Day 3 – Patonga Anchorage

G’day Shipmates,Welcome to day 3 of our adventure under sail. The ship continued motor-sailing north overnight along the NSW coast. The wind started a light southerly and the swell was 1 metre also from the south. The wind backed to NE and then continued to westerly while the swell had altered from the east by light. The Ship’s motion generated by the swell created a challenge for a few crew members as they continued the struggle to gain their sea legs in the light conditions. Overnight the crew focussed on getting a handle on their watch duties. These include helmsman, lookouts and doing weather observations and engineering rounds, all essential things to keep the Ship running 24/day.As the sun rose, a cheerful Wakey Wakey song (attached below) from White Watch, who had the morning watch, encouraged the remainder of the crew to get out of bed after their first night at sea in Australia’s National Sail Training Ship.As the youth crew dined on another of Luke’s spectacular breakfasts (including porridge, cereals, fresh tropical fruit, bacon, eggs, French toast and fresh baked scrolls) the Staffies brought the Ship to anchor off Patonga in Broken Bay at 0800.At today’s morning brief the crew heard from ‘Salty the Sea-Dog’ (Ian) who explained the nautical origin of some common expressions in the English language. ‘Nana Diesel’ (Sumo) also made her first appearance, giving tips on shipboard hygiene and cleanliness. She then taught the youthies the first of her nautical songs ‘Crabs and Seashells,’ which was followed by cleaning stations or ‘Happy Hour’ as we call it.Following Luke’s delicious lunch, we kicked off the first round of Rope Races (Sumo the Engineer’s favourite). This activity is a competition between the watches to test their retention of ship knowledge on a variety of topics such as safety equipment, parts of the fore-and-aft and the square sails. We then commenced transferring all the youthies ashore to stretch their legs, ‘hug a tree’ (the best cure for seasickness) and to prepare for 3-way chats, a public speaking and ice-breaker activity designed to get everyone to learn more about each other.Everyone had returned onboard by 1600 and after showers and hanging wet clothes and towels out to dry, they all attended Rick’s Navigation brief. This is aimed at teaching the youthies what navigation theory they need to know in preparation for Command Day. Dinner followed at 1715 and then we held 3-way chats. I was very pleased with the efforts put in by all the youth crew and we all learned more about each new member of the crew. We weighed anchor at 1930 and commenced our passage to Newcastle where we will berth at 0800 tomorrow to host a function associated with the Special Olympics being held there at the moment.Yours AyeCaptain Mike———————————————————- WHITE WATCH WAKEY WAKEY SONG – SUN 01 DEC(To the tune of Beyonce’s ‘Single Ladies’)Morning Youth Crew, Morning Youth Crew, Morning Youth Crew, put on your harnessMorning Youth Crew, Morning Youth Crew, Morning Youth Crew, put on your harnessDoing our own little thingPulling ropes, tying knots – make sure you pay attention!Now you seeSailing freeWe’re really at the mercy of the sea.If you like it then you should have unfurled itIf you like it then you should have unfurled itDon’t be daft, if you had wind in it,Because if you liked it then you should have unfurled itWa – oh – oh, Wa – oh – oh. “