Command

Ahoy there Shipmates,After a restful night at anchor at Mooloolaba, the crew were awoken by Sail Master Kyle at 0630 and mustered on deck for an early morning swim and rope swing to get the body and mind started. We then dined on another of Cinnamon’s delicious breakfasts of fresh fruit, cereals, yoghurts, cooked breakfast, including my favourite – porridge, and the choice of hot fresh-baked plain or chocolate croissants.The 0800 Morning Brief included stories from Salty about the nautical origin of common expressions such as: ‘let the cat out of the bag’, not enough room to swing a cat’, and ‘to turn a blind eye’. Nana also paid us a visit and after her ‘parade of shame’ of all the clothes she had found left lying around in the youthies’ accommodation, she taught them the song: ‘Knife, Fork, Spoon, Spatula.’Then my Staff Crew and I got dressed-up in our best boardies and conducted the handover ceremony at which I handed Young Endeavour over to Captain Melanie and her able-bodied crew to use for Command Day to achieve their tasks and most importantly to have fun! On completion my crew and I all jumped over the side and swam towards the beach – the expressions on the youthies’ faces were priceless!Until tomorrow at 0900 when the adventure of Command Day draws to a close!Yours AyeCaptain Mike Hello land-dwelling families and friends of the Youth Crew of Young Endeavour,This morning at anchor in Mooloolaba began will the usual up-lifting wakey-wakey song which lead us into doing laps of the deck, to bask in the glory of the sunny morning. We then proceeded to jump into the water; swinging from the rope swing, jumping off the side of the ship and the bow sprit. A cold and energising way to wake up!Breakfast continued the proceedings of the day. Thanks to the Cheffies Joel, Will and Emily, and the lovely Keely. The anchorage morning procedures ensued and an amazingly graceful tribute was made to the Wallabies.The happiest hour of the day followed and cleaned away any remaining sand from our warm day exploring Mooloolaba yesterday.Then the big moment happened; Command Day begun:Elections were had last night and Lachlan received Sail Master, Tanya received Navigator, and Hugo received Watch Officer.  Jack received Watch Leader of ‘Nanna’ Watch and Will received Watch Leader of ‘Bay’ Watch. Hats off to our Cheffies Kara, Raima and Emily. Congratulations to all those who received leadership positions.I, Melanie, was privileged to receive Command Day Captain and we began our duties immediately following the handover from Captain Mike. The handover ceremony ended with the Staff Crew jumping off the bow. It was the entertainment for the Youth Crew as Lachie, Tanya, Hugo and I begun planning the activities for the day, in an attempt to do as many of the tasks given to us by the Staffies as possible.The first of which was to get all the Youthies aloft and on the yards of the foremast. Following this was an incredible journey taking six of the Youthies ashore at anchor in Maloolaba via a row boat. They sung the National Anthem proudly with the renowned Young Endeavour mascot once ashore. During this task, the remaining crew created a hammock to hold all nineteen Youthies above deck at midships. Not only was the team work used beneficial but the ropes and knot-tying was good practice for any biding sailor.After a mid-afternoon swim or rest for some, more planning was had by Lachie, Tanya, Hugo and I.  This included when we would weigh anchor and begin sailing for the night. A strategic sail plan was made and before a nice dinner spread provided by the Cheffies, all Youthies worked to set the sails so we could be underway. Due to poor wind conditions we didn’t go anywhere very fast. As the sun set I learnt many valuable things about sailing and what it took to be in command of such an esteemed ship. The evening included a few hurdles which all the Youthies benefited to learn from.Some more planning was done amongst us in leadership positions to tick off those tasks, set by the Staffies, during the rotational night watches. Tomorrow will hope to include more task completion, done in a fun and safe way.Captaincy is no easy task but the Staff Crew on board Young Endeavour are so well qualified and understanding that they help wherever necessary. The Youth Crew on board are all so hard working and committed that they are willing t o do anything to make for a fun and smooth-running Command Day, even if it is tacking stations at midnight.Thank you Staffies and Youthies for this wonderful adventure and invaluable contribution to my life.Yours Aye,Captain Melanie