Whales 2 Day 5

We caught a large spider crab today! We were actually in the middle of collecting eel grass that filters and deoxidifies the water. While we were measuring the lengths of the smallest and the longest blades, the roots, and the types of organisms that lives close by, we found so many interesting organisms. The water was super cold but it made us think about when it was very hot during the day.
After quickly changing out from our sandy salty swim clothes, we went straight to the Whaling Museum at New Bedford. We were excited to look at the historic whaling exhibits and brilliant scrimshaw collections. The Museum was small but it contained an ample amount of detail and interesting history of ship designs and changes on the whaling industry around the world.

 Thanks Aidan for holding the LCF first aid kit!

 Group pic with the beluga whale statue!

 Javier and Marcus playing with the harpoon cannon and Jimmy finishing his orange.

 Marcus and Izzy looking at ways of outreach to help save whales.

 Marcus and an octopus plushie on his head.

 Set of beautiful scrimshaws.

 Abe and Javier acting like fish.

Four paintings of whaling ships in the 1700s.

Whales 2 Day 4

Today we went out to a salt marsh in Salem, MA. Finding traces of the organisms that live in the habitat was very interesting because foot tracks and droppings give a lot of information of the habitat. Unfortunately, the waters seemed to be more polluted, clearly, because the water quality tests and the smell of the sulfur. Some of us got tiny paper cuts from the rocks so that was fun... 

After eating lunch spanakopita and chicken soup, we learned about ecosystem services, especially about food protection and photosynthesis. Then there was a thunderstorm so we helped secure Lady Maryland and worked on riddles indoors.

 Aiden and Abe with their sketches of the salt marsh.

 Marcus napping on a cooler on the deck of Lady Maryland.

 

 Angie and her drawing.

Abe, Izzy, Javie, and Aidan washing dishes under the rain. 

Cat Marcus 

Whales 2 Day 3

Today we went sailing! On Ardelle, a pinky schooner, we learned the theories of sailing, tested water quality, and swam in the salt marshes identifying aquatic organisms. We learned about water quality at depth and tested the pH levels, salinity, nitrate levels, dissolved oxygen, and temperature.  Today was an especially great day because we saw jumping fish (pogies), harbor seals, and a friendly sea gull.

 Marcus looking at a bunch of harbor seals poking their heads out of the water.

 Javi and Zoe learning how to set the jib

 Hauling away on the throat and peak halyards to set the fors’l (fore sail)

 Javi testing pH at the salt marsh

A huge, bright green copepod that we caught in our plankton tow!

 Izzy and Marcus holding a sea star and lobster.

Zoe measuring salinity with a refractometer, and Akasa testing for pH.

Angie and Zoe holding scallops.

Zoe and Akasa steering the helm.

Swimming in the salt marsh. 

Whales Trip 2- day 2

Today on July 4th, we started our day great with Michael’s amazing breakfast oatmeal, yogurt, and fruits. We were amazed that everything was made by scratch. Then we went out to explore Gloucester  and found a cozy green where we learned about whales and estuaries. The activities were pretty fun and we learned a lot of cool facts. The learning activities were interesting because we had random modes of communication to practice for our mini project.

 Tianai with her map.

 Lady Maryland out on land.

The highlight of the day was swimming in the waters with salty air, sun kissed skin, and finally a shower. The tide was low so we had to walk longer than expected but the crabs, hermit crabs, and horseshoe crabs. We were all feeling a little homesick but the excitement of the experiences we are having and about to have and just our interactions with the crew was alleviating- although we still don’t totally enjoy doing chores on the boat.

Whales 2 Day 1

Today we went on a whale watch. It was so cool! We saw a humpback whale and two minke whales. Then, we went to look at the boat and found that nothing is certain for sailing because it involves many things like weather etc. Food was brilliant and living on the boat seems interesting because it involves a lot of individual work and teamwork. Today we learned how to make Turk’s Head bracelets and got familiar with chores aboard the boat.
(Summarized Aiden and Abe’s journal)

Some photos from our whale watch:

Whales 1 - Days 7 & 8

On day 7 we woke up with a beautiful sunrise and enjoyed a delicious breakfast. We sailed to Gloucester and we docked to another ship there. We stayed in this town for the rest of our trip. Even if we haven’t been sailing since that happened we have been having fun in Gloucester. We first went to the Maritime Museum, where we learned more about sailing and marine animals. You can actually pick up some of the animals that were in the museum like urchins, sea stars, crabs and moon snails. After that, we went to a nearby park where we played frisbee and had a very good time. In the afternoon we went to a beach and we passed through a parade. We had an amazing day. We have been all safe and enjoying our last days on the ship.

- Otter

Monday July the 1st was a great day. In the morning we had field day and after having lunch we present our final projects to the crew. Later, we did a competition called “ The Schooner Olympics” in which we were tested for our abilities to recognize the lines, to do a knot or coil a rope. It was very fun! Before dinner we went to a nice beach for swimming. It was super refreshing and good time bonding. It is hard to believe that the trip is coming to an end. I’ll miss the entire crew but all things must come to end. This is already once of the best summers of my life.

- The Fish