2015 Spring 80-Day Planning Packet

Dear SM Student,

Welcome! Your Sea|mester course is now right around the corner and before you know it, you will be sitting on a plane en route to an exciting new part of the world, where a new set of experiences await you.

During your voyage you will have an amazing opportunity to sail, dive and explore a range of islands, cities and countries. When your trip is finished however, these are probably not the things that you will remember the most about your time spent with Sea|mester. What you will walk away with is the profound experience you helped create within your group aboard. It is the teamwork, leadership, work ethic and interpersonal growth experiences, along with personal relationships you develop, which will stick with you for the remainder of your life.

So we ask that you take a moment now, to re-confirm your commitment to the experience that awaits you. Sea|mester is designed to challenge students to realize that, in many ways, it is the journey that matters most, not the destination.

We are thrilled to have you sail with us!

Please Read All Enclosed Information Carefully Enclosed you will find:

1. Clothing and Equipment Lists 2. About Flights and Travel 3. About Money 4. Communications for Family & Friends 5. Communications for Students During Voyage 6. Immunizations 7. Tentative Itinerary 8. Day of Travel Procedures and Contacts 9. Immigrations and Visa Letter (Please print and bring with you when you travel)

Prepare to ship out! Pack your gear in ONLY one (1) soft collapsible, non-rolling duffel or unframed backpack, which can be folded and stored after arrival. Your scuba gear you may be packed in an additional dive gear bag, this too should be non-rolling. You’ll have some locker space but it’s no fun to share your bunk with a suitcase. You will also need a small daypack (back pack type) that can be used on day trips and hikes. Bring no more than the following items! Any extra gear may need to be stored under your mattress and that could get lumpy! There will be opportunities to wash clothes and buy replacement toiletries along the way

1. Clothing and Equipment List

Clothing List • Any underwear quantity desired (6-8 minimum recommended) • 5 pr sports socks, 1 pr thick warm socks • 1 pr Flip Flops, Teva, Reef, or Keen • 1 pr trail running or light hiking shoes with good support for shore exploration & hikes • 2-3 pr non-swim shorts (cotton/woven all-around shorts) • 5-9 swimsuits or board shorts • 2 long sleeve sun protected shirts (surfing style rash guards or synthetic, quick dry long sleeve shirts) • 2 long sleeve shirts • 1 sun hat or baseball cap (essential) • 2 dresses for girls (and/or a sarong) • 2 pr jeans or warmer pants • 1 pr sweat pants or athletic pants (to wear at night or under foul weather gear) • 7-10 “T” shirts (or tank tops) • 1 fleece (not cotton) • 1 towel plus an absorbent sports chamois • 1 warm wooly ski-type hat

Foul Weather Gear

For all our voyages it is important to have a set of waterproof foul weather gear to keep you dry while on deck. At the bare minimum you need to have a fully waterproof rain jacket along with a pair of waterproof rain pants. That being said, many of our past students found that having good technical foul weather gear from www.westmarine.com kept them perfectly dry, in all weather, while looking like a true seasoned yachtsman.

Page 2 of 11 Scuba Gear

• All students must bring their own mask, snorkel and fins (open heeled fins require booties) should they wish to scuba or snorkel. These do not have to be expensive but do need to be made for scuba diving and should be purchased from a scuba shop. Please feel free to call or email the office for additional information on this. • Wetsuit – students should bring at least an inexpensive full wetsuit (3-4 mm thick) For those who get cold easily, consider bringing a thicker wetsuit. • Waterproof watch (required for scuba diving). We recommend an inexpensive digital watch (water resistant to depth of 100m/300ft), such as a Timex Ironman, Casio G-shock or Freestyle brand. • Certified scuba divers must bring their certification cards and log books (the ones we have sent you) • Do not bring: dive knifes, dive gloves, spear guns (or any other underwater hunting equipment)

