Be You @ BU Fall 2022 Magazine

Nothing but the B.E.S.T.

Last July, I had the opportunity to embark on a majestic 88-foot schooner docked in English Harbour, Antigua. My increasing anticipation suddenly intensified as I approached Ocean Star, which would be home for the next forty days alongside four sta ff members and thirteen other students. During our first few days aboard, we embraced our new lifestyle charac - terized by absorbing a slew of maritime jargon and completing various jobs such as preparing for passage, sail handling, and cleaning. More- over, we were introduced to the “anchor watch wheel” that decided the hour of the night during which each of us would be responsible for mon- itoring the ship; among other tasks, this duty included looking out for a dragging anchor, a cha fi ng mooring line, or an incoming squall. After a couple of day-sails, we undertook our first night-passage to the island of Saba, sailing under a dome of darkness while guided by the twinkling stars above. Following this, we sailed round-the-clock for three days and two nights, rolling into new watch teams every four hours. Our crew was split into three watch teams, each led by one sta ff member. While on watch, we helmed, trimmed the sails, and conducted “boat checks” and “bow watches.” Editor’s Note: The B.E.S.T. Project Fund is the premiere experiential learning opportunity at Bishop’s. Funded by an an- onymous Bishop’s graduate, this unique fund assists students in determining their career paths and realizing their ambitions.

The enchanting nature of these islands was equally matched by our sur- roundings in Saint Lucia. Here, we provisioned for the fourth and final time, forming an elaborate assembly line to hand down and store away ten days’ worth of food in every nook and cranny. Those destined to be chefs during our sail back to Antigua now had the ingredients necessary for cooking breakfast, lunch, and dinner in the unceasing rockiness of a healed galley. The amount of knowledge I gained during our 788 nautical miles jour- neyed at sea, both in the classroom and by experiencing life aboard, was unmatched. Regarding oceanography, I learned about numerous topics including marine adaptations, winds and currents, waves and tides, ocean circulation, coastal wetlands, and fi sheries and aquaculture, to name a few. In addition, I was able to conduct research with three other students on the e ff ect of water quality on sessile organism biodiversity rates in coral reefs. Concerning nautical science, I appreciated the practical compon-ent of this course, which involved learning about rigging, sail mechanics, very- high frequency (V.H.F.) radio operation, and traditional navigation in which only charts, Breton plotters, and dividers are employed. Throughout this voyage, I realized that a community’s resilience is ultim- ately determined by its members’ support for one another. Through the diverse obstacles we encountered as a crew, including a sail breaking, running out of fuel, and seasickness, among many others, I discovered the value of humor and lightheartedness in challenging situations. Further- more, with many moving parts involved in daily life, I learned to appreciate organization, communication, and personal responsibility. Our improve- ment as a cadet crew concerning these three attributes was striking. I am profoundly grateful to the generous donor who enabled me to par- ticipate in this unique program, which greatly assisted me when at a crossroads between two distinct career paths, either one in healthcare or the environmental sector. I hope that my project will inspire other students to apply for the B.E.S.T. Project Fund, as experiential learning is invaluable to gaining a greater understanding of oneself and the world.

At last, we reached Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, where we would fi nally have the luxury of stepping on land after seventeen days at sea. However, we had grown accustomed to life aboard; “ocean showers” and endless pumping in the head had be- come the norm. Within Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, we sailed to Be- quia and Tobago Cays, an archipel- ago where low-rising islands dot the horizon above shimmering waters.

Author: Megan Bernier Program: Bachelor of Science – Psychology Neuroscience

Megan, Sherbrooke, Quebec

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