Day 1 – Farewell Brisbane…Hello Tangalooma!

Ahoy shipmates and welcome to Voyage 12/19…the last of our northern deployment to Cairns and return. A perfect Brisbane afternoon greeted the youth crew as they embarked Young Endeavour at HMAS Moreton, Bulimba, with family and friends in tow. I have to say, much nicer weather here than last week when I was in Canberra for meetings…way too cold down there! After our guests had completed a quick look over the ship and our 24 young adventurers had found their bunks and stowed their bags, we all gathered amidships for the formal welcome and introduction of the staff crew. For this trip they are…yours truly Captain Kenny (Cap K), Sailmaster – Dion, Navigator – Harry, Boats Officer – Kyle, White watch leader – Ivanka, Red watch leader – Karly, Blue watch leader – Jerome, Engineer – Horto, and Chef – Zac. We also have with us 2 supernumeraries (potential staff members) who have joined us to find out what YE is all about…welcome Ben and Steve. At 1600 we departed bound for Tangalooma, farewelling friends, family, and Brisbane until next year. We made good time out the river and across Moreton Bay, assisted by the light conditions and an ebbing tide. During the transit the youth crew got to know a bit more about each other, were given detailed tours of the ship by their watch leaders, and we all enjoyed a delicious dinner courtesy of Chef Zac. With full bellies the youth crew then gathered at midships for the Sailmaster’s brief, where Dion explained some of the do’s and don’t, and the Captain’s brief, where I challenged them all to make the most of their 240 hours onboard, encouraging them to take every opportunity afforded them, with the goal at voyage end to leave with no regrets. Around 1945 we came to anchor off the Tangalooma resort and for the next couple of hours the youth crew will commence their training in deck safety and knot tying, as well as completing their full value contracts…outlining their fears and aspirations for the voyage. Around 2200 we will send them to bed for a good night’s sleep…a very busy few days ahead. That’s about it for now, until tomorrow, fair winds, Captain Kenny.