Captain's Log

Mar-16

2 December 2016

Day 5 – Departed Portland

Hi Everyone,
Welcome to day five of our voyage. Following a good nights sleep at anchor the Youth Crew were up and about at sunrise for an early morning activity followed by breakfast and a very quick morning brief. Once completed they were given a quick demonstration on three way chats by Carly and Tug then once they had been given the names of their opposites they were ferried ashore to the township of Portland where they enjoyed a good leg stretch, a chance to hug a tree (proven cure for seasickness) and a chance to sit down and enjoy a real coffee or coke.

By 1200 everyone was back onboard and once we had finished another one of Marcusâ€™s delicious lunches and recovered the RHIB (ships boat) we sat down and enjoyed an entertaining set of three way chats (getting to know you and communication exercise). Once completed preparations were made to sail and at 1400 the anchor was weighed and in pleasant conditions we departed Portland Harbour. Once in open water we set a little sail but due to light conditions still had to rely on main engines.

Currently we are located 45nm to the SE of Portland making best speed toward the Tasmanian coast and awaiting a wind shift to the west which should give us some favourable sailing conditions.

Writing tonightâ€™s Captains Log is Blue Watch, please enjoy.

Until tomorrow, take care
Yours Aye
Captain Gav

Captains Log 12 Feb 16
Land Ahoy!
Today the crew had the opportunity to explore the quaint Victorian town of Portland. Although initially struggling to accustom themselves with stable land beneath their feet (crew were seen hugging trees and swaying from side to side), the short visit revitalised the team and provided them with new connections to their comrades.
The landing in Portland comprised of a treasure hunt, group-building activities, curious conversation with locals, and lots of coffee. Many of us gravitated towards the things that we missed most; a coffee machine was purchased for on board the ship, McDonalds was visited, and tea was tasted.
Back on the ship, the staff crew conducted a get-to-know-you exercise, whereby groups of three swapped identities with one another, and presented a brief, funny introduction of their new identity. This provided a lot of laughs and gave everyone an insight into anyone they may not have had a chance to talk to.
â€œHappy hourâ€ – cleaning time â€“ was celebrated today with a dance party in the passage way.
Blue Watch (â€œCarlyâ€™s Angelsâ€) conquered fears as they climbed the foremast during heaving swells. High above the waves, holding on for our dear lives, we continued our much-loved wordplay game of â€œIâ€™m going camping and Iâ€™m going to bringâ€¦â€ The Angels welcomed the leadership of Phoebe today as she led us through the Last Dog Watch; congratulates Rebekah for not succumbing to the trails of seasickness; thanks Billy and Ham for winning the Maccas treasure hunt for us; Kirstie and Ethan for keeping smooth navigator Evan on track, are jealous of Megs new coffee machine, and Brian for being genuinely awesome.
Thatâ€™s all from us, Blue Watch over and out.

Latitude/Longitude:

38 45 S / 141 58 E

Conditions:

Currently located 45nm to the SE of Portland and experiencing moderate 10-15kt ESE winds with a 1-2m SW swell. Our current speed is 6kts and the temperature is 18 degrees.

AUTHOR: Commanding Officer STS Young Endeavour

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Day 10 – Community Day Sail Sydney Harbour

