BASS STRAIT – 20 NM TO THE NORTH EAST OF THE KENT ISLAND GROUP

PAST 24 HOURSAs our journey continues, the winds remain favourable from the north west at 15-20 knots. This has allowed for some quality sailing at good speeds with our team learning and gaining valuable experience.Yesterday afternoon saw these conditions used to explain a little more about sail theory and then to conduct some rotational tacks. During these, each of the watches gained some more exposure and a better understanding of what the other watch’s roles are during the process of turning the ship (tacking and wearing). As the sun started to set our destinaton of Deal Island was only miles away. We proceeded to anchor and were welcomed with some light rain and easing winds that were veering to the north east. Overnight the world famous three way talks were conducted and we gained a little more of an insight into each individual. Anchor Watches were conducted during the night and the wind remained consistent from the north east. Early this morning the option was given to explore Deal Island and visit the lighthouse and museum. It was a fantastic little expedition and well worth while. Once everyone was recovered it was time to weigh anchor and set somesails. As if on cue and still appearing to have power over the weather, as we set sail the wind backed 30 degrees to the north. This ensured that our dream run would continue. The youth crew are truely gaining their adventure of a lifetime and seeing first hand what an awesome and amazing place this diverse country of ours is. Spirits are high and the adventure and our team continue to build.COMMENTS BY YOUTH CREW:Ahoy there. These last 24 hours we have been heading north east through the Bass Strait. Life on board has settled into some resemblence of routine, with a myriad of of sail changes, watch changes, and now that we can keep our food down, meals. Yesterday following happy hour we had another round of rope races (with Blue watch retaining the lead yet again), more sail theory with Captain Dion and spent the time between galavanting on deck. After another superb dinner we had a comedy session, aka three way talks. In thisexercise we learnt as much as we possibly could about other crew members and then were randomly assigned to impersonate them. The resulting presentations were exeptionally amusing, with alot of information being forgotten and then promptly made up on the spot. By evening the Kent Islands were in sight, and later that night we anchored off Deal Island. This was a relief to many youth crew, who were understandably excited about spending a night in a more upright position… The next morning we were roused bright and early (@6:10), and most of us made our way on shore to visit the historic lighthouse and museum situated on the island. After yet another grueling climb (some of us are wondering if we accidently signed up for boot camp instead), we were rewarded by more breathtaking views of thisremarkable an remote part of Australia. Before leaving the island, some of the eskimos in the crew took the opportunity to swim, while others were busy checking out the Fairy Penguins that nest on the island.Once back on board the ship we weighed anchor, set sail and resumed our course heading north east toward Sydney. Our amusiung quote of the day came from Popeye, in which a great example of remarkable insight and immense intellect was demonstrated as they pointed to a bird flying past and asked ‘Is that a penguin or an albatross?’ Lots of love (but not missing reality and our lives on land), Grandma, Popeye and Honey (aka Louise, Zoe and Will – can you guess who is who?) P.S. Eddie’s a champ and Blue watch is super mighty awesome.NAUTICAL TERM OF THE DAYShiver My Timbers: This expression alludes to ship’s wooden hull striking a rock or shoal so hard that her timbers shiver, shake and shudder.YOURS AYEDION CURTISLIEUTENANT, RANCAPTAIN STS YOUNG ENDEAVOUR