CTY Whales & Estuaries Living Classroom July 24, 2010

Day Two: Elizabeth Islands
By Zeke Blumenfeld

Waking up at 0700 as usual, we started the day anchored across from the Isle of Cuttyhunk, MA. Soon afterwards, we all piled into the Lady Maryland's single motor boat, the Swamp Fox, to spend the day combing the beaches of the Elizabeth Islands. Two hours later, we had failed to amass much shells, but instread had found various crab carapaces, fish vertebrae, and mermaids purses. We had almost an hour left unitl the boat returned so we spent the spare time swimming in order to beat the heat. We dried quickly as we then purmeyed up the main hill of Cuttyhunk to reach its radio tower, where we enjoyed the view of the surrouding geography. We soon returned to the ship, where after sailing for sometime, dropped an otter trawl net to see if we could find any interesting organisms. We dragged up a lot of kelp and although we caught no fish, we did find some sponges and small species of starfish known as a blood star. We ended up anchoring for the night at Tarpaulin Cove, across from Martha's Vineyard where we ended for the night to the view of bioluminescent comb jellies, bobbing in the water around us.


Day Three: New Bedford, MA
By Lauren Weinstock & Tori Brown

We woke up, ate delicious cinnamon bread, and set off from Tarpalin Bay to New Bedford. On the way there we passed through Woodshore, teh marine capital of the world and took mircoscope and water samples. After examining the water, we identified the plankton with a microscope. Before docking in New Bedford, we cleaned the brass which ended in gross black hand-rags. Once docked we walked through the cobblestone streets to the Seamen's Bethel. At teh non-demonimational Bethel, we learned about the hardships of whalers lives and how they could brutally end. WHile there we also learned about Herman Melville and his book, Moby Dick. Later we went down to a dock and went rowing like true whalers. After raiding the wending machine we stumbled upon the Dollar Store. The jumbled store was quite the adventure full of icream, cold food, and cheap sunglasses. Back on the boat we celebrated crew member Sarah's birthday with a surprise card, cake, and pirates attire. We ended the day with dock watches and sound slumber.


Day Five
By Daniel Kiselev & Leah Fortson

After four nights at sea, we began to understand more of what life was like on a boat. I had a much greater appreciation for food and was sure to finsih everything I was served. Thor is an amazing cook and prepared for us oatmeal with cinnamon apples. We were all greatful to have fruit. Then we were all given blueberries, Yum!
Our first destination was to the Providence Town Center for Coastal Studies. We learned about hte importance of keeping our oceans debris free and we hypothesized ways to reduce the amount of line used in fishing. It is very common for whales to get entangled in the fishing lines that connect the bouy to the pot on the ocean floor. Some of our ideas included: natrual fiber ropes, GPS trackers on the pots, magnets that would bring the pots to the surface, and complete irradification of the fishing industry.
We ate sandwhiches for lunch, they were really good. The highlight of the day was climbing the Providence Tower; it is the tallest granite structure. We all needed the exercise.
After we stopped at a local icecream store and our ice cream melted in the warm weather (though still delicious), we went to a ship supply store. It sold everything and it was amazing!
We returned to the Lady Maryland and sailed around the area for practice (we mainly practiced jibing). We had cod soup, the perfect meal for a raining evening.
The day ended with an all-hands muster.



More Adventure to come!