The wait is finally over. The new Ocean College voyage aboard Florette is officially underway!

Before slipping our lines from the dock, the last few days were completely dedicated to intensive preparations, safety drills, and briefings. From abandon-ship procedures and fire drills to mastering harness protocol, rigging safety, and watch routines, the new student crew tackled their initial training with focused energy.

When the time came to set sail, the Mediterranean gave us an authentic welcome: Force 6 winds and building seas. It was a baptism of fire for the voyage’s opening miles, but the crew rose to the occasion. Seasickness struck a few, as is always expected when first leaving the harbor behind, but everyone has found their sea legs quickly and settled in remarkably well. The deck dynamic has already shifted from cautious newcomers to an active, working ship's company.

Exploring the Giants: Night Ascent on Stromboli & Vulcano Today

After proving their mettle under canvas, the crew traded pitching decks for volcanic ash. We have been spending the last couple of days navigating among the Aeolian Islands, using the landscape as our first outdoor classroom.

• Stromboli by Night: We anchored off the "Lighthouse of the Mediterranean" for an unforgettable nighttime hike. Watching glowing eruptions pierce the night sky against the backdrop of the open sea gave the crew a raw look at active geology in motion.

• Trekking Vulcano: Today, we took to the trails of Vulcano, hiking up to the crater rim amid steaming fumaroles and sulfur fields before heading back to the ship.

The energy on board is high, watches are rotating smoothly, and the routines between galley duty, ship maintenance, and academic prep are locking into place.

Next up, we set our sights west toward the open waters of the Mediterranean.

Fair winds,
Captain Ron & the Crew of SV Florette