Past Voyages

Article 1

Wednesday 18 December 2013

Position: 17° 30.8’N x 149 51.1’W
Location: Opunohu Bay, Moorea
Course: Anchored
Winds: Light and Variable

Landfall in Moorea! As I write this blog we are anchored in Opunohu Bay on Moorea - our final
anchorage of the journey before heading on to Pape’ete. Final drafts of research papers are due in
just a few hours and students are diligently putting on the finishing touches. In terms of
locations to be writing a final paper, as we say on the ship: “This doesn’t suck.”

After some light winds and motor-sailing last night, the day dawned with Tahiti and Moorea on
the horizon. It’s been more than 4000 miles sailed since leaving San Diego a month and a half
ago! Hands are calloused, once foreign terms roll of the tongue - “hands to strike the Tops’l” -
“Clew In” - “That’s well, make fast. Idle hands coil down.” Not to mention dozens of science
deployments all leading to these final papers. The wind picked up for our last sea watches today,
we secured the main engine and set sail for a leisurely sail on the final miles into our anchorage.

By 1600 all hands gathered for our final approach. Sails were struck in record time (all the
squares in about four minutes), and we came in through the narrow channel in the reef. I was
lucky enough to have the duty of aloft lookout with First Assistant Scientist Chrissy. High above
deck on the Top Yard (don’t worry Mom, I was clipped in of course) we looked for hazards in
the water and identified navigational aids to guide Captain Pamela. The hook was down soon
after and what better way to celebrate our arrival than with a sierra charlie (swim call!). The
water now tops 85 degrees Fahrenheit and we enjoyed the dip with epic games of water polo and
‘water soccer’ as well as some feats of strength climbing up the bobstay to the bowsprit - Willie,
Mikasa, Elina, Kalina, Rob, and Julia impressed us all!
Tomorrow, with papers done, we’ll turn to the needs of the ship and make her sparkle for our
arrival in Pape’ete. Love to everyone back home - especially Laura on her birthday - hope
you’re enjoying some relaxing at home with plenty of Christmas cookies and late night movies.

Cheers,
Andrew Pape
Deckhand

Article 2

Friday 20 December 2013

Position: 17° 32.4’S 149° 34.2’W
Location: Dockside in Papeete Harbor, Tahiti

Caption: Our final gathering on the bowsprit

We docked in Papeete early this morning, gathered on the Quarterdeck to say our farewells, and
took pictures of the entire crew on the bowsprit (see photo). Several family members were on the
dock to welcome us, and the students have now moved off the ship and headed on to what lies
next. A large contingent of them went diving this morning, and apparently had the treat of seeing
a tiger shark up close (they briefly returned to the ship this evening to excitedly share their
underwater photographs of the event)! Several are flying home soon, to be reunited with their
families for the holidays, and to get back to school in time for winter term. Others will spend
more time enjoying beautiful French Polynesia before heading home.

Regardless of when each student gets home, they will all return with abundant tales-and many
photographs and videos-of our cruise. Their response to the “What was it like?” question will
probably first seem to be a stream-of-consciousness response of seemingly garbled impressions.
It’s been a busy seven weeks. We have sailed over 4000 nautical miles and collected an
extensive set of oceanographic data both while we were underway as well as at 63 discrete
scientific stations. The students have worked hard on their science projects and on deck, enjoyed
the company of a fantastic group of shipmates, crossed the Equator, visited exotic places they’ve
never been before, and sailed on an epic sea voyage. Everyone has been challenged at some point
in the cruise, either physically or mentally, or both. There has been much laughter and a few
tears, but all have persevered, and found strength within themselves that they didn’t know they
had before. Listen carefully to their stories, enjoy their photographs, and ask questions about
what they have learned and what they have experienced. They have much to tell.

Farewells to shipmates are always difficult, and we found this morning’s to be particularly so.
We expect great things of this group of talented students as they go on with their lives, and we
look forward to hearing of their successes in their many future endeavors. It has been a true joy
to sail with each and every one of them!

Fair winds and following seas, and happy holidays!

Audrey Meyer (Chief Scientist)
Pamela Coughlin (Captain)