Experiencing bad weather the last days aboard the Nancy did not stop many of the scientist to adjust the plan, by cutting out stations because the weather did not permit them to work one night and were behind schedule already. They were able to do a few and send more cups a few deep (4 kilometers) casts. Jessica, Tatiana and Giovanni were still trying their best to deploy the equipment despite the horrible rocking of the waves against the vessel. They still were able to deploy the mocness net. Although they were cutting out stations in the southern part of St Croix due to lack of time, still managing time to go out to stations around St. Croix. Tatiana was excited to find out more on creatures that she didn’t even know existed. The girls and Giovanni looked at live samples from the nets and saw various larval fish and zoo planktons and tiny snails all while viewing under a microscope.

 

On Saturday they got up to see their last time watching an incredible sunrise aboard the Nancy Foster! Although it seemed the last days aboard was very hard on Tuesday they had some real fun and went snorkeling in St Croix. They saw sea turtles, barracudas, trumpet fish, goat fish, butterfly fish, blue tangs, surgeon fish, and eels, not to count the many corals, sponges, anemones, and sea urchins. How wonderful that they were able to swim with all those marine creatures up close. Tatiana says it was so beautiful to swim in those beautiful waters they also rented a paddleboard which was pretty awesome as well. Enjoying some coconut water fresh out the coconuts at this snack place in the beach, as well as tacos and nachos. Yummy!

 

The day had come where they would no longer sleep on Nancy. The expeditions ended in St Croix after weeks of working 12 hour shifts and the occasional violent waters. They were now waiting to board a plane back home all getting mixed emotions, happy, sad but they all got such a great experience out of it. Jessica states, she overall learned a lot and it had a great time, it was always something she had always wanted to do. Having said that she has made a promise to herself that this won’t be the first or last research vessel she will be on. They all have met wonderful people and had a great time, playing cards with the captain and having long chats with the back deck survey tech writes Jessica. The scientist were welcoming patient and did everything they can do to teach them all they could. But now it had come to an end. We want to thank everyone aboard Nancy Foster who helped each one of us and welcomed us and treat us like family.