Location: Slipway, Antuiga
Welcome to Ocean Stars blog! On this site, we will track our days, recount our memories, and share our photos of each day for family and friends at home, and for ourselves to reflect on later in life. But first, let us introduce ourselves as the crew!Gabe Cohen – Captain / PADI Diving InstructorGabe was forged in the waters of San Francisco Bay, learning to sail as a member of Sea Scouts. After high school, he joined a Sea|mester voyage on Argo, and he hasnt been able to escape the ocean since. He attended the University of Hawaii as a Geography major in the Marine Option Program and interned on research vessels for NOAA. Since graduating, he has worked on tall ships and submarines and has taught SCUBA diving in Hawaii for the past several years. Gabe holds a 200-ton Yachtmaster license, as well as a 100-ton US Coast Guard license, and is a licensed PADI instructor.
Aidan Mosley – Deckhand, PADI OWSIGrowing up near the ocean in California, Aidan has always been drawn to outdoor sports, spending much of his time backpacking in the mountains or exploring along the coast. Though he initially feared the vastness of the ocean, his experiences on the water helped him develop a deep respect for its power, allowing him to build confidence and a strong connection to the sea.With a passion for sharing the oceans beauty, Aidan now focuses on helping others overcome their fears, whether through the thrill of sailing or the calmness of diving. His goal is to inspire people to embrace the ocean, develop their skills, and build their own personal bond with the water.
Zoe Martin – Deckhand, PADI OWSI, MedPICZoe grew up in Park Ridge, Illinois, always dreaming of being near the ocean. Her love for the water grew over the years, from decorating her room with nautical themes to scuba diving with her family and joining two GoBeyond BVI trips in high school.In the summer of 2022, while pursuing degrees in Neuroscience and Spanish at Tulane University, she spent a semester with Sea|mester aboard Vela. Her experience helped her realize she wanted to combine her two biggest passions medicine and the ocean.In 2024, she became a PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor in Utila, Honduras, and earned her Medical Person in Charge (MEDPIC) certification. The following year, she graduated from Tulane.Zoe is very excited to join the Sea|mester team and cant wait to share her love for the ocean and adventure with future students!
Ignacio CienfuegosMarine Science Instructor, PADI OWSIIgnacio began his professional career in the renewable energy industry after earning a degree in economics from the Universidad Autnoma de Madrid. Raised on the Spanish North Coast, he has always had a deep connection to the marine environment, rockpooling, surfing, and free diving since a very young age. His passion for the ocean led him to pursue a career in marine sciences, and he graduated with a degree in marine and freshwater biology from Aberystwyth University. After contributing to aquatic conservation research projects in Wales and Australia, Ignacio completed a PhD in marine biology at the University of Plymouth. His thesis focused on the impacts of ocean warming on limpet protein metabolism and growth. Ignacio is particularly interested in rocky shore eco-physiology and the effects of climate change on aquatic ecosystems. Having spent several years focused on scientific research, he is now excited to transition into a teaching role with Sea|mester. In his spare time, Ignacio enjoys surfing, hiking, bikepacking, and spending time outdoors tracking animal footprints.
After months of hard work and a wonderful 20-day trip, we are very excited to welcome our final group of students for the summer! Together, we will embark on a 40-day voyage through the Caribbean islands, surfing, diving, sailing, and learning! This is such an exciting time for us all, and we are so excited that we get to have this experience together. As we get ready for bed, we laugh and make new friends, and prepare ourselves for can epic adventure that is ahead.