About Face and off to Dunk Island

For the truth is that I already know about as much about fate as I need to know. The day will come when I will die. So the only matter of consequence before me is what I will do with my allotted time. I can remain on shore, paralysed with fear, or I can raise my sails and dip and soar in the breeze Richard Bode First you have to row a little boat Ahoy there everyone, A wise old sailor once told me that ‘A plan is a basis for change, and change is constant in life’. This little line has played out in my mind several times since I first heard it and once more it came true last night. We were beating to windward with a good press of fore and aft sails in 28kts of wind and slowly making ground to windward towards Magnetic Island. Then during the Guts watch (2345-0345) a squall came across the ship. The Watch Officer got Red watch to shorten in sail but unfortunately the jib sheet block failed and now the jib will be out of action until I can send the ever resourceful Guv aloft to sort it out. So with a willingness to see the silver lining in ever cloud we turned about face and started to make our way towards Dunk Is. How the ship changed in a matter of minutes from a wild animal thrashing its way into the wind to the most timid of creatures meandering Northwards. With shipborne routine now firmly in place the watches filtered through breakfast and there were a few takers and a few no so keen on a solid meal quite so soon after last nights sea state. When they came on deck they were amazed to see a full press of squares which White Watch had completed during the Morning Watch (0345-0745). The morning brief was a sombre affair with a lot of tired faces. Luckily we had to wear the ship (much the same as a gibe in smaller sailing vessels) so they all had a task to do and were soon re-energised. The theory lesson for today was sail theory which I conducted in drizzly conditions at midships. On completion most of the Youth Crew opted for a snooze due to the calmer conditions but a few brave souls took the opportunity to consolidate their navigation training or to lay aloft for a lookout from the topgallant. After lunch we had the third round of rope races and the competition is starting to heat up. On completion of rope races it was straight into shortening in sail and making preparations to go to anchor in Brammo Bay at Dunk Island. Once at anchor there was a call for volunteers to lay aloft to sea furl all the sails in wet and rainy conditions and surprisingly there was almost a 100% volunteer rate. As the old adage goes many hands make light work and the sea furls were completed in excellent time. During the afternoon the watches conducted a team work and leadership exercise and our resident Northern Queenslander Mick (The Engineer) spotted a turtle in distress. The poor bloke was struggling to swim down and after a quick call to Parks and Wildlife it was determined that it would be best to go for a rescue. It was quite the spectacular rescue with Mick taking a dive into the Ogen to effect the rescue. Mick was assisted by both Guv (WWL) and Dougie (BWL). Once in the boat we have made him safe and secure for the night and we will look at transferring him to Mission Beach South tomorrow morning. After dinner the Nav Tim did a very informative Met brief and tried to explain why it has been raining all day. Following the entertaining brief which involved a rain dance the crew finished the night with a Triva night and then onto anchor watches overnight. Until next time, Fair winds and a following sea….. CAPT Matt Do not pray for easy times; pray to be stronger. Do not pray for tasks equal to your powers; pray for powers equal to your tasks. John F. Kennedy