Written by Svenja
Around me, there is hammering, sanding, and cutting steel. Two floors down, a volunteer is preparing dinner. One floor lower, our engineers are working in the engine room. While I sit here alone on the bridge writing the next blog post, I am aware of the others. Sometimes I don’t see anyone for hours because we all work in different parts of the ship. But I know I’m not alone, and I am grateful for that—the opportunity to share and reflect on this intense time with others.
I asked all our crew members about their most beautiful, amazing, or memorable experiences on board the John Paul DeJoria so far. After speaking with everyone, two main areas stand out: life together and learning from one another. As the ship gets ready to make its crossing to Ireland, here’s a closer look:
David, Chef-Engineer: There are so many moments. What I find most fascinating is the friendly people from all over the world. Through my interactions with others here, I am learning so much about different cultures and their ways of life. The close living conditions on board create deep connections. It makes me happy to see that we stay in touch even when someone leaves the ship. Additionally, everyone contributes their personal skills. I am especially impressed by the young people who come here to volunteer. It fills me with hope and motivates me when I see their selfless nature.
Raemmon, Engineer: Good question! I had a lot of fun cleaning the bilge. It was a deeply satisfying task to see how I could remove all the oil and dirt. I am also very grateful for the opportunity to work with David. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience that he shares with us. It feels great to have so much time for learning here.
Angelina, Deckhand: I just arrived yesterday afternoon, so I haven’t even been here for 24 hours. But what has delighted me the most so far is the view. Being able to look out at the sea at any time, even when I wake up, gives me new energy and motivation.
Vivien, Deckhand: What I enjoy the most about life on the ship is the camaraderie. Spending time with people who all believe in a common cause and are dedicated to it is very fulfilling for me. We are like a family. Because of our good relationships, we have a lot of fun on board. The friendships made here last. Of course, it’s also a fantastic experience to explore the world with the ship. You know, the ship can travel around the world. And we, the crew, come from all over the world. We are fighting for the world, and that makes me really happy.
Larry, Bosun and Ship Manager: Every day seems to be different. There’s always change, and it’s good to see that convert into progress. From working on and completing projects on deck, mentoring and training volunteers and seeing them apply their new knowledge and skills, to building a team out of a bunch of young people who start out as strangers and end up making lifelong friends. The best part for me though must be the thrill of action when we are on campaign and all of the hard work and preparation pays off. When the ship is in “battle” mode and things work seamlessly, it is very gratifying.
Chelle, Deckhand: My highlight so far has been seeing the mighty JPD from underwater. Swimming the full length of the JPD made me realise how vast and robust the ship is—it was a really humbling moment. I’ve also enjoyed meeting fellow passionate eco-warriors from such diverse backgrounds, all united in the mission to protect whales and working together as a close-knit team to do whatever is required for the cause.
Thato, Bridge: I love that everyone is here because they want to be here. Everyone has given their time and energy to a cause greater than themselves. This makes for a really lovely work environment—no big egos, just all working side by side with no ulterior motives. It’s a peaceful workplace, even though the work is demanding. I like the fact that we are all from different cultures and find so much to connect on. Not just work, but mindset. There’s a lot of respect in the way we all communicate, and a lot of laughter—far more in the last two weeks than I had working six months on my last boat. And I got to learn a whole new aspect of boating. I’ve never worked in the galley, and it gives me a greater appreciation for cooks and chefs.
Carlos, 3rd Engineer: One of the things I like about my work is getting to know different parts of the world and living with very different people, always learning a little bit about them. Something I really like is when I am on board and have an established routine, which means I know what I have to do during the day.
Svenja, Deckhand: It’s hard to settle on just one thing. What I like most about my job is how much I develop myself. On my first day here, I didn’t know how to use an angle grinder, for example. Now, I can carry out my own projects with minimal assistance. I am proud to see that anyone here can achieve anything. It doesn’t matter where you come from or what you have learned; your motivation and commitment are what really count. I find it very exciting to gain insights into how a ship is built and functions. Additionally, it never gets boring. Even though I work every day on the same ship, each day presents different tasks.
In conversations with others, it quickly became clear that life and work on the John Paul DeJoria is not just a job for anyone. It is much more than that: it’s a passion, a fulfillment, an adventure, and a unique experience for each of us.
We truly enjoy our time on board and the experiences we gather together here. And now, with the ship nearly ready to make its crossing to Ireland, it’s clear this crew is more united than ever.