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Knox students sail the Caribbean during their SEA semester.

Knox Students Navigate Research at Sea

Pictured aboard the SSV Corwith Cramer are, standing, Will Fitzgerald '17 (third from left) and James Egan '18 (sixth from left).

"For the last 15 years, the lionfish has been messing with reef ecosystems from Florida to Dominica," Egan explained. "Most places will have either a bounty or a growing market for lionfish. I'm currently trying to find out who exactly has the resources to deal with the invasion and if the general populace is benefitting from these management methods."

Tracing their voyage, the ship started at St. Croix in the U.S. Virgin Islands, then traveled down to Portsmouth in Dominica and to Samana in the Dominican Republic. They then sailed to Port Antonio in Jamaica and Santiago, Cuba, before making their way back up to Florida.

"The winds and seas were fairly unpredictable and I was surprised at how quickly we worked together as a crew to get us in safely. Living on a ship really gives you a sense of why the sea has always been seen as this mysterious, atavistic landscape."

One of his most memorable moments happened while he was on bow watch, getting ready for a shift turnover. Before he left, the tail of a huge humpback whale flopped about 50 meters from the starboard bow.

"It was really awesome to witness such a huge creature up close," he said.

Egan says that the experience has been fun, but challenging. "The program has forced me to think on my feet at random intervals. You'd be surprised at how many times I would have to leave the lab to haul away on lines. It's no cruise, but it's an experience I'm sure I won't forget."