Climbs and Lines

Situation at 20:00- Overnight the Youth Crew completed their second climb aloft, this time to the T’Gallant and Topsail yards. They also practised some of the more commonly used knots and entered into a full value contract with their watch leaders agreeing to a standard of behaviour and participation during the voyage. Just as the sun was appearing over the horizon at 06:30 all hands were piped on deck for early morning activity. This involved a power walk around the upperdeck and some activities designed to helpthe Youth Crew learn each other’s names. At 08:00 all hands mustered aft for colours. Once the flags were hoisted and the national Anthem sung, it was time for morning brief. XO Paige started off by describing the plan of the day. This was followed by NavigatorKirsten who outlined our intended route, and gave us a thought of the day. Salty Sea Dog Lisa was next and she gave a very enlightening description of the origin of why we have ‘Dog’ watches at sea and whywe ‘Split the Dogs’. Chef Polly and Engineer Stewy then briefed the do’s and don’ts of their respective parts-of-ship. After morningbrief the watches each had their photos taken for use during the voyage and for the Ship’s scrap book. Happy hour saw the Youth Crew busily cleaning the Ship from stem to stern. XO Paige gave her seal of approval on the quality of their work. Morning tea was followed by ‘Captain Safety’. He walked the Youth Crew through the use of each piece of safety equipment onboard and explained the situations in which they would be used. Then it was time for line handling and deck safety. The watch leaders carefully explained how the various lines are correctly used when handling sail. This will form the foundation of their sail training and the watch leaders were careful to fullyexplain the different techniques involved.After lunch XO Paige gave a lecture on how to set and furl the fore-and-aft sails and then it was time to weigh anchor and getunderway. As we made our way to the East across Hervey Bay, the Youth Crew were able to put into practise what they had learned in theory.Over the next three hours they were busy setting and furling the sails and gaining an appreciation of the level of teamwork that is needed to work the Ship. When we were in the middle of Hervey Bay weconducted a Man Overboard exercise. All hands performed well and the exercise was completed in good time. The last activity of the day was tacking stations. This gave the Youth Crew a basic understanding of what is required of them when conducting this complex evolution, and if the Ship is required to tack during the night, they will know what to expect.As we make our way around the top of Fraser Island, we will need to tack the Ship several times. This will mean that all handswill have a busy time on watch overnight. The Youth Crew will also receive instruction in how to steer the Ship, act as lookouts andconduct below deck rounds.YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Fact File: The Ship is fitted with the Global Maritime Distress Signalling System (GMDSS) which utilises bothsatellite and land based stations to monitor safety at sea. In order to comply with the requirements of GMDSS, YOUNG ENDEAVOUR carries VHF (short range) radios and HF/MF (long range) radios. In addition, theShip is equipped with satellite communications capable of voice anddata transmission.YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Glossary: Hawse Pipe- The opening in the bulwark, on either bow, through which the anchor cable passesoutboard of the Ship after passing around the Capstan. Naval Pipe-The pipe connecting the Cable Locker with the foc’sle and leading the cable to the capstan.Thought of the Day: There are three ways of trying to win the young. There is persuasion, there is compulsion and there isattraction. You can preach at them, that is a hook without a worm. You can say ‘ you must volunteer’, that is of the devil. And you can tell them ‘you are needed’. That hardly ever fails. Kurt Hahn.Yours, AyeJohn Cowan,LCDR, RAN