AT ANCHOR BRAMBLE COVE, PORT DAVY, SOUTH WEST TASMANIA

PAST 24 HOURSYESTERDAY AFTERNOON SAW OUR YOUNG ADVENTURERS BEING INSTRUCTED ON THE WORKING PARTS OF SAILS FOLLOWED BY SOME IMPRESSIVE FIRST UP DRILLS. WINDS FROM THE SOUTH EAST ASSISTED OUR CAUSE IN GETTING MANY OF OUR SAILS OUT, HOWEVER THE WINDS WERE NOT QUITE OF SUFFICIENT STRENGTH TO REALLY GET INTO THE SAILING SPIRIT WITH OUR SQUARES SAILS. DESPITE THIS, UNDER PLAIN SAIL WE WERE ABLE TO CONDUCT A NUMBER OF TACKS ENSURING OUR TEAM COULD KNEW THEIR ROLES AND WHAT WAS REQUIRED TO TURN THE SHIP IF REQUIRED.AS THE SUN SET, SAILING AS FAR SOUTH AS MOST IN THE SHIP HAD EVERBEEN, THE SOUTHERN TASMANIAN COAST LINE PROVED A MAGNIFICENTSPECTICAL WITH SOME AMAZING SCENERY.THE FIRST NIGHT AT SEA PRESENTED SOME OF THE YOUTH CREW A FIRSTOPPORTUNITY TO LAY ALOFT WHILST UNDERWAY. OVER NIGHT WATCHESCONSOLIDATED SUCH THINGS AS SETTING AND FURLING OF SAILS, HOW TOSTEER THE SHIP, AND HOW TO CONDUCT ROUNDS OF THE ENGINE ROOM AND OTHER COMPARTMENTS WITHIN THE SHIP.PROCEEDING INTO ANCHOR AT BRAMBLE COVE, PORT DAVY EARLY IN THEMORNING TO ESCAPE THE BUILDING WEATHER THAT WAS FORECAST (FOR OVER 40 KNOTS) PROVED TO BE A VERY GOOD DECISION. AS DAYLIGHT DAWNED THE YOUTH CREW WERE CONFRONTED BY THE SPECTACULAR AND IMPOSING MOUNTAIN RANGES THAT NOW SURROUNDED THE SHIP. SO AFTER SOME BREAKFAST AND A SNAPPY HAPPY HOUR IT WAS TIME FOR AN UNEXPECTED CHALLENGE. THAT OF CONQUERING MOUNT MISERY . . . A SHORE EXPEDITION IN SOME OF AUSTRALIA’S MOST REMOTE, IN-ACCESSABLE, MAJESTIC AND UNTOUCHED COUNRTY. FEW KNEW OF THE CHALLENGES THAT LAY AHEAD.AS WE EMBARKED ON OUR SHORE ADVENTURE, THE YOUTH CREW DESPITE BEINGCHALLENGED BY A LITTLE SEA SICKNESS OVERNIGHT APPEAR TO BE IN GOOD SPIRITS. THIS NEXT CHALLENGE WILL BE ONE TO REMEMBER!!! STAY TUNED. NAUTICAL TERM OF THE DAYRIG: THE RIG OF A SHIP DENOTES THE MASTS, SPARS, STAYS AND SAILS THAT DRIVE THE SHIP. THE PARTICULAR ARRANGEMENT OF THE MASTS AND SAILS DIFFERENTIATES TYPES OF VESSELS – BARK, BRIG, SCHOONER ETC,REGARDLESS OF HULL DESIGN. THIS TERM HAS NOW COME TO BE USED INREFERENCE TO THE TYPE OF COSTUME OR STYLE OF DRESS.YOURS AYEDION CURTISLIEUTENANT, RANCAPTAIN STS YOUNG ENDEAVOUR