Date: 7th of November 2022
Author: Sophia S.
Position: Atlantic, off the coast of Portugal
Nautical Position: 40°44.5’ N 010°52.2’ W
Etmal: 1369 NM

Today was our first whole day back at sea after wonderful three days in Vigo. Since we started school today, we now have a new watch routine. All the watches got split into two groups – A and B. This was necessary in order to have enough time for sleep, school and watch each day. Group A has watch in the morning and school in the afternoon and B has school in the morning and watch in the afternoon.

For example, I am in Mizzen A together with Ellen, Hannes, Simon and Theo, with Carlina as Watchleader. We got woken for our 00:00 – 04:00 watch by Main B, who had done yesterday’s last watch, at 23:30 and took over at about midnight. After watch, when we’d been relieved by Fore A, we all had breakfast together at four in the morning. We did this because after going to bed we didn’t want to have to interrupt our sleep, which was planned until 11:00, at 07:30 for the official breakfast. I must say it’s a bit disappointing that we can’t have any toast at that time, but I still think cereal beats having to get up halfway through your main source of sleep for the day.

I got up at 11:00 for cabin rounds and the ship’s company meeting. Then, following lunch, we started our lessons.

Back to school

Today we first had history, during which we discussed the influence of the past on the present and our everyday life. A very interesting lesson down to the question: “What makes a human?”, the discussion being sparked by the quote: “Without memory, a human isn’t human.”

After history we occupied ourselves with physics, energy to be precise. What made it especially fun was that while talking about the different forms energy comes in, we often used the Pelican of London as an example. For instance, we calculated the amount of energy with which the ship is moving by multiplying its mass with the square of its velocity, leaving us with about 793 000 Joule.

Although the title of this part of the daily report is “back to school”, so far school here is a good bit different from school at home. Most of us don’t use paper, but tablets to take notes and the work atmosphere is a lot more relaxed due to the small size and familiarity of the group. Apart from that, the movement of the ship can cause some little difficulties, too: Flying pens, skydiving pencil cases and the teacher having to hold onto a post to avoid falling over while trying to explain something to the class.

Additionally, seasick people lying on the cushioned benches and running out on deck every now and then to not throw up in the messroom and cause one of the chain reactions of which Simon (sailor) has been speaking. Then also, halfway through our physics lesson, Captain Chris came into the messroom and asked everyone to get on deck to help tack the ship. This means you turn the bow (front) of the ship through the wind and move the sails to the other side. After this, we continued our lesson as if nothing had happened.

Back to sailing?

Now, we haven’t exactly been sailing very much. However, things being as they are, we will most probably be forced to sail all the way to Tenerife, “things being as they are” meaning that the exhaust of the main engine has a leak and at full power has a chance of overheating.

To reduce this risk the revs have been reduced to only half as many, which also makes us go at only half the speed, since the wind is still coming from the bow. So, starting tomorrow, as soon as the wind comes from the right direction, we should finally be able to set sail and use it to get down south.
Greetings from Sophia and have a nice week!