Toiletries List Please pack all of the below in zip-lock freezer bags. • 1 Mesh laundry bag • Shampoo, face wash, and deodorant *please look for eco-friendly brands to help reduce our impact on the environment we are living and sailing in. Do not bring Dr. Bronners. • Liquid body wash *again, eco-friendly brand if possible • REQUIRED Antiseptic antimicrobial skin cleanser, such as Hibiclens (1 small bottle) • #30 or higher waterproof sun cream (no oils or sprays) – we like those recommended by dermatologists • Chapstick or similar sunblock lip cream • Bug spray • 1 small bottle (or decanted travel bottle) of Woolite or other liquid detergent for hand washing laundry. • 1 bottle of Swim Ear (pharmacy, non prescription) • Any sanitary items needed • Shaving cream, razors and travel sized mirror • Any preferred pain relief medication (Advil, Tylenol, Aleve) • Band-aids (travel box of small sizes)

General Items

• 1 laptop computer (iPad will not suffice) Our vessels have standard US style 110v outlets. Please be sure to have a bag for your computer that offers protection from moisture and the occasional bump and jostle. You may consider, as an additional precaution, having a large Zip-Loc bag that your computer can sit within when it is stored inside your bag or case. • Small day pack (back pack type) that can be used on day trips and hikes • 2 pairs of good sunglasses (UV protected/polarized) • Small camera • 1 headlamp, preferably with a red light feature (not for scuba diving, simply for getting around your bunk in the dark) • Water bottle (Nalgene type), having a carabineer clip of some sort on top will help you keep track of it! • Extra batteries for any electronics you choose to bring • Extra pair of prescription glasses or contacts • Small travel alarm clock, or watch that also has an alarm

Page 3 of 11 Educational Supplies • Thumb drive, flash drive or external hard drive to help transfer class assignments and personal files (4gb or higher). • 1 spiral notebook – space for all courses (purchase notebook that has dividers with folders/pockets) • 1 pencil case including pens, highlighter, mechanical pencils, ruler, eraser and a small calculator

Academic Materials Sea|mester provides all required textbooks, lab equipment and exam materials for each student aboard. The only academic materials that students are required to bring with them are the appropriate copies of the course notes for the Introduction to Oceanography and Introduction to Marine Biology courses. These notes are written by the specific instructors who will be teaching aboard and are updated on a regular basis. Students will find these notes very helpful during lectures and will most likely find themselves highlighting information and jotting notes in the margins. The current versions required for each course are available for download at the links listed below. The PDF files available online are full color versions, STUDENTS DO NOT NEED TO PRINT THEIR PERSONAL COPIES IN COLOR. Most students choose to have these files printed double sided, in black and white, and either spiral bound or simply three-hole-punched and placed in a small three ring binder. Please contact the Sea|mester office if you are having troubles downloading or printing the necessary files.

Link to page containing course note files: http://www.seamester.com/academic-materials

Please note... • No hair dryers – ships’ power and lights are on battery. • Bed linens are provided aboard. • Salt air is hard on cameras and electronics, so protect all equipment in heavy-duty Zip-Loc freezer bags. Bring extra bags to protect your paperwork, clothes, etc. • Please label any medication with a note advising why it is administered and at what intervals. Double up all medications and store in two separate places so as to protect against any possible damage or loss. Please pack this in your carry on along with a bathing suit and other toiletries in case your bag arrives later than you! • Although the vessel does have a stereo aboard, you may bring your own MP3 or media player. Please keep in mind, electronics may be ruined in the salt air and should be brought at your own risk.

Page 4 of 11 2. About Flights and Travel

We ask that you make your travel arrangements as soon as possible as space is limited when flying into the British Virgin or US Islands at certain times of the year. Additionally, you will also need to make sure your passport is valid for 6 months AFTER the end of your voyage. If it will not be valid, please renew your passport.

The airport code for the Tortola Beef Island (Airport is EIS). It is also possible to fly into St. Thomas (airport code STT) and take the ferry to West End, Tortola. If you are flying to STT make sure you land no later then 3PM so you will have time to catch the last ferry from Charlotte Amalie to West End, Tortola. If you land after the last ferry you will have to overnight in St. Thomas.

