Location: Gorda Sound, BVI
As the end of the semester draws ever closer, you would be a fool for thinking the activities and pace of Caribbean boat life aboard Argo were starting to dwindle down. Today marked a huge occasion for a number of shipmates, who were given the task of planning out today’s events, including moving the boat and all diving related activities and then carrying out the plan. On a personal note, it was especially pleasing to see the shipmates acting upon the culmination of 75 days of knowledge, not least as it meant an easy day for the staff! The day began with an early start, slipping our mooring in GHP and making way to Salt Island, the final resting place of the RMS Rhone (a British Royal Mail Ship, sunk during a devastating hurricane in the 1800s). The BVI’s are renowned for some of the spectacular dive sites around the islands, and this dive is commonly sited as the best of the bunch, and today was no exception. From Salt Island, we departed, eating lunch underway, to Virgin Gorda, when the infamous Baths are located. One of Nature’s truly beautiful sites, the baths, also harbors a dark history dating back to the slave trade. Nonetheless, the shipmates all enjoyed a spot of bouldering and swimming in the rock pools. I sit here now with anchors down in our final location for the night, Gorda Sound, with the feeling of a true sense of accomplishment, not only for all the shipmates and all they have achieved in the past three months but also for staff who have worked exceptionally hard to bring all the students up to a level where we feel confident sitting back and letting them “run the show.”