Chapter 791 - 359: First Night at Sea, Navigating the Lone Planet (Part 2)

Chapter 791: Chapter 359: First Night at Sea, Navigating the Lone Planet (Part 2)

She paused, a hint of reminiscence in her eyes, "In the past, when Dad and I went out to sea, dinner was usually some simple sandwiches or heating up canned food. We rarely sat down like this, around a pot, sharing food."

"Yeah," Mike took a sip of beer, also becoming a bit nostalgic, "At sea, efficiency and safety always come first."

"We got used to simple food, a simple life. I didn’t expect..."

He glanced at Lin Yu’an, "to have such an experience like this. It doesn’t feel like work; it’s more like a family trip."

"Family trip," the words made Riven pause for a moment. She subconsciously glanced at Lin Yu’an, and her expression became a bit complex.

Lin Yu’an sensed the subtle change in atmosphere, used the communal chopsticks to pick up a piece of tofu and put it into Riven’s bowl, and with a smile, changed the subject.

"Then eat more, a long voyage requires a lot of calories, and didn’t we agree? This journey isn’t just about getting to our destination but also about experiencing it."

He looked toward the pitch-black sea in the distance, "When we anchor in the Exuma Islands, surrounded by jelly-like turquoise waters, we can try a seafood hotpot. It will taste better with fish we caught ourselves."

"Seafood hotpot!" The suggestion instantly rekindled Riven’s excitement, and she could even start imagining such a scene.

At that moment, all identities, secrets, and complex emotions seemed to melt away with the steaming hotpot.

They were no longer captain and crew, no longer coach and student, just three companions sharing food on the vast sea.

The clumsy chopsticks, the swirling food, and the light-hearted banter injected an incredibly warm coziness into this hardcore voyage.

After dinner, Mike proactively took over the cleaning duties, while Lin Yu’an and Riven stood at the stern, watching as the last glimmer of light on the horizon was consumed by darkness.

The night deepened, the stars in the sky becoming unprecedentedly clear and brilliant, the Milky Way like a magnificent diamond belt across the sky.

"Alright, it’s time to arrange the night watch," Lin Yu’an broke the silence.

"According to the plan, the three of us will take turns, each shift lasting three hours. I’ll take the first shift, from nine to midnight. Riven, you’re on the second shift, from midnight to three in the morning."

"Captain Mike, you’re in charge of the crucial dawn shift, from three to six."

This was a very professional arrangement, as the time before dawn usually tends to be foggy, with the worst visibility, and when sailors are most fatigued, it’s safest for Mike, who’s experienced, to take the helm.

"No problem." Both of them had no objections.

When Mike finished cleaning up the kitchen and also came to the deck, he wiped his hands and asked Lin Yu’an, "Captain, about the first stop in Nassau, what’s the specific plan upon arrival?"

Lin Yu’an nodded; this was a question he’d rehearsed in his mind countless times.

He brought up the sailing plan on his iPad, pointing to the port marked as "Stop 1."

"We’re expected to arrive at Nassau Port at dawn the day after tomorrow. The first thing is to hoist the quarantine flag, report to the harbor control center via VHF radio, and handle immigration and customs procedures." His mind was clear, methodical.

"I’ve already reserved a berth at the Nassau Yacht Club. After docking, I plan for us to rest there for 48 hours."

"48 hours?" Riven’s eyes instantly lit up, and she leaned over, her shoulder-length hair lightly brushing against Lin Yu’an’s arm in the sea breeze.

"Doesn’t that mean we have an entire day to ourselves?"

"Yes," Lin Yu’an looked at her, a hint of a smile on his lips.

"We need to replenish some fresh fruits, check the condition of the boat, and most importantly, allow the crew to get ample rest in preparation for entering the more remote parts of the Exuma Islands."

"A whole day..." Riven’s tone was filled with uncontrollable excitement as she looked at Lin Yu’an, her blue eyes sparkling under the starlight.

"Captain, do you remember that challenge at the diving shop? Your crash course in scuba diving?"

"Of course," Lin Yu’an met her gaze, "I was just about to ask my coach if Nassau is a suitable place for lessons."

"Suitable? It’s perfect!" Riven immediately switched back to her confident coach mode, eagerly explaining.

"The waters around Nassau are famously clear, with many calm areas surrounded by coral reefs, perfect for practicing open water skills."

She emphasized, "Most importantly, it has some of the world’s best diving services! Like the top-notch diving center at ’Stuart Bay.’

"It’s incredibly convenient to rent tanks of all sizes there, so we won’t need to bring our own, saving us a lot of hassle."

She became more and more excited as she spoke, starting to plan the lesson content in her mind: "We can complete all the basic skill training in the calm bay near the boat in the morning."

"In the afternoon, I can take you to explore a shipwreck! There’s a shallow wreck called Mahoney, perfect for beginners to explore, and it’s sure to be an eye-opener for you!"

Lin Yu’an watched her eager expression, ready to showcase her "home turf" advantage, and couldn’t help but smile inwardly.

"This was exactly the outcome he desired, ensuring that the journey wasn’t just monotonous travel but was filled with the joy of exploration and learning."