Clearwater Middle School M3 students had a "once in a lifetime experience" on "Spirit of Bermuda". Here three students describe their experiences.

Jibri Salaam

The first day on the Spirit of Bermuda was exciting. We sailed far out into the sea and tacked and gibed in rough conditions.

This made between nine and 11 guys go below to throw up, but we had to continue to do a number of activities on the boat, which is over 100 feet in length.

We had watch leaders (leaders that watch us take care of the boat during our shifts). They are named by the sails, which are called the mizzen, main, fore, and jib.

Our watch leaders were Colin, Ruth, Captain, Boa, Caitlin and Adrian. They were awesome leaders. We took many different classes and activities. Those activities included learning how to tie the figure-eight knot and how to put the sails up.

We also learned how to get around in the boat. We had to walk backwards down the stairs and we also needed to use the harness for safety.

For some of the lessons we went to the engine room, for others, the helm, the navigation station and the kitchen, which is called the "galley". In the engine room we learned which engines were which.

Some other interesting things we saw were flying fish and lobster pots when we went out of the reefs. We also got to surf big waves. The challenges on the voyage were tough but very rewarding in the end. These challenges made us work as a team and appreciate our teammates because you can't do all of the work yourself.

Some of the challenges we faced were hauling up the sails in rough seas; we had to try to keep our balance while hauling the line.

Another challenge we faced was getting cold water on us at times when we were already really cold. Also just walking while the seas are rough is a challenge because it is not just a little rock, it is almost as if the boat goes vertically and sways from side to side.

Teamwork is an essential part of the course because without teamwork your team will fall right apart and you will have a lot of problems with your team and this will cause problems for the others on the boat.

On the Spirit of Bermuda we had a lot of special opportunities. One morning we went snorkelling on the reefs of Nonsuch Island.

We saw parrot fish the size of me! We also saw the wreck of a ship, which I don't know the name of. The whole crew also got to work the helm (steering wheel). The helm isn't the simplest thing to work either.

This trip was very rewarding. On this boat you cannot be lazy because you can affect the crew and all of the boat.

A consequence of being lazy was going on extra watches which ran from 8 to 9.45 then 9.45 to 11.15 after that 11.15 to 1, 1 to 3.45, 3.45 to 5.15 and then the first watch got up again and did the last 45 minutes. Those were our night watches.

The Spirit of Bermuda was a once in a lifetime voyage!

Copeland Smith

Looking back at my sailing trip on the Spirit of Bermuda, I realise that I met so many new people.

To come out on the Spirit of Bermuda you must have good sportsmanship and be able to work with people you might not get along with. This boat requires teamwork, and a lot of it.

One day my team and all the others were putting up their sails and my team's sail was at the bow (front).

It took a lot of our strength and patience to get the sails up and down. Each person in my group had his own job. My job was to hoist the sail and be the bow man.

I think the bow man was easier than having to hoist the sail. When I was on the bow I had to untie the ropes to let out the front of the sail and I was scared because the boat was moving fast and my foot missed the net and I almost fell overboard.

To accomplish hoisting the sail you must work hard, but at the same time you must work together as a team and you must cooperate because there is no "I" in team.

I felt that I was doing most of the work because a lot of people in my group were seasick, and I was doing other people's jobs as well as mine. I also think that I had very productive days and I think I could live out there for the rest of my life. I think that I tried to contribute as much as possible and work hard as an individual, and if my watch leader didn't think so, I would always try harder.

I had an amazing time on the Spirit of Bermuda and I wouldn't trade my time away for anything.

Caroline Araujo

On October 6, 2008 10 other girls from Clearwater Middle School and I went on the Spirit of Bermuda. The week on the Spirit was an experience that I will never forget.

There were many things we did that week that I really liked. We worked as a team; we learned how to steer the boat, and we learned so many parts of the boat.

The things I didn't like were missing home, getting seasick, going over the big waves and waking up to do my "night watch" at crazy times all night long. These things were challenging.

There were things that were really fun, including snorkelling around Nonsuch Island. We also got to go around the island learning about the skink and other things about the time when Bermuda was first settled.

At the end of our days we always got together at the back of the boat to share our low-tide (what we didn't like about the day) and we talked about our high-tide (what we did like about our day).

I liked hearing everyone share their thoughts and ideas.

All of a sudden, it was Friday October 10th, and we said goodbye to the sloop and went home.

I will never forget my time on the Spirit of Bermuda.