The Funky BAT

Last night the Command Day debrief was held at midships and the day was analysed in great depth. Bright and early this morning we got on deck to meet a beautiful Sydney day. We got underway after making the ship spotless and berthed at Garden Island again to embark our guests. Soon we were on again sailing on the most beautiful harbour in the world. Our special guest for the day was Chief of the Navy, Vice Admiral David Shackleton, who presented the Active Service Medal to Damo for his heroic efforts in East Timor. He also presented the Order of Australia Emblem to Jen Winlaw, 23, of Wahroonga, NSW, for her efforts in making the Voyage such a success. Congratulations Damo and Jen.We shut down the engines and generators after we got the squares set for a big run down the harbour, under the Harbour Bridge and into Darling Harbour. It was again a great sailing day and we looked very good. Our guests got some superb views from aloft as we sailed and tacked around the Harbour, but then it was time to return and farewell our guests after lunch. After such a big day we all went for a swim. The Squares have now been Harbour furled and tonight is the concert and end of voyage talks.Youth Crew entry by: Sharon Cox, 21, from Terip Terip, Vic. Monday was the Youth Crew’s chance to show what we had learnt over the last 7 days by taking command of the ship for 24 hours. Elections were held on Sunday night, and grasping Young Endeavour’s motto of ���Sieze the Day’, I found myself in the position of Captain for Command Day. As it turned out the big day was a lot longer than the 24hrs with the XO (Jeremy), Navigator (Brooke) and I beginning to plan our course to rescue Santa’s sleigh at around 6pm that night. We started with a quote from Dr. Seusse and smack on track weighing anchor and heading out of Port Hacking with only minimal assistance from the motors despite a reasonable head wind. Unfortunately this was the pattern the wind chose to follow for the remainder of the day, except of course when it wasn’t blowing at all. By mid-afternoon the day was showing signs of being one of the most frustrating of my life but for one thing, the enthusiasm, team work and support of the entire Youth Crew.Communication was going to be the key plan for the day as what I knew alone was not going to get us far but 24 people’s joint knowledge just might. So while the final decision making system was left in tack every youth crew member was regularly asked for and encouraged to step forward with ideas and suggestions. By 10pm and after about 5 tacks (8 attempts), close container ships, lightning storms and rain, everyone was tired and not much ground had been made but what inspired me was that despite knowing this, the crew on deck were still laughing, cracking jokes, and even more so they still had confidence in and support for the command crew when it would have been easy to second guess and lose commitment. During the night the watch officers and watch leaders put in a sterling effort and I can’t explain my relief when at 1am I looked at the chart and found we had doubled our head-way in the 2 hours I’d been asleep. After countless new plans involving motors, no motors, motor-sailing, we found our selves just outside the heads of Sydney Harbour and only had to motor the last mile or so to the heads and in to the harbour itself. There was a great level of achievement flowing through the crew as we made our way past all the yachts, ferries, cruisers and of course the ugly boat and watching it all from the bridge is an experience I will never forget. Once we reached the Opera House the oh so funky boxer short clad BAT team re-claimed the area on behalf of the Youth of Australia much to the awe of some onlookers and the delight of the rest of us on board. Command day was a huge challenge, an amazing learning experience and an absolute buzz, just like the rest of the voyage so far and my endless thanks go to the crew, both Youth and Staff.SharonPS Love to all friends and family especially my brother Andrew on his 25th Birthday today.Speak tomorrowAndrew Davis