Location: Admiralty Bay, Bequia
The day started with a marine biology class that went over different classes and species of fish and marine invertebrates that we are going to have to identify, some of which we have already seen diving and snorkeling. I thought it was really interesting to be able to go over the classes and species of various marine organisms in order to better be able to identify them diving and snorkeling. I know that I will definitely be on the lookout for some the next time I go snorkeling, especially some of the brightly colored fish and coral, which can be spectacular, in my opinion.
Following marine biology, we prepared Ocean Star to set sail for Bequia. I got the chance to lead boat prep since I had not really had the chance to yet. It was another learning experience for me for sure; I learned how to check the engine room before sailing as well as turn the engine on. It was also a great opportunity for me to practice my leadership skills.
Raising the sails today was a pretty smooth process, especially since we were leading the sail raises. As a group, we have become so much more comfortable raising the sails and knowing which lines are which, compared to our first week on Ocean Star. It is crazy to think about how much we have learned in such a short amount of time. Once we arrived in Bequia, we gave back to Ocean Star by doing a boat appreciation and cleaning her and our two dinghies. After passages, Ocean Star can get pretty dirty and salty, so it is always nice to clean her up and show our appreciation for her.
What better to end a long day of sailing than with some chicken Alfredo; it really hit the spot. Despite it being a long and tiring day, I think we all feel pretty satisfied with how far we have come in terms of our sailing skills. But, as always, there is still so much more to learn.