The Lates Fleet! Day 6
Written by Dylan S., Captain on Stella Maris
This morning, the crew woke up to calm waters and golden sunlight at The Bight, ready for another day of exploration and hands-on learning. After breakfast, we began a boat swap to group our Sierra students together for their next marine science adventure. Once settled, the Sierra students dove into a fascinating lesson on sea turtles—covering everything from species identification to conservation efforts here in the British Virgin Islands. While we were doing that, the rest of the fleet went on a hike up to the helipad on Norman Island.
Fueled by curiosity (and a healthy dose of excitement), we headed out for a snorkeling expedition with one mission: find, catch, and tag a turtle. For the first time this summer, our Sierra team was successful! Working together, they caught a beautiful green sea turtle, recorded important data for ongoing research, tagged it, and gently released it back into the water. It was a thrilling and memorable moment for everyone on board—science in action!
Afterward, we hoisted sails and made our way to Nanny Cay, skillfully docking into a slip. The crew immediately jumped into a deep clean of the boat and, thanks to teamwork and focus, passed inspection on the very first try. Their leadership and initiative really shone today.
With the work complete, students enjoyed some well-earned free time exploring the local shops, cafés, and restaurants around Nanny Cay. They also relished the luxury of land showers and a quick phone call home to share their adventures.
We wrapped up the evening with a delicious quinoa bowl dinner enjoyed on deck under the fading sunset. Afterward, our boat meeting turned into a lively game night, filled with laughter and camaraderie, before reviewing the exciting plans for tomorrow.
It was a day of accomplishment, learning, and connection—the kind of day that makes the Lates so unforgettable.
