Helping To Save the Oysters

The Sigsbee is on her way from Horn Point where the group spent one full day and two nights. Yesterday, we spent all day at an oyster hatchery where the students learned about the struggling oyster industry. The hatchery is making an effort to revitalize the population by growing millions of oysters each year. They were given a short tour of the facility and learned about all of the different aspects that go into growing and releasing oysters. After the tour, the students made oyster bags, which are bags of shells onto which the oyster larvae set. After setting the time record for making 100 bags, they took the bags to a tank where 3.5 million oyster larvae were released and would begin to set and grow. After that, they got to see some of the other projects the oyster hatchery was taking on. They hatchery also had some Maryland diamondback terrapins, some white perch, and some sturgeon, which are an endangered species of fish. They learned more about the eating habits of the terrapins and sturgeon and learned that the sturgeon are prehistoric fish that have gone unchanged since the time of the dinosaurs. After learning about the other projects, the kids broke for lunch and came back to clean. They helped clean out some of the oyster tanks and even the oysters themselves, helping to spot out dead oysters and spraying down the live ones. It was a great introduction to the world of oyster aquaculture.

The students are really getting along well and the group is starting to mesh wonderfully. Although they struggle sometimes with getting things done in a timely fashion, they're getting used to the camping lifestyle and are building skills and knowledge related to outdoor living, marine life in the bay, and sailing. Two days ago, while underway, they learned about various knots used to tie lines down and have been learning navigation techniques just about every day. At one point, Captain Joe even stopped the boat and let one of the students attempt to pinpoint our location by spotting out various landmarks around the boat, which he successfully did. Overall, the students are learning quickly and are getting more used to the way the Sigsbee works and are able to do more and more every day without assistance. However, they patience will be tested within the next few days, as the heat will be more intense this weekend, but I have confidence that they'll handle it just fine. Until next time!

"A great age for crabbing"

That's how birthday-boy Christian described today.  The Sigsbee Port watch woke up crazy early (5am!!!) to go meet Capt Clay for a trotlining adventure.  While the crabs were not plentiful, the ones we did catch were very large and very full.  The Starboard watch did a great job of cleaning up camp while waiting for their turn with Capt Clay.  All told, we only caught about a 1/2 bushel of crabs - a sad comment on how low the crab population in in the Bay.  The students will explore this topic and others during the rest of their time at camp.  However today, they only had to concentrate on singing whenever they missed a crab.

I was lucky enough to go join this great group of students and staff last night in Rock Hall for their first night of camping.  It was a very windy, but very comfy night for sleeping in tents.  Even through they had to wake up early this morning the campers maintained a great attitude and willingness to help out.  Even without being asked they helped unload a truck of food for the Rock Hall Food Pantry this morning!  Good job guys!!!

 Birthday boy Christian singing after missing a crab on the trotline.

 Waiting to retrieve and measure the crabs once they are thrown in the boat.

Happy crabbers!!

Sadly, I had to say good-bye to the group as they set sail for their next port, but I'm sure the group will have a great week.  I'm also very sure they will have better posts for you ;)

Lisa

Summer 2012 is here!!!

After a fun night on campus at CND, 11 students headed out aboard the Skipjack Sigsbee today.  There is a slight chance of rain, but the breeze is a welcome relief to all.  Hopefully everyone will stay dry today while learning all about how to operate the Sigsbee safely!!  The students should have a post for everyone in the next few days.