Getting Your Flight Details to Sea|mester: Once you have booked your flights you will need to ensure all of the information is accurately recorded in the Sea|mester Participant Portal at http://www.seamester.com/portal. Your login credentials will have been emailed and if needed, you are welcome to reconfirm them by calling our office from 8:30-5:30 Monday-Friday.

If you have booked, or are planning to book your travel through our travel coordinator, Leah Hernandez of Reservation Services International (800.329.9000 or 281.528.7727), she will enter all of your details directly into the Portal and shortly after your travel is booked it’s details should appear in your portal page under the Flights tab.

Please consider the following sources for flights:

• Leah Hernandez from Reservation Services International. Leah has helped us organize our global travel for years. She can be reached on 800.329.9000 (Texas 281.528.7727) or by email at [email protected]

• STA Travel. Possibly a cheaper option if you qualify for an International Student Identification Card (ISIC). With an ISIC card, you will be quoted student rates through STA travel and this may save a lot of money. You can apply for the ISIC card (about $22) as well as get flight quotes from STA travel by calling a representative on 800.781.4040 or online at www.statravel.com

If you are arriving into the Tortola airport you will be directed to a taxi driver as you leave the customs exit of the airport. The government approved taxi rate from the airport to Soper’s Hole, West End, where the vessel will be docked, is $45 USD per person. If you are arriving with a group of other students or are travelling with our local driver you may be given a discount fare of as low as $15 USD per person. To avoid confusion, it is recommended that you agree on the fare before departing the airport. Depending on your arrival time and date it may not be possible for Sea|mester to help arrange a driver who will offer the discounted fare to you. Please be prepared to pay the government approved fare in cash. (If arriving by any other means, please contact our Florida office for special instructions)

NOTE: Detach the travel information within this Info-Pack and carry it with your travel documents. This information also includes emergency phone numbers to be used on travel days.

Page 5 of 11 3. About Money

During the voyage, you will need money for two purposes:

Emergency money: is held in reserve for any unanticipated medical event. We require a minimum of $300.00 in US bills no larger than $50 (travelers checks will not be accepted). We ask that this be placed in a sealed envelope marked with your name, to be held by the directors until departure. In the unlikely event of a medical emergency, students can have access to these funds to pay for doctor’s visits/travel to a clinic or for the costs associated with prescription medications.

Spending money (This is in addition to the emergency money mentioned above): We will be ashore at various times for both activities and free time. Sea|mester recommends that students bring (or have access to) around $750.00 for spending money during the course of the voyage. Based on our past experience, there are some who will spend less and some who will spend more. As travelling with large sums of cash can be un-nerving, we recommend that students bring an ATM or VISA enabled check card to allow them to draw out funds in local currency during the voyage. Please be advised, access to ATMs and banks is not available in some of the more remote locations Sea|mester visits. While aboard students will be urged to make sure they take advantage of access to funds when presented the opportunity. Students will be provided a secure place to lock up any spending money they do not wish to keep on their person during the voyage. Sea|mester is unable to forward any funds to students during the course of a voyage.

4. Communications Information for Family and Friends

Mail: Sea|mester regrets that there will not be any mail drops to the vessel during the program. But, just because students can’t receive mail doesn’t mean that they can’t send it!

E-Mail: Email can be retrieved and sent when students are ashore and have access to the internet. The vast majority of the islands and countries we visit have reasonable internet access so most students find that email is the best way to keep in touch with friends and family. We do not have internet facilities aboard the vessel.

Blogs and Newsletters for the Vessels: During the course of the voyage, students and staff maintain an online voyage blog that has both written and audio updates. These posts are updated as often as possible given the ship’s schedule and the availability of internet access in the ports we visit. Family and friends are encouraged to check the Sea|mester website often, or subscribe to receive notice via email for new update postings. The updates page can be foundhttp://www.seamester.com/blog or by clicking on “BLOG” on the Sea|mester home page www.seamester.com . In addition to the blogs, Sea|mester students also produce a student newsletter called the “Tell Tale”. The Tell Tale is published and posted online at various times during the voyage.

