Day 13 YEP in Borneo

However, sharing the space with the nine Young Explorers are several crew members needed to sail such a ship (skipper, engineer and sailors), as well as the Mike Horn team, which includes several logistics managers, a doctor, dive master, videographer, photographer and journalist. But while space is at a premium, everyone’s considerate about keeping general spaces tidy – although it gets pretty crowded in the galley at mealtimes!

The Young Explorers have bonded into a tight unit, and they’re amazingly caring of each other. They’re working hard – they’re busy with activities (such as reef dives, beach clean-ups and sailing duties) almost non-stop, plus there are journals to write, video clips to edit and lessons to learn from Mike, Christian, the onboard dive master, and Dr Roswitha Stolz, a physical geographer from the University of Munich. They’ve all perfected Mike’s concept of ‘stealing sleep’ – grabbing a quick nap on a sail bag or in the main saloon area! But they’re definitely remarkable youngsters – each one is extremely aware of the opportunity they’ve been given, and they’re making the most of every minute. So how are they getting on with the expedition? “We are in love with each other!” said Eugénie of France.

Michelle Nay, 19, Switzerland
‘We’re doing very well together. Yesterday we had a tough swim, and we had to look after each other in the waves.’

Dongkyun Seo, 20, South Korea
‘I’m getting to know the names of things on the boat. Night watch was interesting, to see the navigation and the map. With responsibility, we learn to take care of our boat.’

Eugénie Guillaume, 18, France
‘When we’re diving, everyone asks each other all the time if you’re ok, do you have enough air. People don’t do that in life, sometimes they don’t even look at each other. We’re looking after each other. It’s humanity.’

Daniel Kotze, 20, South Africa
‘We’re one team – like different parts of a body, each with an important role to play. If you don’t play your part, the body doesn’t function well.’

Rodrigo Steinman, 16, Brazil
‘We’re getting quite close. We’re realising we need each other to make it work.’

Simon Havas, 16, Czech Republic
‘It’s important that we communicate and motivate each other – like when we’re on night watch, when someone might be sleepy or tired.’

Garrett Celestin, 15, United States
‘Everything we do is about team work. As a team we’re great, alone we can’t do as much.’

Daniel Vivier, 19, South Africa
‘We’ve learnt that we need to be vigilant and observe, as every dive is different and conditions change all the time. If I act foolishly or over-confidently, I could put myself and my dive buddy in danger.’

Kerstin Dörner, 18, Germany
‘Space on board isn’t a problem. We all like each other, and we talk openly if there are any conflicts.’