The last Turn - Ocean College

Ship: Johann Smidt
Datum: 01.04.2026
Position: Nord Atlantik
Nautische Position: 38°39’7N 028°35’7W
Etmal: ?

An emotional Tack of Manoever

Our day started with breakfast at 07:30 in the morning… a horrible time to wake up but it was necessary because we left Horta today which was a very emotional moment for all of us because it might be our last land stop if Cherbourg doesn’t works.

It was also not a normal take of monoever, it was lead by the takeover group, after leaving the harbour we set the sails also lead by the handover groups.

Now we think all back to the other land stops. Would this be our last? We have collect so much of experiences on land and it is not to image to miss only one of theme. But exactly this we do in 16 days, we will leave our experiences and only keep our memories.

The last weeks and how it feels

We saking op the last weeks that we have on board. So on all evenings you see people playing games in the mess like the Monopoly etc. In watch we tell us the stories of the beginning from this journey.

Now I would like to introduce you to our new Medic Julius

How did you come to OC?
By chance, because the previous colleague cancelled and Ocean College has Cristian Ottomann from the ship doctor’s exchange and I’ve been on his nerves for three years that I would like working on an Atlantic sailor and then he asked me on a Saturday and then it started on Monday.
⁠What is your medical career?
First as a school paramedic, then training as a rescue service (rescue assistant), then worked at the BRK, then started studying medicine in Slovakia, while Corona pauses for health reasons. For a while I worked as a nurse in an intensive station. Parallel to this, I started accepting orders at the ship doctor’s exchange and now I’m toying with the idea of finishing my studies.
⁠Would you recommend other medicine students to apply to Ocean College?
No, because I hope to get many more assignments myself:=)
What did you expect from the trip and what is different than you imagined?
I was very happy that for once I didn’t work with pensioners but with young adults. After that I was mainly happy to fulfill my life’s desire to sail through the Atlantic.
What is your biggest challenge for you on board?
The biggest problem is agreeing on the expectation of confidentiality, a tight space and a patient who is not of adulthood. And in general to gain the confidence that the students with their big and small problems come to me.
Do you have tips for future Medics being on Ocean College?
Bring your own on-board pharmacy.
What does your day look like as a medic ?
Every day is different and there is always something to do.
What was your first impression of the ship and the school?
My first impression of the students was that they weren’t children, but young adults.
⁠What are you looking forward to most on this tour?
I’m actually looking forward to the 6m waves and storm!
Why did you want to become a doctor?
Because I really care about working with people and because it fulfills me to be able to help other people.
What are your jobs on board?
From pastor to medicine man and much more…