Page 6 of 11 (Continued)

Emergency Communications: For general peace of mind, parents and family should know that there are emergency use cellular and satellite phones on board our vessels. Please contact the Florida office (941- 924-6789) OR Director of Operations, Travis Yates (mobile) 941-350-0908 with any emergency communication.

Also, should parents plan to be away from home over the same time period as the voyage, please email the new emergency contact information to our office at [email protected]

5. Communications Information for Students During the Voyage

On Travel Days When students arrive at the program starting location, they are urged to call home to report their arrival using local phones or their mobile phones if possible. Parents should not expect a call from Sea|mester. An exception to this is when something out of the ordinary has happened, and in this event we will make every effort to contact parents directly.

During the Voyage Periodically, we will be in locations from which students may call home. Each country has a different communication system, so dialing procedures change at each destination.

Skype: Many students choose to use their personal computers (primarily when ashore) to stay in touch with family and friends. This has proven to be one of the most cost effective methods of communications when broadband internet is available.

Local Phone Cards: Students may purchase local phone cards at each destination. While quite expensive, this is our recommended method for ensuring a long distance connection.

Credit Card Calls: The most universal (yet most expensive) method of paying for a call is to use a credit card.

International Calling Card: We suggest contacting the major phone card providers for their information on the latest rates and access numbers (which are different for each country). In our experience, only international (non-prepaid) calling cards such as AT&T and Sprint, will work and then only with the correct access numbers.

GSM Cellular Phones: We actively encourage students to bring GSM (tri-band or quad-band) “unlocked” cellular phones aboard because they will work in many of the locations we visit. However, while aboard we do have guidelines as to when students can and cannot use their mobile communication devices. Sea|mester strives to create an environment aboard that relies very heavily on each individual remaining focused on the group and our experience. Being tied to the modern world of “instant communications” can, in certain circumstances, be a hindrance to the personal and group processes aboard. We feel that there is ample opportunity to make calls during personal time ashore.

Page 7 of 11 6. About Immunizations

We suggest checking with your physician for his/her recommendation. For the countries that you will be traveling through, the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommends the following immunizations: • Tetanus Please allow plenty of time before your trip (CDC suggests 4-6 weeks) to see your health care provider.

In order to help you and your health care provider make an informed decision concerning your immunizations, the following is a list of countries, territories and islands that we are likely to visit during your voyage.

British Virgin Islands Dutch West Indies: , St. Eustatius French West Indies: , , St. Barts St. Kitts & St. Vincent and the Grenadines St. Lucia

Page 8 of 11 7. Tentative Sea|mester Schedule For 80 Day Program

Day # Proposed Location Day # Proposed Location 1 (BVI) Fly day 41 Martinique (St Pierre area) 2 BVI 42 Martinique (St Pierre area) 3 BVI 43 Depart for Dominica 4 BVI 44 Dominica near Rosueau 5 BVI 45 Dominica near Roseau 6 BVI 46 Dominica near Roseau 7 BVI 47 Dominica near Roseau 8 BVI 48 Dominica near Roseau 9 Stock Boats for departure to Nevis 49 Depart for the Saints (Guadeloupe) 10 Arrive Nevis 50 the Saints (Guadeloupe) 11 Nevis 51 the Saints (Guadeloupe) 12 Nevis 52 the Saints (Guadeloupe) 13 Nevis 53 Move to Guadeloupe near Pigeon Island 14 Prepare and depart for Grenada 54 Guadeloupe near Pigeon Island 15 Passage to Grenada 55 Guadeloupe near Pigeon Island 16 Passage to Grenada 56 Guadeloupe move to Des Haises 17 Grenada 57 Depart for Antigua 18 Grenada 58 Antigua in English Harbour 19 Grenada 59 Antigua in English Harbour 20 Depart north to Carriacou 60 Antigua in English Harbour 21 Carriacou 61 Antigua move to Green Island 22 Depart for Union Island 62 Antigua near Green Island 23 Union Island 63 Antigua near Green Island 24 Depart for Tobago Cays 64 Antigua near Green Island 25 Tobago Cays 65 Depart for St. Barts 26 Tobago Cays 66 St. Barts in Gustavia 27 Tobago Cays 67 St. Barts in Gustavia 28 Tobago Cays 68 St. Barts in Gustavia 29 Depart for Bequia 69 St. Barts, Anse de Colombier 30 Bequia 70 Depart to Statia 31 Bequia 71 Statia 32 Depart for St. Lucia 72 Statia 33 St. Lucia (Soufrière area) 73 Depart for Saba 34 St. Lucia (Soufrière area) 74 Saba 35 St. Lucia (Soufrière area) 75 Saba 36 St. Lucia (Marigot area) 76 To BVI 37 St. Lucia (Castries area) 77 BVI 38 Depart for Martinique 78 BVI 39 Martinique (Fort de France area) 79 BVI 40 Martinique (St Pierre area) 80 BVI Departure Day

