The T90 Sea Base Crew has returned from their adventure in the Florida Keys. Crew members Patrick B, Stephan G, Mike H, Evan J, Jake Z, Mr. Grzelak, Mr. Hickey, and Mr. Z spent a week sailing on the ‘Rosa Del Mar’ ( 41’ Morgan Out Island Ketch Sailing Vessel) together with Captain Russell Dockery. The Rosa Del Mar was our home for a week and we slept, cooked, fished, snorkeled, laughed and relaxed on her.

Everyone on this adventure worked as a team and learned a great deal about living on the sea and dealing with what Mother Nature can throw at you. We learned that sunscreen is your best friend along with many bottles of water. And the High Adventure part can be described as how you deal with the Head on a ship (aka Bathroom)- it’s nothing like being on land.

Day One - Our journey started on April 4th at 2:30 AM with the trip to Philly airport. Our flight brought us into Florida at 9:00 AM where we met our friendly and colorful shuttle drivers who took us to Sea Base in the Keys. We arrived at Sea Base at 12:30 PM which began an afternoon of prepping for the sea adventure. We did our swim tests, checked out our snorkel gear, had snorkel instruction, loaded our gear onto the ship, went to the commissary for our food rations and ice, loaded and stored the food on the ship, received instruction on procedures, and by 6:45 PM we set sail for the deep blue seas. Before we set sail - a sail rope needed to be repaired on the vessel - and the captain needed a volunteer. Stephen volunteered and was hoisted up the 65’ mast by our crew to tie off the line – the captain said that ‘this is one time where your square knot and bowline really counts’…..I give Stephen credit because there was no way I would have done it – and he did it with a smile on his face the whole time. It was a long day but well worth it for the adventure that was ahead of us.