Keeping Spirits High

Situation at 20:00: Overnight the Youth Crew completed the major team building exercise of the voyage. This provided an opportunity for them to putinto practise some of the lessons learned from the communications exercise of yesterday, as well as other attributes such as cooperation and tolerance. Each watch was successful in completing the task they had been assigned and the exercise proved to be very valuable.Today’s morning brief was held in somewhat windy and bouncy conditions. Navigator Kirstan showed the track we had followedovernight and also noted that the ‘Spewometer’ was once again on therise. There was no rejoicing. The Salty Sea Dog described the nautical origins of a very commonly heard saying having to dotemperature, metal and primates.Engineer Stewy had some help in leading the singing for those whose gear he had found sculling. It looked distinctly like a Three Stooges convention. Today was Brasso day, and in no time at all the Youth Crew were busy polishing the bright work and causing the XO to positively burst with glee. Morningtea was a terrific combination of cake and cookies both freshly baked by today’s Dish Pigs. After tacking the Ship, the forenoon was finished off with another installment of Rope Races. The Blue Watch have extended their lead but are not yet sure winners overall.After lunch the Watch Leaders took charge and put their watches through several hours of setting and furling drills. The Youth Crew took it in turn to coordinate the efforts of their watches in setting and furling the stay sails in order to prove that they are capable of performing this task effectively on command day. CaptainJohn closely monitored the performance of each watch and found them all to have met the standard necessary for command day. There was great rejoicing. The next activity was a fire exercise for the Staff Crew. It is important that all hands know what is required of them if an emergency occurs and periodic exercises are necessary to ensuredamage conbtrol skills are maintained at a high level.At 18:30 we anchored off Noosa so as to avoid the worst of the strong winds that are blowing offshore. The Youth Crew willremain in sea watches overnight and carry out climbs aloft and some watch-on-deck games and quizes.YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Fact File: The Ship is painted with a specially applied paint. The colour is Britannia blue, the same colour as the former Royal Yacht. YOUNG ENDEAVOUR is the only other Ship in the world to have been given permission by Her Majesty theQueen to be painted in this colour.YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Glossary: Stopper- A short length of line used to assist in turning up sheets and halyards on their pins orcleats. The stopper temporairly takes the strain of the line outboard of the hands that are heaving it in so that they are then free to take turns. Gasket- A short length of line used to secure sails to the yards, masts or other spars. Thought of the day: The most human thing we can do is to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. Clarence Darrow.Yours, AyeJohn CowanLCDR, RANDear Mum, Dad, Rebecca, Relatives, Carla and family. Well life at sea is certainly different. Many of my fellow crew mates found this the hard way by contributing to the ‘spew-o-meter’ tally by offeringeverything they had ever eaten to the ocean. I am yet to suffer this fate (touch wood). One thing we have learnt is how many useable hours there are in one day. On average I think I’m getting 4-5 hrs of sleep with the other 20 odd spent heaving on the sheets, climbing the foremast, setting sails or bonding with other crew and staff fromall over Australia (only 180 seconds max a day is spent showering).The food that ‘Polly’ serves up is nothing else but fantastic (nearly as good as mums), we certainly dont starve. Often we get visits from curious dolphins and yesterday a whale. Im tired, sore, and miss uall but am not ready to come home yet. A sea voyage is a must for all. Gotta go, have to be up on watch at 0400. Doug, Brisbane.Tonight we are at anchor off Noosa… a very different angle from what I am used to seeing Noosa from. The last few days have been spent at sea… working hard on perfecting sail drills, learningknots, heaving in on lines and climbing aloft. When we are not up on deck we are usually asleep. It’s an odd experience to have to strap yourself into your own bed at night… or day… or whenever else youget the chance to rest. I’m glad to say I’m not suffering from seasickness because strapping myself to the side of the ship is one odd experience I can do without. The next few days will be spent preparing for our command day and sea shanties play a large part in keeping us in high spirits for the days ahead. I’ve just spent thelast two hours singing a few of the classics alongside the ‘Salty Sea Dog’ Lisa who strums up a mean tune or two. I’ve got a week of sailing ahead of me and honestly I can’t wait. Hi to all back home and I’ll see you soon – maybe a bit shabby but no worse for wear.Simon, BrisbaneWhen I decided to apply for a berth on the Young Endeavour I was looking for an adventure at sea, and what an adventure Ive had. The people Ive met on this ship are amazing, Ive made friendships that will last a life time. I now have muscles that I never new existed and have the phrase two, six heave going through my head 24 hours a day. The highlight today was when Kellyann, Carin and I climbed out on the bow sprit while we were sailing and got totally submerged inthe ocean. It was awesome. I just want to thank all the staff for all the effort they put into this trip. See you all soon.Kellie, Melbourne.