to Nevis. We went ashore at 10am and met up with our friend Barry, who drove us all up to Golden Rock Resort, where we began our rainforest hike. It truly was a "rain" forest, the skies opened 5 minutes after we set off and didn't really stop all morning. The sound of the rain in the trees added to the enchantment of the hike. We all made it up to the Source, a waterfall which supplies all of Nevis water. It was surprisingly dry! Back at the Golden Rock Resort we refueled on burgers and fries before riding back down to Charleston. Some people stayed ashore for a little while, whilst others came back to Ocean Star. Dan and Nate prepared chicken Caesar salad and risotto for dinner and everyone is now getting ready for their first formal class in basic seamanship (MTE), although the students already have developed a practical understanding of the boat. It was a short trip to Nevis, but we are excited about our next destination, Antigua, for which we will depart in the early hours of the morning tomorrow. |
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