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8. Day of Travel Procedures and Contacts

Review this document now, then carry with you when you travel. There will be an additional travel update released closer to departure that will need to be carried along with this sheet.

If you miss a connection or have any travel problems, please inform us by calling one of the following numbers: Emergency numbers for travel day only United States Sea|mester Florida office - 941-924-2900 Leah Hernandez with Reservation Services International (if you booked your ticket with her) - 800.329.9000 or 281.528.7727

S/Y in Tortola Primary number- 284.544.9637 Secondary number- 941.350.8999

For Intended lodging address mark : Yacht, S/Y Ocean Star West End, Tortola For Purpose of visit mark : Vacation Visiting : circle ‘Tortola’ and ‘Virgin Gorda’ For lodging type : Private Boat

Upon arrival, you must pass through immigrations and customs. When officials ask where you will be staying you can produce the attached immigration letter and tell them you will be moving aboard the sail-training vessel S/Y Ocean Star. Tell the officer that you will be staying in the country for no longer than 2 weeks and will be departing by boat. It is very important that you make sure that the officer does not assume that you are trying to remain in the BVIs until the date of your return ticket out of the BVIs. You may also be asked about the purpose of your visit. You may tell immigrations that you will be participating in a college level educational program aboard a training vessel.

If you are arriving into the Tortola airport, our staff will make every effort to alert our local driver, who will try to meet you as you leave the customs exit of the airport. The government approved taxi rate from the airport to Soper’s Hole, West End, where the vessel will be docked, is $45 USD per person. If you are arriving with a group of other students or are travelling with our local driver you may be given a discount fare of as low as $15 USD per person. To avoid confusion, it is recommended that you agree on the fare before departing the airport. Depending on your arrival time and date it may not be possible for Sea|mester to help arrange a driver who will offer the discounted fare to you. Please be prepared to pay the government approved fare in cash. If arriving on the ferry form St. Thomas simply get a cab around the harbor to Soper’s Hole, it will be around $5.

BE SURE TO COLLECT ALL YOUR BAGS AT THE AIRPORT! IF YOUR BAGGAGE DID NOT ARRIVE, YOU MUST FILE A CLAIM IMMEDIATELY WITH THE AIRLINES BEFORE LEAVING THE AIRPORT!

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PO Box 5477 Sarasota, Florida 34277 USA Tel. 941.924.2900 Fax. 941.924.6075

Immigrations Officers

This letter is to confirm that this person is joining the sailing school ship S/Y OCEAN STAR (BVI Flagged) as a part of her student crew. S/Y OCEAN STAR is berthed in West End, Tortola and will be operating within BVI waters for no more than two weeks before departing. Thank you for you assistance and allowing free entry for this person.

Kind regards,

Travis D. Yates US Number 941.924.2900

Director of Operations, Sea|mester Programs USA

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