We are back in the coral caverns. Friday, April 29th, 2005

Mar remained onboard the Ranger this morning, cleaning the case that protects her video camera while under water. When we came back to our home base operations in Green Turtle Cay after our daily dives, we found her patiently examining each of the case parts: screws, pressure joints, bolts, handles, 32 sealed tight devices…fortunately, when … Read more

Sharks on sight. Thursday, April 28th, 2005

Let’s get back to the ship!-Ricardo calls out.  In the fraction of a second my brain processed the authentic meaning of those words: “Danger, sharks”! My companion points down with his fingers, ten or twelve meters to the left. Right where the reef ends and a deep underwater ravine of sandy floor begin, I see … Read more

You will like the gorgonians I have filmed. Wednesday, April 27th, 2005

We are in hurricane area and the residents of Green Turtle Cay are still getting over the devastation left by the last one. The first officer onboard, Carlos Pérez says he has seen many moorings torn apart in Marsh Harbour. He went there with David and Indi, to purchase oil and motor parts. They took … Read more

Observing, on land and sea. Tuesday, April 26th, 2005

Yesterday we ended the day with excellent news: We can fix the motor in this place. Fortunately, David found out that, by mistake, the Fort Lauderdale mechanics connected the hose that runs underneath the flotation line to the motor, causing it to be flooded”, comments Carlos Pérez. We breathe a sigh of relief, or else, … Read more

Brendal, our man in the Bahamas. Monday, April 25th 2005

The Oceana Ranger will be anchored for the next five days off the island of Abaco, in a place called Green Turtle Cay. Early in the morning we meet with Brendal, a Bahamian who has been an institution in this area for more than twenty years because he knows these waters like the palm of … Read more

Nerves of steel at Green Turtle Cay. Sunday, April 24th 2005

1:00 a.m. Although we spent the night anchored at Great Salt Cay, for security we continue the night watches. The weather forecasts continue to be good, but an intense wind has picked up. The plan for the Oceana Ranger is still to set sail again at dawn. 1:30 a.m. Someone broadcasts a radio message asking … Read more

Orders from ” Monkey Island “. Saturday, April 23rd 2005

About an hour ago we anchored off Great Salt Cay, halfway to Abaco Island, to spend the night. Nuño decides that we cannot keep sailing without light because from here it is dangerous to sail at night. The waters in this part of the Bahamas are shallow and although the Oceana Ranger, like almost all … Read more

No trace of sea turtles. Friday, April 22nd 2005

The Ranger has arrived at Bimini (in the Bahamas) ahead of schedule, at 6:15 a.m. We couldn’t anchor until the first light of dawn. The wait was justified: it was important to be able to see the sandy seafloor before letting down the anchor because in this area, Ricardo explains, there are many sea grasses, … Read more

Press conference in Miami. Thursday, April 21st 2005

8:00 a.m. The crew is ready to begin the day. We have to move the Oceana Ranger to the site where the press conference will be held, at Bayside Miamarina (right in the center of Miami, the immense Latin metropolis of the United States where if you don’t speak Castilian it almost seems strange). The … Read more

Leaving Harbour Towne Marina ( Fort Lauderdale ). Wednesday, April 20 2005

Yesterday a new sailor, José Carlos Corral, came aboard. He is also a diver, has been since he was 15. “You must have 3,000 dives logged,” Mar says to him. “Well, the truth is I haven’t counted…” José Carlos has been working as a dive master in Zanzibar for the past three months. For non-diving-experts, … Read more