Good evening shipmates, After a well-earned quality night’s sleep at anchor in Hunters Bay, Sail Master Sara woke us with another of her soothing tunes to get us on deck for a quick early morning activity. After breakfast the staff crew weighed anchor and conducted the transit to HMAS Waterhen, at Waverton. We berthed there at 0900 and prepared to embark our guests for the Community Day Sail. At 1015 we cast off our berthing lines and departed with our 34 guests and commenced our 3 hour tour of the harbour. Our Community Day Sailors were a group 30 members and staff from the Windgap Foundation. We also embarked some defence personnel as well. We again passed under the Harbour Bridge and then proceeded into Rose Bay where we set some sails and commenced sailing back towards Waterhen. Whilst on the harbour our fantastic youth crew helped us host our Windgap special guests. They encouraged our guests to participate in setting the staysails and a square sail by helping to pull on the sheets and clewlines. The youth crew also helped Chef Ash to prepare and deliver the food to our guests on deck. At 1300, after 3 fun-packed hours on the harbour, we berthed back at the southern wharf at HMAS Waterhen. Once we had farewelled our guests it was time to commence our end-of-voyage activities and preparations. The staff crew managed to organise a visit to the RAN Ship MATV Sycamore, which is crewed by a mixture of civilians and Navy staff, is a multi-role aviation training vessel. The youth crew embarked with their watch leaders and were given a 45 minute tour of the ship by some of the Navy crew. On completion they returned onboard and Young Endeavour sailed and proceeded to our anchorage in Athol Bay, which affords a great view of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. During the transit to the anchorage the Youthies undertook their end-of-voyage chats, facilitated by their watch leaders, to examine if they had achieved everything in their full-value contracts they had completed at the start of the voyage. After the traditional last voyage dinner of home made pizzas, Sara gave the Youthies the Harbour Furl brief, who then donned their climbing harnesses and laid aloft to undertake the ‘Harbour Furl’ of the square sails to make them look immaculate for our ceremonial arrival at the end of the voyage tomorrow. Once that was completed, the youth crew then finished off their final outstanding Command Day tasks, which were planned for the last night onboard. These included the Voyage Slide Show compiled of photos taken by everyone. This was excellent and provided a touching reminder of what we had experienced and the beautiful coastlines and islands that we had visited during the voyage. The final activity of the day was the end-of-voyage administration, which for the youth crew included a feedback questionnaire asking for feedback on their experience of the voyage, as well as a letter for each crew member to write to themselves on their experiences during the voyage, which the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme will post to the youth crew in 6 months time. The aim of this is to help reinforce what the youth crew have learned about leadership, teamwork and about themselves from the experience of the voyage. Once these were completed the crew were encouraged to go to bed. The Ship will remain in Athol Bay overnight and weigh anchor and sail in the morning at 0900 and undertake the transit to HMAS Waterhen, where family and friends will meet the Ship on arrival at 1000. Until you hear from me tomorrow for the final instalment of Voyage 04/24. Yours aye, Captain Mike

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Day 9 – Command Day Part 2

Ahoy from Sydney! For today’s Captain’s Log: the Youthies took over and completed several tasks including singing the national anthem in three different tunes as well as giving salty sea facts to start the day in a nautical way. We finally made it! After a long and weary effort of the command team and watches, we were able to fully sail into Sydney Harbour. At approximately 11:50 we anchored in Hunters Bay. To celebrate we had a groovtastic disco in the 12 berth due to excessive rainfall but the youthies made it work, having a blast dancing to Billie Jean. Afterwards, the youthies as well as the staff reflected on our efforts during command day, following the handover of the ship to the Staffies, where we highlighted what we did well, what we could improve on and what lessons we can take back to our normal lives, of which there are many. Continuing on from the previous log, with command day still ongoing. We encountered multiple problems. One of which being that mother nature didn’t bless us and gave us little to no wind to work with. However with the efforts of the Youthies we were able to successfully gather up to 8 knots of speed after a 4am tack in which the youthies persevered despite a lack of sleep enabling us to make our way into Sydney. Before our reflection the Youthies finished their day strong with a ‘Happy Hour’ cleaning session and one final dance. The afternoon was spent relaxing and recharging from ‘Command Day’, going aloft and furling the square sails. For dinner, Ash prepared a barbecue with steak, sausages, chicken kebabs with buns and an assortment of salads with a delicious chocolate cake for dessert. The Youthies are looking forward to the Community Day Sail tomorrow which will be a great opportunity to give back to Australia and put our sailing knowledge to the test. We have learned many lessons during ‘Command Day’, we pushed ourselves out of our comfort zone and together a crew of 24 youth were able to sail a tall ship into the harbour of Sydney. Today’s score: 9 camels and a donkey (Amazing) Until next time Rock on! Tarvi, Kaeden and Matt. P.S. Happy Birthday for tomorrow little bro, love Lil xx P.S.S. Kai, sorry I didn’t do the thing for Meg. I just remembered and will do it when back.

Thank you Tarvi, Kaeden and Matt for your narrative of today's events. Intentions are to remain at anchor in Hunters Bay, just off HMAS Penguin, home of the RAN Diving School, a place close to my heart, having spent many a day there under training as a young Officer! The plan is to weigh anchor and proceed to HMAS Waterhen, in Waverton, to pick up our Community Day Sailors from the Windgap Foundation and take them for a sail around the harbour for 3 hours. The Youth Crew will help us host our visitors and give them an experience of Young Endeavour. We will drop them back to Waverton and then proceed to anchor in the harbour where we will have a good view of the Bridge and the Opera House for the Youth Crew's last night onboard. Until tomorrow. Yours Aye, Captain Mike

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Day 5 – Departed Portland

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