Day 6 – Sapphire Coast

Ahoy there everyone, Welcome to day six, overnight the ship continued underway motor sailing across the Tasman Sea with our three square sails set passing the Victorian New South Wales border. With the wind continuing to back and veer during the night requiring fine adjustments to the sail plan, this kept the deck watches busy along with applying practical navigation techniques and conducting engineering rounds. In addition each watch conducted a teamwork activity by completing an unfamiliar team orientated task without instruction in a limited time, needless to say each of the watches acquitted themselves well and explored various methods of communication, leadership and teamwork. Sunrise saw the ship passing Gabo Island in sight of the Sapphire Coast, then at 0700 all hands not on watch were roused by another energetic wakey wakey tune from the Youth Crew prior to breakfast, morning brief and happy hour. By midmorning the wind had again strengthened to 22 knots from the SE and the ship was sailing along handsomely at six knots under a full press of sail and a following sea while intermittently being escorted by dolphins hitching a playful ride on the bow wave. During the forenoon watch Joel the Navigator presented a meteorological brief to explain how the weather occurs and that wind is not created merely by the trees swaying.After a fulfilling lunch it was time for round five of rope races which saw some very close competition between the watches as the Youth Crew were becoming increasingly familiar with the terminology, layout and location of items around the ship. Then after a short respite period Joel the Navigator presented his second lesson for the day describing the art of celestial navigation using a sextant.Next the Youth Crew conducted mid voyage talks where each watch discussed individual and collective progression against their initial goals, then reset priorities and revised goals for the remainder of the voyage. The remainder of the afternoon was spent either relaxing on the upper deck or challenging themselves by once again proceeding aloft on the masts, pushing their mental and physical barriers to achieve personal goals, build confidence and develop inner strength, determination and drive as the ship passed Montague Island and paralleled the Eurobodalla Coast.The intention is to remain at sea overnight making ground to the North towards Jervis Bay where the ship is scheduled to anchor for a shore visit. Until tomorrow evening, take care.Yours ayeCaptain Damien