Location: Atlantic Ocean
Vela continued its journey north today, holding 10 degrees on the compass, with great sustained winds of 16 to 25 knots and numerous squalls to keep things interesting! The morning started with an amazing sunrise and lots of energy on Watch Team 3. Joey won the bet as to who could estimate the time of sunrise the most accurately between the watch team. Later in the morning, Watch Team 1 was able to raise the Flying Jib, meaning that Vela was cruising with five of her six sails for most of the day. Students enjoyed a delicious pasta lunch with vegetables and their respective tasks before heading below deck for their Oceanography and Leadership courses in the afternoon. The Oceanography discussion with Professor Michelle centered on tectonic plates and discussion of the continental shelves. Students discussed specific examples of these natural occurrences worldwide and where we might encounter these on our journey to the Azores and the Mediterranean. In Leadership, with Instructors Dan and Emma, students discussed the relational leadership model.
Later on, watch shipmates Nate and Joey were able to share with their team their lessons from the Leadership class, including the value that the individual efforts and tasks add to the entire functioning team on Vela. The Flying Jib was brought back in later in the day as the crew prepared for a delicious dinner and sunset. The post-dinner squeeze was interrupted due to an incoming squall, adding a different flavor to the nightly agenda. The crew hustled to close the hatches and wrap up the dish duty before the rains came. With the adventurous weather, the crew was forced to postpone the evening squeeze until the next day, a rare event. The night watches were filled with excitement. Watch team 3 encounter four squalls throughout the night. In these instances, the shipmates donned their foul-weather gear and readied themselves at the relevant sheets and halyards, preparing to make the sail adjustments as a blast of increased wind would be anticipated. After the high winds and rain, the winds would often die off, leaving us with lower speed and awaiting the return of a consistent breeze. The teams also enjoyed amazing views of the stars, constellations, satellites, shooting stars, and the Milky Way. It was another great day on Vela as we steadily made progress away from the Caribbean and towards the Azores!