Login
Day 1 – Welcome Aboard, 18′ Skiffs…and Rose Bay!
Ahoy shipmates… welcome to Voyage 02/21. Our return to youth development voyages (with the appropriate COVID protocols in place) continues! Voyage 01/21 was a raging success, and I’m confident this voyage will be much the same… hopefully with more consistent winds! At 1500 this afternoon our 17 young adventurers joined Young Endeavour at HMAS Waterhen, and after bags were stowed we all gathered at midhships for the formal welcome and introduction of the staff crew. They are: Captain Kenny,Sailmaster Jemma, Navigator Jerome, Watch Officer Rio, White Watch Leader Dan, Red Watch Leader Phoebe, Blue Watch Leader TJ, Engineer Reggie, and Chef Keely. Once the formalities were dispensed with, the initial safety brief was given…alarms, lifejackets, muster points etc, and the big one…can you swim? ;). We then departed for the short transit under the bridge and past the opera house, before coming to anchor in Rose Bay…I say this every time but how cool is Sydney Harbour! And the 18 footers (sailing skiffs) were out and about…spectacular! It was then time for ice-breakers, ship’s tours, and a spectacular dinner from chef Keely…I’m gunna get fat…again! With full bellies we all then gathered at midships for the obligatory first night briefs, hearing from the engineer, sailmaster and myself…some basic guidelines, tips and motivation, before rolling into the more detailed safety brief titled ‘Captain’s Safety’. Our safety equipment guru Dan provided some more detailed information on the location and use of the various pieces of safety equipment around the ship…important information prior to heading to sea. The youth crew then split into their respective watches to complete their ‘full value contracts’ (highlighting their voyage aims and challenges), and to commence their introduction to line handling…the first few days will be information overload for most. We will remain at anchor overnight and spend tomorrow completing first climbs on the 33 metre foremast, their first challenge, followed by an intro to setting and furling sails. Looking at the weather we will probably depart late tomorrow afternoon and turn right…destination Jervis Bay, making the most of the forecast easterly breeze. That’s about it for now…we will have them in bed by 2200 for a good night’s rest before the always busy day two. Until tomorrow, fair winds, Captain Kenny
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Wind: SE at 12 knots Weather: Overcast/passing showers Sea: Calm Location: At anchor Rose Bay
You might also be interested in
ARRRGH, ahoy there from the spectacular Jervis Bay! We’ve all been taken A-back by the crystal clear blue waters and snow white sands.
After a well deserved sleep in these sheltered waters which was a refreshing change to clinging to our bunk racks for dear life for the past few days, the ship rose to another banger of a morale tune “sung” by Blue Watch. Brekkie was fun after the early morning activity to get us all up and moving. We held another round of competitive not-competitive rope races which culminated in smashed eggs on deck and the mummification of said egg smashers.
Roast lamb for lunch was prepped by the staffies in the absence of our culinary wizard Steve. Once cleaned up, we took the RHIB’s across to Captains Beach bordering HMAS Creswell which was a mind-blowingly beautiful little spot. Pretty much everyone had a dip in the drink and a roll in the sand and played some creative beach games run by our Suitability legends, Speedy Sam and Eggs.
A few hours at the beach made everyone ready to head back home and attack a teak deck barbeque, devouring cheese platters, steaks, sangas, and salads. With our full stomachs, us youthies initiated the highly anticipated elections for our command day roles. Which will commence sometime around midday tomorrow. We held a vote for each available role that all willing youthies put themselves forward for.
The following roles were voted as follows: Captain – Warwick, Sailmaster – Hugh, Navigator – Ruscoe, Officer of the Watch – Dan, Watch Leader – Nick, Ben, Bridget, Master chef – Emily, Mackenzie, Alyshia
We were greeted after our elections by a low flying anti-submarine MH60-Romeo Helicopter which did a cool fly around our ship. *Thanks Squizz!!* And then watched an amazing film about the rounding of Cape Horn back in 1929 on a 7 story tall sail ship.
Signing off from our anchor watch, Ben and Giles.
“I believe that positive energy and optimism help us to take up any challenge in life and to succeed in even the most difficult tasks. I also believe that positive energy is contagious: We can transmit it to others”
After a rather nonchalant guts watch with the Bluies, Reddies came in guns a blazing, setting our beautiful square sails preparing us for a speedy and eventful day at sea. Scaling (laying aloft) the Foremast, whilst the ship swayed kept the Reddies on their toes, holding on for dear life as they let out the gaskets for the Topgallant and Topsail Yards. A challenging activity to start off our day rewarded with a beautiful sunrise over Starboard.
During the day we participated in a Meteorology Brief led by our resident Nav guru TOMO, learning everything there is about fluffy, rainy and stormy clouds. This was followed by Lunch and a needed Siesta.
Whilst some slumbered, Bluies kept watch. They had brave volunteers to climb both main mast and to the topgallant yard to sea furl the sails.
In the afternoon, our Watches came together to have Mid Voyage Chats, where we had the opportunity to reflect on our voyage goals, experiences and discuss our hopes for Command Day. There were some very heartfelt talks, from overcoming fears, to gaining confidence in working as a team, and we set our eyes upon what we want to achieve in the rest of the voyage.
The first dog (Reddies) (from 1545 to 1745) was full of excitement, with over 50kn winds and up to 50 degrees on the OOOH AAAH meter (heel). Watching the waves break higher than the rails was an exhilarating experience and kept us holding on tight. Sites of sharks and a Cargo ship kept our lookouts entertained, while Callum lead an engaging activity on Charts. At the end of the first dog watch, Nick and Phil braved these treacherous conditions to lay aloft on the mainmast to wrangle the mainsail!
Rockin and rolling, Youthies (the newest salty sea dogs) Hugh, Bridget, and Nick!!
