Transit to St. Croix: Nov 15th-Nov 20th
Nov 15, 2025:
Three days ago, we left from our pit stop in Morehead City, NC, and once again started making our way towards St. Croix. We motor sailed under the outer jib and main for the first couple of days before setting the stay’sl, fore, and mizzen as well. The weather has been nice and warm leading to lots of the crew passing their free time on deck, reading, kitting, or making turkshead bracelets. The stars over the past few nights have also been wonderful. As we were passing off the watch, our second mate showed us the Andromeda galaxy!
We’re learning new ways to get from ‘A’ to ‘B’, neurally and spacially. For this voyage, we rely almost entirely on traditional navigation. Dead reckonings and celestial fixes, mostly. Captain Flansburg patiently tutors the hands in calculating Local Apparent Noon and sighting evening stars. New vocabulary circles our heads in the aft cabin, naming angles, instruments, and celestial bodies fresh in our ears. These experiences will not be soon forgotten, even in the return to land, for once the skills have faded from neglect and disuse, the neural pathways formed this week will remain navigable for years.
Nov 16, 2025:
Took the wind opportunity with grand plans to set everything we could. We were able to fly the main gaff topsail but discovered slack spring and queen stays on the mizzen and main, so spent the rest of daylight fixing and tighening those and ran out of light to fly the raffee. With those fixed however, we are ready if the wind keeps up.
Nov 17, 2025:
The day out on the Atlantic was peaceful and exciting despite low wind. It started with some mystery flashes for B watch, which led to abundant and useful only to strengthen the imagination speculation. The day was hot, and Hailey remarked that she was excited for her first shorts AND tanktop day of the winter season. In the midafternoon we ran into some traffic, with a cargo ship hauling past at 20 knots, and a sailboat behind us that seemed to be getting closer and closer, leading to some Princess Bride references. While Ann and Cap collaborated on a delicious supper of Ribs, Ken finished up his hatch cover for the galley and another Mahi-Mahi was landed. It was all around a beautiful and fun day here aboard Deni.
Nov 18, 2025
Something’s fishy aboard Denis Sullivan, and it’s no mystery what. We’ve been catching, releasing, and filleting fish every day. Though admittedly less than hoped for, this afternoon Charlie watch caught four fish which were promptly released. We ate fish for dinner, caught days ago by the crew and fried in bites by our First Mate, Todd. -Eleanor
It’s getting tough to seperate the days at sea, and our activities blend into the backdrop of the ocean enviornment. Instances of deja vu appear like evening stars as the watches relieve each other in an endless cycle. It is not hard to imagine this life extending into the infinite horizion, punctuated with tasks as that unreachable frontier is dotted by passing ships. The cyclical nature of it all, the absurdly comforting propinquity of space to shipmates, the predictable calendar, these blend together in a lilac and auburn memory, coloring the endless expanse of the voyage with an overall peace. A peace we must upkeep, for the atmosphere here works in a delicate balance, and too much of any substance can cast us into thunder. -Leo
Despite all living together, with the three watch schedule, it can sometimes be hard to see everyone. It’s important to remember and maintain the relationships you have with those not on your watch as the days roll by, whether that be helping a different watch with their tasks or spending time on deck intead of your bunk. The Denis Sullivan is a community and all communities take effort to maintain so even if it seems small, being there for your shipmates really does make a big difference. -Limb’rin
Nov 20, 2025
Denis Sullivan continues on her journey to the US Virgin Islands. She ends the day with less than 100 nautical miles from her waypoint and from there it’s only 80 NM to our dockage. If all goes well for the next 24 hours the crew will be on land late tomorrow evening. Our long transit is in her final leg and what a transit it’s been.
