Day 3 – Portland

Ahoy there everyone, Welcome to day three on our adventure under sail. The ship continued motor sailing south east overnight under fore and aft sails making good seven knots in heavy seas on a close reach port tack, along the Victorian south west coast. The Youth Crew remained engaged in sailing a tall ship each completing a challenging four hour night watch in the prevailing conditions conducting helm duties, lookout and engineering rounds. With the rising of the sun, the ship had rounded Cape Otway, and the crew were awoken with a cheerful wakey wakey song from White Watch. The song had just ended when the ship was hit with 40 knot winds which ensured everyone was hanging on tightly to ride out the blow. After the wind abated slightly it was time for morning brief followed by happy hour. Prior to lunch Dutchy the Navigator presented his Navigation brief proving to all that in fact the earth was not flat but round, the rest of the Staff Crew are still out on this theory noting that next he would be espousing that mermaids didn’t exist. During this time Youth Crew member Matthew sat a three hour Mathematical Methods school examination in challenging conditions, we wish him all the best with the results.At lunch Chef Snowy out performed himself as usual providing a superb selection of fine cuisine. Then to invigorate everyone after a full stomach Horto the Engineer conducted round two of non-competitive ���Rope Races’ enabling the Youth Crew to challenge themselves by remembering and identifying different items of safety equipment located around the upper decks. Once complete all sails were handed in and the ship proceeded to anchor outside the breakwater of Portland Harbour. Once the ship had her cable the Youth Crew proceeded ashore in the ships boat to stretch their sea legs and hug a tree which is a reputed cure for motion sickness. With all hands back onboard by 1730 dinner was served, this was a magnificent affair which was closely followed by a three way talk activity; this enabled each Youth Crew member to gather a significant amount of in depth information about two of their appointed shipmates during the afternoon; this information is then presented to the remainder of the crew in the third person developing confidence, interpersonal skills and public speaking.Then after a comprehensive brief by the Navigator Ducthy, the Youth Crew settled into their first night anchor watches, maintaining the safety and integrity of the crew and ship. The intention is to remain at anchor overnight prior to weighing tomorrow morning and continuing our passage south west on the adventure that is Young Endeavour. Until tomorrow evening, take care.Yours ayeCaptain Damien