A Magnificent Sunset

Situation at 20:00- Last night proved to be a very quiet time on watch for the Youth Crew. The wind was light and handling sail was very straight forward. On watch, the Youth Crew learned how to act as helmsman, lookout and roundsman. They also had the opportunity to climb aloft.Today’s morning brief was great fun. Navigator Kirsten showed us the progress we have made towards Brisbane, and also noted that the ‘Spewometer’ was only reading at the halfway level. The Salty Sea Dog described the nautical origins of a commonly used pharase, which had all hands in stitches. But Engineer Stewy made the biggest hit. He had collected an enormous load of hgear he found sculling andbrought it all to morning brief in his scran bag. Out of the goodness of his heart, he personally returned each piece of gear to itsrightful owner. But as he always says ‘you get nothing for nothing in this world’. Before long the bridge was chock-a-block of singing Youth Crew and Staff Crew. XO Paige was very impressed with the effort the Youth Crew put into happy hour today. After morning tea, Paige led the Youth Crew through their first installment of ‘RopeRaces’. This is a competative learning activity designed to improve Ship’s knowledge and nautical terminology. The Blue watch have taken a narrow lead, but that could change after round two tomorrow. Thelast activity of the day was the sailing theory lecture delivered by Captain John. This was an interactive lesson on the basics of how sails work, and forms the basis for several other lectures and practical examples that will follow in the next few days.There was only one activity scheduled for the afternoon. Navigator Kirsten enlightened the Youth Crew on the mysteries of her black art. Before too long she was describing obscure terms such as lines of position, chart datum and mercator projections. At one point she was tempted to reveal the secret Navigator handshake, but she came to her senses at the very last moment. Most of the Youth Crew were on deck or aloft to enjoy a magnificant sunset. There is no wind so we are motor-sailing South towards Noosa where we intend anchoring tomorrow. The forecast is for the wind to build overnight so before long the ‘Iron Topsail’ should be secured and silence resumed.YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Fact File: The Ship has a suite of thirteen sails to choose from, depending upon the weather. These range fromthe Drifter, which is used during very light winds, to the Storm Jib and Trysail, used during heavy weather. All the sails are made from modern sailcloh called Dacron, which is considerably stronger and lighter than canvas.YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Glossary: Tacking- To change direction of the Ship by passing the bow through the wind. This is a complex evolutionthat requires precise timing and exact teamwork. Wearing- The opposite of tacking. Changing the direction of the Ship by passingthe Stern through the wind. On most occassions an easier evolution then tacking. Thought of the Day: It is not the critic who counts. Not the> man who points out where the strong man stumbled or where the doer of> great deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena. Whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood. Who strives valiently, who errs and comes up short again and again. And who, while daring greatly, spends himself in a worthy cause so that his place may never be among those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat. Theodore Roosevelt.Yours, AyeJohn Cowan,LCDR, RAN