Location: Underway to Tonga
The day for my watch team started at 12:00 am and continued until 4:00. After a tiresome watch, we returned to our bunks, newly furnished in wet foul weather gear, and passed out shipmates. Now on the third day of our 5-7 day passage, we have yet to see calm seas, with waves averaging between 10-15 ft. Most of us have overcome seasickness and nausea. However, we now have to master our sea legs as the boat is constantly rocking at angles. After a long morning of rain, which we have now been forced to get used to, our water-maker was found broken during an engine room inspection. Fearing a long four days in water conservation mode, Captain Sam ferociously spent the afternoon repairing a broken piece until successfully got it to a point where it returned to service. The rest of the afternoon was spent in class downstairs and on watch in the rain (of course). However, despite the rough seas and rain, it is hard for one to complain as we sail through the South Pacific to an island strange and unknown to most of us. And with this weather, we have also been fortunate enough to have hailing winds at an average of around 20-30 knots and a high of 40 knots today. With the mainsail, main staysail, and forward staysail all raised, we have been sailing at around 10 knots, meaning our journey may be completed shorter than expected. The weather has not been ideal. However, we see a bright horizon in our future.