Back to sea

Ahoy there Shipmates, The Ship remained at anchor overnight with the Youth Crew keeping their first anchor watches. This meant that only one member of each watch was up on deck for an hour, letting the other members of the watch catch up on some much needed sleep. The staffies were awoken nice and early by Sail Master Guv with the intention of weighing anchor and getting underway by 0700. As we recovered the anchor the Youth Crew were raised from their blissful slumber and wandered down to the galley to see what wonderful treats Bec and her assistants had on order. With a tasty pastry and a hot cup of coffee, there was many a happy face wandering around the ship. With the anchor home and secured for sea we pointed the bows to the NE and got underway using engines due to the light winds. As we set off Guv mustered the crew on the port side of the bridge for the entertaining morning brief. With salty continuing to enlighten us all with his tales from yesteryear I am sure the Youth Crew will never look at a history lesson the same way again. After a quick clean up down below decks the budding sailors mustered on deck for a sail theory brief from myself. Starting on the basic principles of how sails work I soon dove into the mystery’s and dark arts of square sails and how to maximise the airflow through the entire rig. With some enthralled (or bemused) young sailors captivated by the science behind the art of tall ship sailing I quickly beat a retreat before their questions delved even deeper into theory’s that take a lifetime to master and then apply. The watch’s were then given some time to apply their newly found knowledge and to set and furl some sails with their watch leaders. Allowing them to get that one step closer to my Captians setting and furling assessment and then command day. After such a busy morning lunch seemed to pass in a blur of delectable delights before we were all back up on deck and ready for an afternoon of fun on deck is what had become a bit of a wet and luckily windy day. With the wind freshening in the afternoon we changed the sail plan to include the topgallant and topsail and then conducted our first set of tacks in decent wind. With a few false starts the team started to get the process down pat, even if we did end up boxhauling one of the tacks (Just think three point turn under sail with a 240 tonne ship and you will understand the principals of boxhauling). So once the watches had squared away their own tacking stations we then rotated the watches to allow them to understand what the other watches do at their tacking station. By this stage everyone was rapidly resembling drowned rats so I re-set a suitable sail plan and settled the ship down for the night. I then sent the watches below to warm up and enjoy some scones with jam and cream while Penny and I kept the 1st Dog watch alone. Thankfully after White watch had enjoyed a good hot dinner they came up to relive us of our responsibilities and we could finally go below to warm up ourselves. The watches are well used to the routine of watch keeping by now and the ship will remain at sea overnight. We are making ground towards Heron Island and going a bit too fast actually, as I pen these last words for the night. We have just increased the distance by adding an extra 30nm into the nav plan to try and allow us to arrive at a more suitable time tomorrow. Until tomorrow night, May you never have to reef your course CAPT Matt It was with a happy hearth that the good Odysseus spread his sail to catch the wind and used his seamanship to keep his boat strait with the steering oar. Homer
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Wind: South East at 14ktsSwell: NilTemp: cold and wet (What happened to QLD\'s weather?)
You might also be interested in


Hi Everyone, Welcome to Day 2 of our voyage. After a good night’s sleep the the Young Endeavour Crew woke to an overcast but fine morning in the beautiful Quarantine Bay. Following an Early Morning Activity (EMA) at 0630, Big Breakfast then Morning Brief the Youth Crew were mustered on deck where they were given a comprehensive harness and climbing brief before all of them successfully climbed to the topgallant yard which is our highest yard on the foremast which was a fantastic effort by all. At 1330 we departed our anchorage then commenced our transit south through the picturesque D’Entrecasteaux Channel. During this transit the Youth Crew spent time with their Watch Leaders practicing setting and furling of sails and learning what the many sheets, tacks, halyards and many other lines/ropes on board Young Endeavour do. Once proficient with their sail work the ship was brought under fore and aft sail and we completed our first set of tacks as a crew which went extremely well. On completion of the last tack we reduced sail and then proceeded below to enjoy another one of Chef Haydo’s fantastic dinners. With our stomachs full, everyone again mustered back on deck for Teresa’s Safety Equipment Brief which was the final activity for the day. The time is now 2045 and we are just departing the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Overnight the Youth Crew will settle into their watch routine as we round Southeast Cape and continue to make good speed to Port Davey which is planned to be our next anchorage. Until tomorrow, take care Captain Gav

Hi Everyone, It’s Captain Gav making a guest appearance back on board Young Endeavour for her third voyage of the year. This voyage will see us sail from Hobart to Hobart which will give us 10 day’s to explore some of Tasmania’s spectacular coastline and be challenged by some unpredictable weather conditions which is all part of the adventure. We have put together another great Staff Crew for this voyage who I know will take great care of our new Youth Crew ensuring that they all have an amazing experience. The Young Endeavour Staff Crew for this voyage are as follows: Captain – Gav Sail Masters – Chucky & Libby Navigator – Seb Watch Officer - Matt Blue Watch Leader – Shaun & Hutchy White Watch Leader – Theresa Red Watch Leader – Evan & Emily Chef – Haydo Engineer –Hoppy The voyage commenced at 1500 today when the new Youth Crew joined Young Endeavour berthed alongside Hobarts Princess Wharf. Once we had everyone on board and gear stowed, we mustered on deck for my welcome address followed by Staff Crew introductions. On completion we farewelled a large gathering of family and friends then got straight into a safety brief. Our departure was then slightly delayed due to having to wait for a large cruise liner to depart her berth but at 1640 we cast off lines and departed Princess Wharf. Once safely out in Sullivan’s Cove we were joined by the SV Rhona H who escorted us out into the Derwent River then we commenced our 3hr pilotage down the River and into the D’Entrecasteaux Channel coming safely to anchor at Bruny Islands picturesque Quarantine Bay at 1940. During this pilotage the Youth Crew were given ship’s tours and enjoyed a fantastic dinner consisting of Chicken Kiev, Grilled Salmon, Pasta Bake with numerous Vegetables and Fresh Fruit and Mini Pavlova’s for desert (what a feast). Once safely at anchor I completed my Captain’s Brief and then handed our new young mariners over to their respective Watch Leaders to undertake some other first day activities before they turn in for a well-deserved good night’s sleep. Before I finish I would like to send a big thank you to Chucky’s Mum & Dad for providing home grown blueberry’s and strawberry’s for tonight’s dinner which were used on our mini pavlova’s and fruit platter and were simply amazing! Tomorrow will be another full day with climbs of the foremast planned for the morning before we weigh anchor and continue our Tasmanian adventure. Until tomorrow, take care. Yours aye, Captain Gav