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Captain's Log
V07/07
1 June 2007
AT ANCHOR, MIDDLE PERCY ISLAND
Ahoy Me Hearties,Another great day in Voyage 07/07 – to tell you all about it, here is YC Daniel:Hello everyone and those who will look back at this log in the future!Yesterday we left Great Keppel Island and headed North once again for Percy Island which we reached just after mid day today.Last night went smoothly, with all watch groups confident in the jobs which need doing during their watch, including rounds, navigation and steering the ship.This morning we had a sailing test with the “Boss”, Captain Chris, just to make sure we are ready for the Command Day tomorrow, when we will be soley responsible for the entire ship for 24 hours. It rained all morning and soaked everyone down to their socks but, we were successful and proved ourselves to be capable for the undertaking.We reached Percy Island and went ashore for beach games and to check out the “Percy Hilton” (It was still raining). An old large A-framed building, the Hilton has been visited by 1000’s of sea goers and holds hundreds of plaques and ornamentals saying when they came and where they’re from. We left a couple of our own also.The crew is bonding strongly, and are continusously more confident in their abilities. We are all slightly nervous about Command Day, but hold the knowledge to get through it. A few of us are missing home, but know we will arrive back soon.Wish us luck! CheersDanny
Latitude/Longitude:
21°39's / 150°15'e
Conditions:
Wind ESE 15-20 Knots, Weather squalls and showers, cool.
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V07/23
29 March 2023
Day 3– Sea to Flinders Island
Good evening Shipmates,
This evening three Youth Crew have kindly volunteered to write the Captain's Log, with their perspective on the day's events. Take it away Thomas, Josh & Ethen:
The Youth crew woke up this morning bright and early after completing their first night watches.
Today’s weather was much colder than yesterday, but the youth crew got straight into work. Starting off with the formalities – the captain’s inspirational quote of the day, the daily agenda and then straight into ‘Happy Hour’: cleaning stations!
In the morning, there was a fantastic talk delivered by the Navigating Officer to the youth crew. They learnt about various methods of navigation and fixing the position of the vessel with printed charts.
At lunch we enjoyed freshly made rolls – courtesy of Chef Haydo. Divine! From there, some members of the youth crew enjoyed a good few hours of sleep, whilst red watch was called onto deck – conducting rounds and ensuring the safety of all crew.
Tommo once again raised the bar with his exquisite presentation skills: discussing the Sea Rules of the Road & Navigational Markers. Following this – under a healthy Bass Straight dew – we tackled tacking stations for the first time: manoeuvring the main forestay sail, jib and mainstay sail. Above this, we hoisted the main sail for the first time this voyage!
Following this, blue watch enjoyed an eventful and exciting afternoon on deck: furling and setting various sails as we came into our anchor point for the night – Flinders island! We could finally rest our 48 hours of constant transit, upon anchoring into safe harbour – allowing us for the first time to recover our ‘sea legs’.
Haydo once again outdid himself with “Haydo’s Famous Ol’ Pavlova”. Sparing no expense to the main course: a veritable feast of beef casserole, salmon and lamb cutlets served over delicious roast veggies. Shoutout to the Masterchefs: Tias, Tommy and Grace, for delivering a Michelin-star-worthy service.
To finish off the exhausting yet accomplishing day, we settled down under stars to enjoy each other’s company and get to know each other a little better.
As we write this, the youth crew is now preparing their early wakeups overnight for their ‘dog watch’ duties – always alert and ready to take on the adventures ahead!
Laughs have been shared, sails have been set and the Young Endeavour remains to be a grand adventure!
Signing off,
Thomas, Josh & Ethen
V07/23
28 March 2023
Day 2 – Port Arlington to Sea
Ahoy there Shipmates,
The youth crew of V07/23 awoke to the soothing sounds of George Harrison’s “I’ve Got My Mind Set on You” (Sail Master Evan’s pick) at a crisp 0630 for a few brisk laps around the deck. After a scrumptious English breakfast provided by the magnificent chef, Hayden, the youth crew assembled on the deck for the Young Endeavour (YE) Working Aloft Harness Brief, followed by the YE Climbing Brief. Both were delivered by White Watch Leader Theresa. We then laid aloft to conduct First Climbs in our relatively sheltered anchorage.
Climbs were conducted efficiently, and I was pleased to see that most Youth Crew successfully climbed to the Top Gallant Yard on their first attempt. This was completed by 1100 and the crew then cleaned-up and proceeded to lunch.
The morning brief, which had become the afternoon brief, followed lunch and included a rundown of Evan’s Plan for the Day, Navigator Sebastian’s navigational Plan, to get us out of Port Phillip Bay, and his meteorological forecast for the day. Next was the Youth Crew’s first experience with Young Endeavour’s version of ‘Happy Hour’, where the youth crew give the internal living and working areas of the Ship a good clean. The Young Endeavour Ship’s brass bell also received a loving polish.
STS Youth Endeavour weighed anchor at 1330 and commenced the transit across Port Phillip Bay and through The Rip. During this transit the watches commenced Setting and Furling drills on some of the Staysails and continued Deck Safety training, supervised by their Watch Leaders. The crew also took the opportunity to conduct a couple of un-alerted exercises to assess that response times to alarms for Emergency Stations and Leaving Ship Stations were acceptable.
We exited The Rip at 1530, which coincided with slack water to facilitate an easier transit out of the bay for us. The Youth Crew then commenced watch keeping on the bridge which will be maintained through the night. Their duties will include steering the Ship, acting as Lookouts and conducting Engineering Rounds of the Ship, all of which will result in keeping the Ship safe through the night.
The plan is to continue on passage overnight and anchor at Flinders Island tomorrow evening.
Yours Aye, Captain Mike
V07/23
27 March 2023
Day 1 – Geelong to Portarlington
Ahoy there Shipmates,
Welcome to the Captain’s Log for Day 1 of Voyage 7/23, Geelong to Sydney.
The Youth Crew joined the Ship berthed on the Wave Attenuator Pontoon, adjacent the Royal Yacht Club of Geelong, Victoria. It was a cold, grey and damp Geelong day, but there was no dampening the Youth Crew's spirit of excitement. They embarked the ship at 1500 and were welcomed by myself and the Staff Crew for the voyage, who included: Sail Master Evan, Navigator Seb, Watch Officer Thomo, Engineers Sumo and Mick, Chef Haydo, White Watch Leader Theresa assisted by Trev, Red Watch Leader Hutch and Blue Watch Leader Christine assisted by Sara.
We departed Geelong at 1620 and conducted the passage to our overnight anchorage at Port Arlington in drizzly conditions. Along the way the Youth Crew undertook ‘Ice Breakers’ and Ship Tours, followed by dinner. We anchored at 1830 and at 1930 commenced Youth Crew briefings from myself, the Sailmaster, the Engineer and the Chef. These briefings are important day one activities to set the youth crew up for an enjoyable voyage.
The intention is to remain at anchor overnight, conduct first climbs after breakfast and weigh anchor after lunch to conduct the passage to ‘The Rip’. We will be aiming to transit out into Bass Strait on the ebb tide at 1545 and commence our passage to the next planned anchorage at Flinders Island.
Good night and stay safe. Captain Mike Gough