Captain's Log

V20/25, Sydney - Sydney

11 December 2025

Day 04 – V20/25, Sydney -Sydney

Ahoy shipmates. Our Youth Crew have had a huge day and just fallen out from Tacking Stations. Day Four saw us wake up nice and early whilst at anchor in the picturesque Salamander Bay, Port Stephens. About 4 nautical miles inside of the heads and across some relatively shallow sandy bars it is only possible to get in and out of here with the right tides, fortunately we had those over the last 24 hours.

Youth Crew held anchor watches overnight and continued to learn about their ship with engine rounds, navigation fixing techniques and just getting to know each other with some chat during the silent hours. At 0630 we woke up and worked through an early morning activity as the sun rose in the background.

Kingy prepared a massive cooked breakfast with some delicious French Toast on the side. After our morning brief we thoroughly cleaned the ship during Happy Hour and then it was time to run through some presentations. While Navigator Matt enlightened us with some navigation theory, Captain Leups hosted two of the Port Stephens Yacht Club officials onboard; Margeax and Michael were welcomed for a tour and for a chat to the Youth Crew about their adventure to date. Sharing our beautiful ship with like-minded mariners around the country is something that we love to do – thanks for coming onboard!

After lunch we weighed anchor and pointed the bows for sea. With favourable winds we sailed out of Port Stephens under a press of fore and afts and with the Topsail braced sharply to port. Hopefully the residents of Nelson Bay enjoyed the sight of the ship majestically proceeding out to sea under sail.

Once clear of the islands the ship was closed up to Tacking Stations and we introduced our crew to the concept of a Tack and of the importance for everyone to be ready to get up and respond should we need to. The team were great and we pirouetted this big ship across the deep blue until it was time for dinner.

We are now settling down into sea watches overnight with a course broadly set for Seal Rocks. By morning though we will be back in the vicinity of Final Bay where we will seek shelter from the forecast Northerlies overnight.

All Crew are well and having a great time. Tomorrow will be another huge day as we continue to build skills and drills in our team!

Captain Leups Out +

Latitude/Longitude:

32 41.755S / 152 19.688E

Conditions:

Weather: Sunny Wind: 15-20kn S-SE Temp: 27C

AUTHOR: Andrew Leupen

You might also be interested in

V20/25

10 December 2025

Day 03 – V20/25, Sydney -Sydney

Hello friends! The ship sailed north overnight with beautiful fair winds and a following sea. The youthies were introduced to a little bit of wave action and immediately started learning about seasickness and how to still make the most of the evening watches. Visiting dolphins helped us as they escorted us along the way. The Youth Crew helped each other work through the seas with setting and furling sails applying skills our watch leaders have been teaching us throughout the day. In the morning we also did a drill on how to save someone should they fall over board. We had a lovely volunteer named Oscar he has a bright orange fluoro skin with a face that always seems to stay the same! The dummy was thrown overboard and youthies and staffies stayed clam to turn the boat around to safely retrieve Oscar. This experience showed us youthies how important training is for these high stress situations. When everybody was in place Navigator Jack jumped into action swimming away from the ship with his life jacket and equipment to retrieve Oscar. Teamwork shone through this drill and it was very rewarding. Kingy served up a feast with Carbonara and Chicken Schnitties for lunch, I must say the food here is AMAZING!! Swell went down as we entered Port Stephens and anchored in Salamander Bay. As the swell settled down so too did the youthies stomachs. The staff showed newbie Ben how to drive the RHIB when we anchored, and we got ready for our first swim on the Young Endeavour. The rope swing was out and most youthies launched into blue sky often finding their faces first with the water!! At the end we all had big similes and laughs and keen to do it again. Dinner is now done with Salmon and Veges or Chicken Korma, we are up on deck about to start a 3 way chat game to get to know our shipmates better!! Goodnight and thankyou from Milli!

V20/25

09 December 2025

Day 02 – V20/25, Sydney -Sydney

Good evening shipmates, We're finally back to sea!! The crew of Voyage 20/25 awoke at 0630L and conducted our traditional early morning activity onboard with the bustle of one of the busiest Naval Ports happening in the background. We remained alongside Fleet Base East overnight and it proved a safe and comfortable berth. Thank you for your hospitality! At 0800L we cast loose our lines and conducted a sternboard all the way out past the sleek grey warships berthed within the base. Boatswain calls shrieked and our team proudly saluted the senior ships as we passed bridge to bridge. After a short sail across the harbour we settled in to anchor under the shade of Taronga Zoo. The team worked through their deck safety processes and were initiated to the world of setting and furling sails. This was in preparation for our sail at 1500L where we ran a rack track to the East of Shark Island as we started building muscle memory to the call of "Two Six Heave!". It was a warm day today but the team pushed on, looked after themselves and made more progress than they realise. At 1800L as the sun reached for the horizon we set ourselves up to exit harbour and proceed to sea. Our headmark is the approach to Port Stephens with a target anchorage deep within the bay in the shelter of Salamander Bay. Our crew are looking forward to their first sea watches and to driving our beautiful ship to cover some sea miles overnight. Check in tomorrow to see how our crew have fared. We're expecting a little bit of a Southerly Blow through the first watch (2000-midnight) before it settles down for a lovely day. This crew have brought a pure energy and genuine enthusiasm. It promises to be a great voyage! Captain Leups Out +

V20/25

08 December 2025

Day 01 – V20/25, Sydney -Sydney

Ahoy there readers of this fine journal. Today begins Voyage 20/25 with 24 Young Australians joining us from all over the country to explore the East Coast of Australia as we depart from and return to Sydney Harbour over 11 days. Engineer Dan and his trusty team have seen the ship through a solid maintenance package refreshing and renewing all things below decks after our 7 month Circumnavigation of Australia adventure. What a ride that was. At 1500L we had 24 Young Australians and their families arrive onboard for a welcoming ceremony and to figure out just what they have got themselves into. The crew with Leups as CO, Sarah as Sailmaster, Matt as Navs, Jack as the Officer of the Watch, Dan as Engineer, Bec and Ryan as White Watch Leaders, Mitch and Benny as Red Watch Leaders and Karsen as Blue Watch Leader and Kingy the Chef, were happy to meet and greet at the gangway. The forecast for the coming 11 days is looking good and we intend to make the most of it. Follow us as we brush up some skills and drills in the harbour tomorrow before setting for sea. It's a 50-50 whether we go North or South; will it be Port Stephens or will it be Jervis Bay... Time will tell. Tonight our crew settled in with icebreakers, ships tours and a delicious meal cooked by Kingy. As the sun sets over the Sydney Harbour Bridge we will climb the foremast and enjoy the city lights from aloft. It feels good to be through maintenance, back with Young Adventurers onboard and an eager crew. What a way to finish off a very busy year. Watch this space, Captain Leups Out +

THE VOYAGE

Latest Captain’s Log

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Apply for Financial Assistance

FOR GUARDIANS

Youth Safety & Mental Health

FOR ORGANISATIONS

Scholarships for Local Youth

ABOUT US

The Young Endeavour Youth Scheme

OUR COMMUNITY

Make a Donation

Day 04 – V20/25, Sydney -Sydney

Latitude/Longitude:

Conditions:

You might also be interested in

Ready to set sail?

More Information

Donations

Contact Us

1800 020 444

Keep in Touch

1800 020 444