Didactic-scientific cruise to Hel

On 13, 14 and 26 October 2021, students of the 2nd and 3rd year of the Bachelor's studies in Historical Tourism made a didactic-scientific cruise to Hel by the University of Gdańsk ship Oceanograf (educational and research project: Reconstruction of the image of the natural and socio-historical environment in the region Bay of Gdańsk and Puck). The group's supervisors were the Deputy Director of the Institute of History of the University of Gdańsk, Dr. Aleksandra Girsztowt, Dr. Iwona Janicka, Dr. Anna Łysiak-Łątkowska, Dr. Tomasz Maćkowski and MA AgnieszkaSukiennik. Students visited the UG Marine Station and the Fisheries Museum. We would like to thank the Station Manager, Dr. Iwona Pawliczka aka Pawlik for the welcoming reception, and Mr. Mikołaj Koss for the fascinating story about the Station's activities. We would also like to thank Mr. Tadeusz Muża, the Head of the Hel Branch (Fisheries Museum) of the National Maritime Museum in Gdańsk, for the kind and hospitable reception. We would also like to express our thanks to the Captain of the Ship, Daniel Sieńko, and the organizer of the cruise on behalf of the Shipowner, M.Sc. Krzysztof Brakoniecki. I would like to express my gratitude for the help and support we have received from the Dean of the Faculty of History, UG, prof. UG, dr hab. Arkadiusz Janicki and the Director of the Institute of History, prof. UG, dr hab. Michał Kosznicki. First of all, I would like to thank our students for their preparation and commitment, and their tutors for their time and effort in organizing this event.

Coordinator of Historical Tourism teaching program,

Prof. UG, dr hab. Magdalena Nowak

Below we present the report of Dr. Iwona Janicka on the cruise of the students of the second year of Historical Tourism, together with a photo illustration made by the participants.

Report on the didactic trip - Oceanograf catamaran cruise

on October 14, 2021

Studying in the field of Historical Tourism is associated with some outdoor activities. One of the forms offered to students of the 2nd year of this program in the academic year 2021/2022 is a trip, or rather a didactic cruise, on the Oceanograf catamaran belonging to the University of Gdańsk. We set off for the cruise from Gdynia from the President's Wharf at 8 am. The ship's crew of 7 people showed us around the ship, acquainted us with the plan of the vessel, safety rules and provided the mess room, where didactic classes took place. A group of students under the supervision of Dr. Iwona Janicka and PhD student Agnieszka Sukiennik, learned about the life of sailors on caravels during their exploratory expeditions in the 15th and 16th centuries. During the cruise, it was planned to visit Seagull Łacha on the border of Z the Bay of Puck, but because at this time of the year seals cannot be found there, we went straight to Hel. We started with a visit to the Fisheries Museum located right next to the Hel port, in a former, historic Evangelical church. There we got acquainted with the history of the Baltic Sea and the Hel Peninsula as well as the traditions of fishing in the Gdańsk Bay and the Vistula Lagoon. The museum has many very interesting exhibits, especially related to the work of fishermen, such as: boats, fishing equipment, fish skeletons. In the courtyard around the church building, there are also boats, including deckless ones for coastal fishing, as well as various elements of boats and ships. We ended the tour with a view of the Bay of Puck from the observation tower. Another point of our program was a visit to the Maritime Station of the University of Gdańsk named after Prof. Krzysztof Skora. Mikołaj Koss, MA showed us around all the station's facilities. With great passion and commitment, he told us about the Station, its work, and the people under his care, and answered all questions. We saw, among others a seminar and conference hall where educational activities of the "Blue School" take place, the Porpoise House and the Seal Sanctuary. The harbour porpoise is part of the "Blue Village" and serves as a small museum, where we got acquainted with the history and problems related to the species of porpoise dying in the Baltic Sea. During the lecture, Mikołaj Koss discussed the threats that await him and the ways of protecting the species. We could also listen to the sounds that porpoises make and find out how they differ from dolphins. We were especially looking forward to seeing the seals. They are examined daily during medical training. Their efficiency, teeth, appetite and general health are checked. The seals made a great impression on us, we admired their intelligence, willingness to play and appetite. After visiting the Seal Center, we went for a walk around Hel from the Neptune Monument to the Promenade. The students were given time to eat and then we returned to the ship. The trip was summed up with a questionnaire, during which the students assessed the substantive value of the didactic program.

Dr. Iwona Janicka

Photo: Cruise participants, October 14, 2021