Location: Underway to Nuka Hiva
LAND HO!!! Our first land sighting in the past 18 days happened mid-afternoon today. An exciting moment for everyone on Vela as we rushed to the deck after Mac called LAND HO. After a night full of squalls and rain, watch team 1 had some great nighttime sail handling to end our watch, and watch team 2 had a beautiful sunrise to start their day. There was much excitement in store for today with our knot test for seamanship and the student-led passage nominations for roles in the post-dinner. The hot topic throughout the day was “What are you running for?” which was a common whisper throughout Vela. Once marine bio was done and everyone had done their knot tests, we all settled in for some much-needed studying. Once we had all had our fill of Claire’s classic Moroccan chickpea stew, there was a quick cleanup, and everyone met in the cockpit for the nominations. Brookes, Morgan G, and I were all running for skipper, Jay and Maisy were running for chief mate, James for engineer, and Morgan C and Henry for our navigators. Once everyone had given their speeches, we all put our votes into a hat. Mac went to count and shortly after came back to the cockpit and announced the jobs and who had been voted in. Navigators are now Brookes, Morgan C., and Henry, the Engineer is James, the first mate will be Jay, and I am the skipper. Everyone is looking forward to having more responsibility on Vela, and it should be an awesome time!!