From the Valenza Trip Journal

Day 17

Today the crew of Valenza enjoyed the beautiful sunshine the Caribbean is famous for. The day began in Ballast Bay with oatmeal prepared by Logan and Sarah. Everyone really woke up later, when we faced our first practice rescue scenario. Our skipper, Joe, was the missing diver and Tiffany also had to be rescued because she "panicked" and jumped overboard. Trevor, Sarah and Emma jumped in the water to save the victims and administer rescue breaths, while the rest of the crew quickly fell into place. Ellie "called for pizza", Miriam and Maggie comforted Tiffany and Logan administered oxygen. Both Tiffany and Joe lived!

After our debriefing and learning ways in which we could be more efficient, we motored over to the River Taw. Everyone enjoyed getting a chance to revisit the wreck and see new things. Logan and Maggie especially liked swimming through an open doorway and out the open ceiling. Each buddy pair also practiced using a wreck reel to prepare for wreck penetration in Statia. Shortly after surfacing, the crew enjoyed mac 'n cheese and hot dogs. The high was somewhat broken, however, when Jordan left Valenza to help transport gear from St. Lucia to St. Maarten. His crazy energy is missed.

After lunch we had a little chill time during which the majority of the group tanned and studied for the upcoming written rescue test. When the anchor was raised and the main sail was raised we sailed off to Sandy Point Town on St. Kitts. After a beautiful sail down the leeward side of St. Kitts, the crew secured the boat. Ben, Peter, Logan and Scott took care of the jib, and Ellie kept a faithful watch on the dinghy lines.

The crew decided on diving before dinner on Paradise Reef which was true to its name. Joe was enthusiastic upon sighting the spotted drums, Emma and Natalie loved swimming through the narrow corral heads, and Maggie and Sarah thought the young trunkfish was adorable. Overall, it was agreed that the dive was one of the best of the trip.

After disassembling the gear, Trevor prepared a delicious dinner of chowder and biscuits. I hope when he gets home his family gets to experience his cooking the way we have! Once everyone was stuffed, we shared a round of glums and glows and cleaned up. Afterwards, we studied and talked in the salon and one by one, everyone has drifted off to their favorite nook of the boat for a good night's sleep. We look forward to an action-packed day tomorrow.

Emma Reuss