Day Eleven – Final Night of Voyage 02/16

Hi Everyone, Welcome to day eleven of our voyage. The Young Endeavour crew awoke to a fine but windy morning but well rested following a good nights sleep. Following an Early Morning Activity (EMA), breakfast and morning brief we gave the ship a thorough clean both above and below decks in preparation for our Half Day Sail Guests. At 0930 we welcomed 22 guests onboard, including members of the City of Port Adelaide Enfield Community Group and a number of staff and volunteers from Operation Flinders. At 1000 the lines were cast off and we departed our berth, conducted a turn at rest in front of the Bascule Bridge then commenced an enjoyable sail down the Port Adelaide River. During the three hours that followed the Youth Crew did a great job of keeping our guests entertained and everyone enjoyed a fantastic sail in near perfect conditions. Sadly the time passed to quickly and by 1300 we were again back alongside our berth at the Port Adelaide’s Inner Harbour. Once we had farewelled our guests the Youth Crew proceeded aloft and completed a good set of harbour furls then went ashore with their Watch Leaders to local cafes for their end of voyage talks. By 1630 everyone was back onboard and normally I would depart the berth and proceed out to anchor but due to the strong winds and lack of a suitably sheltered anchorage I decided to remain alongside overnight for the final night of the voyage. This evening we enjoyed a dinner of Chef Marcus’s world famous pizza’s which were served on deck. Once we had cleaned up from dinner the Youth Crew adjourned to the café and completed end of voyage questionnaires and “letters to themselves”, which are returned to each Youth Crew member six months after voyage completion. Whilst the Youth Crew were completing these final administration tasks the Staff Crew took the opportunity to conduct the ‘end of voyage’ debriefs. With these tasks complete, at dusk we commenced a photo slide show up on deck capturing various moments and experiences during the voyage. This slide show has become a popular part of the Young Endeavour Program and gives the Youth Crew an opportunity to reflect on the past 11 days and their amazing experiences throughout the voyage. At 0900 tomorrow morning Young Endeavour will depart her berth and proceeded a short distance down the Port Adelaide River before turning around then heading back to Port Adelaide’s Inner Harbour this time passing through the Bascule Bridge which will be opened especially for our arrival at Port Adelaide’s McLaren Wharf at 1010 tomorrow morning. Once alongside family and friends will be invited onboard for a tour of the ship and to witness my final address and the presentation of Certificates of Achievement to all of the Youth Crew. Following this presentation we will say our final emotional farewell to the Youth Crew of Voyage 02/16 as they depart the ship. On a personal note, I would like to thank all of the Youth Crew of Voyage 02/16 for the effort that you have put in throughout this voyage and being part of the Australian voyages that are assisting in getting the Ship home to Sydney following the 2015 World Voyage. You are a great group of young Australians and all of the Staff Crew of Young Endeavour have enjoyed spending the past 11 days sailing with all of you. The Ship will now spend the weekend in Port Adelaide prior to embarking the Youth Crew for Voyage 03/16 who will sail the Ship from Adelaide to Hobart. Until next voyage, take care Yours Aye Captain Gav