Post 1

About Nick:
     I’m Nick Yarka, one of the 22 Webb sophomores going to sea this winter and blog co-contributor. I’m going to be working in the engine room of the MV Maersk Peary with my classmate Mara, as we travel down to McMurdo Station, Antarctica. On the voyage, I’m hoping to learn about the operation of ships, watch a bunch of movies, and avoid getting seasick. 

About Mara:
     I am a sophomore at Webbstitute, and I will also be on the Maersk Peary this winter. Some of my talents don't include: writing blogs, blogs, blogging, and dunking in basketball. I look forward to working in the engine room, seeing the world a bit, and writing a seaterm report to get to know the ship a bit better. 

What to expect (other than the unexpected):
     We are aboard Peary, a tanker operated by Maersk Line. Starting in Fremantle, Australia, we are a part of Operation Deep Freeze, a resupply voyage to McMurdo station in Antarctica. In the past, students have also traveled to South America and Europe onboard this vessel. We have already gotten word that the South America leg of this journey has been discontinued so we can expect to come back to Australia and perhaps travel to the Middle East. Also, expect us to be supper pumped about taking part in a lifeboat drill in the next week or so that includes a free fall drop from the stern.

So far on the adventure:
     Arriving in Fremantle a few days early, I had the opportunity to explore the town of Fremantle including a maritime museum, a marine engineering museum, the exterior of a submarine, take a tour around the town, and go down to the water. Meanwhile, Nick experienced the wonderful gifts of both jetlag and hotel room service. The next day, we woke up early and took a van along with three officers to a launch dock where we boarded a boat with a few supplies and headed out to the Peary. We got the chance to climb the pilot ladder up to deck, and were given berth assignments. Within a few hours of leaving Fremantle, we were at work on the main engine, a LSD. 

Opinion time:
     Australia: amazing! 10/10 would live in Australia
     Food: thumbs up
     Crew: great people and super helpful 
     The Peary: in the wise words of the ABS inspector yesterday, "wow it's very clean"

More blogging to come soon as we start work and take some day trips from the ship to Fremantle. 
Location: Fremantle WA 6160, Australia

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Post 2: Sorry for not posting a lot (at all)

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