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Day 1 – Welcome Aboard, Athol Bay…and the Sounds of the Zoo!
Ahoy shipmates…normal transmission has resumed! We have spent the last 5 weeks since Voyage 3/21 giving the old girl a little TLC (maintenance) and she is looking quite sprightly. We have now commenced our northern deployment and over the coming months will make our way north to Cairns and return…fingers crossed. First leg…Sydney to Newcastle. Under clearing skies the 16 youth crew of voyage 4/21 joined us at HMAS Waterhen at 1500 this afternoon…a diverse and enthusiastic bunch at first impression. After their gear was stowed we gathered at midships for the acknowledgement of country, welcome brief and introductions. At 1550 we departed our berth and made our way to our overnight anchorage in Athol Bay, near Taronga Zoo. On the way we passed under the Harbour Bridge and past the Opera House…have to say the view from our anchorage is pretty spectacular, particularly at night. Athol Bay is one our favourite spots around the harbour. Once safely at anchor the youth crew completed ice-breakers and ship’s tours, and settled into their home for the next 10 days. Dinner was spectacular as always…thanks Chef Keely…and then it was into the Engineer, Sailmaster and Captain’s brief…basically the fixer, the program director, and the motivational speaker…or something along those lines. We also took custody of mobile phones…time to disconnect for while! As I write our resident safety expert Bobby is giving a detailed safety brief, highlighting the location and use of safety equipment onboard, after which the youth crew will be handed over to their watch leaders for an intro to line handling and to complete their ‘full value contracts’…goals and challenges for voyage. Hopefully we will have them in their racks (bunks) by around 2200…they will need a good night’s sleep for the always busy day 2, and challenge number 1…climbing to the top of the foremast. We intend departing Sydney Harbour around mid afternoon tomorrow and, looking at the weather forecast, will most likely make our way south to the beautiful Jervis Bay before heading north. That’s about it for now, but before I go, the staff crew for Voyage 4/21…Captain – Kenny (Cap K), Sailmaster – Reggie, Assistant Sailmaster – Rio, Navigator – Jemma, Watch Officer – Jordo, White Watch Leader – Bobby, Red Watch Leader – TJ, Blue Watch Leader – Phoebe, Engineer – Reggie, Chef – Keely. Until tomorrow, fair winds, Captain Kenny.
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Wind: NE at 3 knots Weather: Fine Sea: Calm Location: At anchor Athol Bay (near Taronga Zoo).
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Ahoy followers of our Young Endeavour journey! Command Day. We made it.
The beautiful weather at our anchor point at Jervis Bay made for a spectacular day under the command of our fellow Youth Crew! A morning stretch and some wise words from the Ship Crew gave Captain Waz and the team a step in the right direction.
With the new watches all set and ready to go, Captain’s Setting and Furling gave all our youthies the chance to prove their abilities on the high seas. Strong performances from all three watches; Sharkies, Chompers and Narwhals!!
Morning brief gave the Sailmaster a chance to give us the daily orders and help get everyone on the same page. With the staff crew getting ready for a holiday and giving us the ship, floral shirts and party music filled the deck and, with some final preparations, the ship was ours.
The Captain was given a small but very significant envelope that contained the essential, non-essential and completely optional tasks to be done over the course of the next 24 hours. 2 tacks were to be made at a minimum before leaving the bay and safety checks were the essential tasks to start our journey. However.
More amusing, optional tasks allowed some of our youthies to become part of the “Beach Assault Team” while others were put to the task of making a slideshow of the voyage, tying all the knots on the list, etc. These were some activities that bided the time for our incredible navigator - Ruscoe to set out a plan and work together with the Sailmaster - Hugh to create a sail plan.
Tacking stations were the focus for our late afternoon, preparing to weigh anchor and leave such a beautiful bay, for our last stretch of this incredible voyage.
Happy Birthday to the Capitan, Warwick, who turned 24 today! The wonderful MasterChef’s created a “cherry ripe” cake out of rice crispies, coconut, chocolate, and love. With a beautiful ceremony to end our day.
Sailing into the night leaves us the ability to see the lights from our destination. Sydney, here we come!
Wish us luck! From Nat and Tom!!
