#971 Dolphins swimming through phosphorescence on bow watch at night
Posted by Erin on September 14, 2011
Photo Credit Phil Hart, The Green Children
Dolphins are like the golden retrievers of the ocean. They are playful and love to frolic in the bow wake as the ship sails along. Someone told me it is because the vibration tickles them, but I tend to take that observation with a grain of salt (but also think it is funny enough to pass along). Regardless, at some point while sailing, you are bound to see a pod or six of dolphins leaping alongside the ship.
When out sailing on the USCG Barque EAGLE this past March, a crew member excitedly pointed toward the water. You could see them, these glow-in-the-dark bullets with tails, rocketing and jumping through the water, leaving blue green streaks behind them. The dophins easily kept up with the ship (and then quickly outpaced us) as we hung over the rails watching the phosphoresent shenanigans happening just below the surface. A bow watch on a snowy night turned into an awesome lightshow.
Thanks Jen for the awesome idea!
Have an idea or a story you want to share? Email it to me at erin@tallshipsamerica.org and I’ll add it to the blog with props to you.
