First Weeks in St. Croix

Dec 9, 2025:

It’s another clear sunny day in the Caribbean on the island of St. Croix. The crew of Denis Sullivan are laying into an afternoon of maintenance after a morning educational program with Coral Reef Academy; The Captain is diving to rig our mooring pennant so we can observe the annual Christmas Boat Parade from our comfortable little position in the harbor; The Cook is provisioning, and we all dream of the popsicles she will stock up for us.

That’s today, but what have we been up to since we arrived in November?

Upon arrival, we experienced another crew turnover, saying goodbye to our transit mates and engineer. It was a sad parting, I can assure you. Later in the week, we spent time participating in Christiansted traditions; we volunteered at a local church, serving Thanksgiving meals to people in need, and attended a festival known here as Jump-Up, featuring traditional Moko Jumbie performers.

Days off are relaxing. There is ample opportunity to evade the sun and bathe in the ocean, or enjoy the daily late-afternoon rainfall. We drove to Fredericksted pier to go snorkeling, and identified cuttlefish, four-eyed butterflyfish, parrotfish, soldierfish, a porcupine fish, and many other native reef creatures. Across the dock live our friends aboard the Corwith Cramer, and we spend the evenings together. There is a dance party on the dock planned for next week!

The World Ocean School office set up a tour of the island, and we became familiar with the history, estates, and culture of the USVIs. Johnny Cakes, Roti, Doubles, traditional fabrics, dialects, and sayings which we’d never encountered before, are now three weeks more comfortable to our ears.

I am going home next week, where there are fourteen inches of snow on the ground. What will I carry with me? The Caribbean sun, the smiles of new young sailors, and the comfort that Denis Sullivan will be delivering programming in these waters throughout all of the winter months. I have a feeling I’ll be back sooner rather than later.

~ Leo Madson (he/him)

Deckhand Educator / Program Coordinator