Location: Penguin Channel, Tobago Cays
It was a 6:45 am start for me as I prepared my speaker for the crew, ready to wake them at 7 am with the incredible sounds of Black Coffee, a South African DJ, and his song “Come with me.” Just like most mornings, many of the crew were already awake, studying, preparing coffee (that you could drink), and Captain Steve preparing breakfast. Moments before the gophers were about to hand up the breakfast for us to eat on the deck, the wind picked up, and the rain started to pour down. Still, we had a few people keen to test out their foul weather gear and eat in the rain. This required some bravery and skill as they learned they would have to catch their cereal rather than the usual spooning it in the 35 to 40-knot winds.
Once the wind and rain had calmed down, the whole crew could complete our usual after breakfast clean-up and go straight into a leadership class. This particular class was lead by Zoe on the topic of Leadership within a community which we all felt was very relevant given the current style of living onboard OceanStar. After an engaging discussion among crew members and a short break, they entered their Oceanography class with Adelaide with today’s focus on waves. All the while, Steve was working hard in the galley to prepare the pasta bake that would be our lunch.
Once lunch was finished, and we were all cleaned up, we raised both anchors in order to head to our next destination. Raising two anchors means someone has to “flake” both chains. Flaking involves neatly placing the chain as it comes back into the anchor locker (A small compartment where both anchor chains are stored) in a Jenga-like pattern, first laying the chain as close to itself back and forth in its box, then perpendicular over the top. A properly flaked chain is important as it allows it to flow out freely without issue on the next drop. This momentous task was taken, very enthusiastically, by Ben, who did a stellar job of flaking both chains. Once this was done, we had a short motor over to Tobago Cays, near the island where Captain Jack Sparrow was marooned by the crew of the Black Pearl. The afternoon was then dedicated to snorkeling with turtles. A large area around the Tobago Cays has become a dedicated Marine Park, and the marine life is spectacular because of it. There are a large number of turtles that swim in these parts and of all ages. Juveniles were even spotted by our own turtle enthusiast, Adelaide.
To end the day of not so great, grey, cloudy, windy, rainy weather, we had another meal from Captain Steve consisting of some traditional English food, Yorkshire puddings, mash potato, carrots, stuffing, and gravy. Perfect, cozy food for a perfect cozy night on Ocean Star. The question for the evening that was asked of everyone was, “what type of boat would you have, what would you name it, and what would you name the dinghy.” Answers varied from the humourous to the sentimental, but one thing was consistent, everyone wants a boat, sorry parents.
Now, the crew is spread around the vessel with some reading the adventures of Peter Pan as a group, talking with family back home, discussing the snorkeling, studying, and curling up with music or movies. So from me, it’s goodbye for now. Take it sleazy
Photos
1. Leonardo
2. Izzy, Mike, Raphael
3. Patrick finally found someone who isn’t a sponge
4. Zoe attempting to eat granola in the wind
5. Sophie and Ben having a great time
6. The “Salty Crew” cleaning dishes
7. Margeaux, Riley, and the brass minion eating breakfast
8. The bright foulies crew, aka Margeaux, Riley, and Zoe
9. Izzy and Zoe are stoked after a great snorkeling sesh
10. More happy faces fresh from snorkeling Calum, Izzy, Riley, and Sophie
11. Riley, Sophie, and Sol
12. The “Decky Crew” aka Riley, Zoe, Adelaide, Julia, and Kiara as Bosun
13. The evening clean up
14. Izzy, Zoe, and Sophie