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British Virgin Islands - 2016, Session 1

Staff Update Day 1

Location: West End, Tortola

We have been waiting for this moment for almost two weeks now. The staff has been fully briefed, rigging has been checked, tanks topped off, and fresh food stored. The anticipation for twelve Vega students is almost too much to handle. 'Calypso,' a 50.5-foot Moorings monohull, is the vessel we will all call home. Jamie, Emma, and I are really looking forward to having a young, lively group of shipmates eager to learn about sailing and diving. Jamie's knowledge of the area and diving combined with Emma and my sailing expertise lead us all to believe this will be a great first session. As we do the last minute checks and final preparations for the shipmates, our excitement can be seen from afar. We are a special group of staff ready and waiting to give our shipmates a special and educational summer that leaves a lasting impression.
Here is an introduction to the crew of Calypso:
Griffin: Skipper
Born and raised in Nebraska, Griffin was not accustomed to the water until attending a camp in northern Minnesota at the age of eight. This is where he learned to sail and fell in love with the adventure and beauty of the water. The fall after graduating high school, he turned down acceptance to many universities to follow his dreams of sailing with Seamester. After completing the program, he moved to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where he earned his RYA Yachtmaster 200 ton. After spending a year in the sailing yacht industry, he moved back to Nebraska to attend the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where he could be close to his family and study for an International Business major with a minor in Spanish. Griffin is a passionate sportsman who enjoys hunting, tennis, and golf.
Jamie: EMT/Dive Instructor/Mate Jamie grew up in Fort Collins, CO, but now pursues a degree in Marine Science from Eckerd College, as well as being a part of the schools’ pre-health program. She is a member of the Eckerd College Sailing Team, as well as being a part of Eckerd College EMS team. Jamie is a dive instructor and EMT, with this being her third year working for ActionQuest. Apart from sailing, diving, and utilizing her EMT training, Jamie
enjoys hiking, snowboarding, and trying to perfect her dessert baking skills.
Emma: EMT/Divemaster/Mate
Ever since Emma first got certified as a diver in 2008, she has been trying to get to the water as often as possible. She has since become an avid diver of the Northeast and sailed over 6,000 nautical miles! While crossing the Atlantic last summer with Seamester, her favorite parts were looking at the billions of stars and the incredible bioluminescence visible in the middle of the ocean. She completed her EMT course through Boston University and sees medicine as a large part of her future. She also holds a Divemaster rating and assists with scuba classes in the Boston area. She has a wide range of hobbies and interests, including; playing the piano, eating gourmet mac n cheese, reading textbooks, fencing, hiking, and stargazing.