 |
 |
0700 hours
Ship's Position: Docked at Peckham Materials in Athens, NY.
Latitude: 42˚ 16.2' N
Longitude: 073˚ 48.1' W
Day Three of the video shoot.
We once again rise bright and early, starting our day with breakfast and a captain's briefing to cover the plan for the day.
|
1130 hours
The video crew spends the morning setting up equipment for today's shooting. In the meantime, the students continue updating the Deck Log. On the orlop deck, Mr. Boudreau and Mr. Boyle are working on a similar project, collecting regular meteorological and transmitting them to NOAA (National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Administration).
|
Matt B. pauses while setting up lunch to bask in past glories. This canvas bucket is his handiwork; he made it last September during his Voyage of Discovery.
|
Abovedecks, the day's shooting has begun. Abby, Alanna, Jason, and Matt G. are once again in front of the camera as we complete the shot count for this segment. Jason climbs into position in the rig for the shot.
|
Meanwhile, Mr. Woodworth is making final adjustments to the camera and lighting rig down below. Alex is today's production assistant in charge of the clapboard.
|
Mr. Cardoza's sound both has also relocated from the great cabin to the foc's'le.
|
1200 hours
This is the opening shot of the video pilot; Mr. Woodworth's camera is capturing a similar image. By now, Matt G. and Jason have completed their takes. Alanna is on set, with Abby waiting offscreen in the main top.
|
Due to sound issues, we relocate lunch from the orlop deck to the main hatch. The sandwiches and pasta go quickly.
|
The off-screen students have demonstrated remarkable patience, but the reality of a video shoot is that sitting quietly out of sight for long stretches does wear on the nerves. We need to do some location scouting for a shot to be taped later in the segment, so it's time for some shore leave!
|
1400 hours
We take groups of students out into the nearby wetlands. We actually have three purposes here -- one is, as mentioned, finding a good location for taping, and another is collecting samples for later analysis. Our third, hidden purpose, however, is just to make sure everyone gets to splash around, stretch their legs, and have some fun.
|
Mouse over for the dramatic close up!
 |
The first expedition consists of Matt B., Nick, and Raynika. We explore a small tidal island at the northern end of Athens Channel. The surrounding wetlands are filled with water chestnuts, and Nick quickly finds a molted crab carapace, which we take back to the ship.
|
We also find several dragonfly nymphs (larvae) sunning themselves on nearby logs. We take a few back to the ship as well...
|
...but as it turns out, they won't be staying on board for long! Just a few hours after we collect it, one of the nymphs metamorphosizes before our very eyes -- an adult dragonfly pushes its way out of its larval carapace...
|
...and takes a tour of the ship before flying off.
|
1500 hours
Our next expedition consists of Alex, Evi, Nora, and Mr. Linehan, who's come along to examine core samples of various types of riverbank soil. We return to the same tidal island as before. As the tide keeps going out, we can comfortably wade farther and farther into the river.
|
The student explorers exhibit varying degrees of affection for the feel of gooey river clay.
|
1600 hours
The final expedition of the day consists of Alanna, Deniro, Matt G., and Vincent. We start by exploring the wetlands on the near side of Middle Ground Flats, right across Athens Channel from the Half Moon...
|
...then continue our explorations starting at the tidal flats at the northern end of the island.
|
While poking around, Deniro turns over a log in the mud and discovers a huge colony of these tiny, crayfish-like creatures. After a night at anchor in Athens Channel, we often discover these crustaceans scrambling off anchor rode as we weigh anchor come morning.
We've already filled up our sample jars on this expedition, so we leave the creatures to their work.
|
Mouse over for stunt work!
 |
We walk around to the far side of the island and burn off a little more steam before heading back to the ship.
|
1700 hours
Upon our approach, we're waved off from the ship. They're taping on deck, so we can't return until they have the shot in the can. That means we have time for one more destination: Murderers Creek, which feeds into the channel just north of the ship. The students get their fill of the dense mud before we get the call to return.
|
1800 hours
Meanwhile, the video shoot has continued on board all day. After a dinner break, they continue shooting right up until sunset, completing the segment.
|
2000 hours
Bosun Laufer dispatches teams to furl the sails, helping Mr. Weisse finish off the main course.
|
2015 hours
You may be wondering why Abby, Jack, Jason, and Tahari didn't go out on a Zodiak expedition today. They had the option, but didn't want to miss out on the deck wash! They vote for a new plan: get hosed down today, go exploring tomorrow.
After dark, the weather cools down comfortably, and deck watch maintains the height of tide readings through another night.
|
These video logs are prepared entirely by the student crew. Today's videographer is Abby.
|
|
|
|
|