14
Location: Great Harbor, Peter Island
The day began with the rising sun and shortly thereafter, the awakening of our seasoned crew. Toby, Liv, Lacey, Atlin, and I proudly earned our sailor certifications, making our session the first to successfully complete both examinations (not true-Siena). Later that morning, we dove the wreck of the RMS Rhone, which tragically sank 159 years ago in 1867, claiming the lives of 123 people. Toby and I swam through the ship’s magnificent propeller, surrounded by a shimmering school of fish, which can only be described as a moment that felt frozen in time. After the dive, Leah, Maddy, Kate, and Scarlet joined us for a hike on Salt Island, which remains largely desolate in the aftermath of Hurricane Irma. Along the miles-long trek, we encountered free-roaming goats, abandoned homes, and the riveting salt lake at the island’s center. Due to a mechanical failure, Toby and I had to paddle our dinghy manually, although we still passed Dinghy School with chills! Salt Island is filled with history ever since 1860, it was tradition for the island to send one bag of salt each Christmas to the reigning British monarch which was a practice that continued until 2021. Back aboard, Maddy and Liv expertly tied our vessel to the mooring line, while I took the helm, an elegant demonstration of our newfound nautical prowess. To conclude an unforgettable day, Leah and Maddy cooked what can only be described as the finest tortellini Glad 2 B Here has ever experienced.
Coleman Alexander W. III von Galicia