DAY 1 – SYDNEY HARBOUR

G’day shipmates,Welcome to Young Endeavour’s Voyage 3 for 2014. Our journey starts in the beautiful Harbour City of Sydney and will conclude in Newcastle. We have a magnificent tall ship, wind for our sails and the NSW Coast explore. The potential is limitless and sense of adventure is infectious. I would like to introduce the Team of Staff Crew that will facilitate this voyage of adventure:Captain – MikeSail Master – AdamNavigator – MiquelaWatch Officer – Matt and MartyRed Watch Leader – Dave with Super-nummary PeteWhite Watch Leader – Sandy assisted by AaronBlue Watch Leader – Kenny with Super-nummary JodiChef – HaydonEngineer – LindseyVoyage 3 officially commenced at 1500 today when the Youth Crew and their families and friends were welcomed onboard to have a quick look around the Ship and meet the Staff Crew before we sailed from Fleet Base East, Woolloomooloo. We had to do a couple of exercises that were assessed by the Navy Sea Training Group on our way to our Athol Bay anchorage. We conducted a manoverboard exercise and a fire exercise in Rushcutters Bay before proceeding to anchor. While this was going on the Youth Crew divided into their watches and undertook a few ‘ice-breaker’ activities to get to know one another.Dinner followed, with Chef Haydo amazing us with his excellent culinary skills. Once we had cleaned up from dinner, I had a bit of chat to the Youth Crew about what their voyage would entail during the next eleven days. On completion, Adam, as Sail Master, gave his talk about some of the rules and safety aspects of Young Endeavour before giving a safety aloft brief and a demonstration on how to climb the foremast. On completion I undertook a harness confidence check for all members of Youth Crew. This involved each member attaching to a man overboard davit, trained inboard over the deck, and inverting to show they will not fall out of their harnesses. This is our final safety check prior to commencing our first climbs.This evening, with some nerves and a great deal of courage and determination every member of the Youth Crew undertook their first climb above the deck. Whilst not all members reached the topgallant yard (highest yard), which is located on top of the foremast and is approximately 35 m above the water, all did make a huge effort and achieved some success. The weather for the climb was fine, if a little cool until the wind dropped-off and the view of the city lights from aloft was spectacular.The first night climb completed today’s activities and after a hot cup of cocoa the crew turned in for their first nights sleep onboard Young Endeavour.I am very pleased to report that all of the Youth Crew has done extremely well on their first day and I am from the outset impressed with both their individual efforts and the team cohesion the watches are developing already. Tuesday after lunch we plan to depart Sydney Harbour and shape a course to the North, making ground towards Broken Bay.Until Tuesday evening, take care.Yours AyeCaptain Mike