Command Day, Cook Strait
Hi folks, welcome to the Young Endeavour command day voyage 3 2007; the day where the youth crew put the skills learnt during the voyage so far into practice and take full command of the ship for 24 hours. The time is broken into two 12 hour shifts consisting of two separately elected command teams. I, Homer, was elected commanding officer for the first 12 hours. My executive officer was Andrew and my navigators were Johno and Kev. The second team consisting of Frank as commanding officer, Dan as executive officer; and Polly and Pete as navigators, would take control of the ship at a designated handover waypoint.We were assigned the task of navigating through a series of 5 way points beginning at Admiralty Bay at 1300 hrs on 24/2 and finishing at ship cove where we were to anchor at 1200 hrs on 25/2 before giving the ship back at 1300 hrs. In addition secondary tasks such as taking a picture with 20 youth crew aloft were given. Points were awarded for each task completed. The real officers would not be available for consultation but would be present to ensure the safety of the youth crew.The day started when we navigated through French Pass into Admiralty Bay where the first youth command team took over the ship from a standing start. After some trouble getting the ship moving the first command team quickly took charge and the first way point was reached after approximately 2 hours. With the expected strong winds it was not long until the ship was cruising at a very fast rate and the team was in an excellent position to reach their handover waypoint well ahead of schedule. The strong wind however was also hard to control. Reaching 38 knots and with no engines to use the ship was quickly blown off course. With waves coming over the deck and increasingly stormy seas the decision was made by the real commanding officer to abandon the remaining waypoints and seek refuge in Titirangi Bay overnight. Hopefully tomorrow will bring some calmer weather and with it a chance for the second command team to navigate through some revised way points and get us to our final destination.G’day to everyone at home, we will see you soon.Homer
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Wind - SSE 35-40 knots, sea rough, cloudy and cold. Gale warning in force.
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Thank you Tarvi, Kaeden and Matt for your narrative of today's events. Intentions are to remain at anchor in Hunters Bay, just off HMAS Penguin, home of the RAN Diving School, a place close to my heart, having spent many a day there under training as a young Officer! The plan is to weigh anchor and proceed to HMAS Waterhen, in Waverton, to pick up our Community Day Sailors from the Windgap Foundation and take them for a sail around the harbour for 3 hours. The Youth Crew will help us host our visitors and give them an experience of Young Endeavour. We will drop them back to Waverton and then proceed to anchor in the harbour where we will have a good view of the Bridge and the Opera House for the Youth Crew's last night onboard. Until tomorrow. Yours Aye, Captain Mike