Day 1 – We’re Back…Yeeha!

Ahoy shipmates…we’re back!!! Cannot begin to describe how excited we all are with the resumption of the voyage program, youth crew and staff crew alike! It goes without saying the last 12 months have been challenging for everyone, but we are now starting to see some light at the end of the tunnel…with the first youth development voyage for 12 months a small but significant step in the right direction. Kudos to the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme, the Young Endeavour staff crew, and the Royal Australian Navy for working together to get to where we are now…off the wharf and going sailing, with 16 motivated young Australians embarked. It doesn’t get much better than this! With the necessary COVID protocols in place, we intend spending the next 10 days following the wind, operating between South West Rocks and Eden…wherever the conditions take us. We will initially be making the most of some southerly breezes and relatively calm seas (is there such a thing for youth crew?) and heading north…square sail action most likely! But to today’s events. Our 16 intrepid young adventurers joined Young Endeavour at HMAS Waterhen (Waverton) at 1500 this afternoon in a light drizzle. Once onboard they stowed their gear below decks and we all gathered under the midships awning for the official welcome and introduction of the staff crew (see below). With the formalities complete our resident survival equipment experts gave a quick safety brief and then at 1600 we departed for our overnight anchorage in Double Bay, passing under the Harbour Bridge and past the Opera House…never gets boring! Once at anchor the youth crew split into their respective watches and were given tours of the ship by their watch leaders, before enjoying a delicious dinner prepared by Chef Adam (We’re gunna get fat again!). At 1830 the Engineer, Sailmaster and Captain’s briefs were delivered, providing some basic guidelines (don’t vomit into the wind!), and encouragement to take every opportunity afforded them over course of the voyage. Leaving with no regrets is the key. Our safety experts returned to give the youth crew a more detailed brief and then it was over to the watch leaders to take their charges through some initial deck work and line handling. The passing showers have persisted, but haven’t dampened spirits onboard. The aim is to have the youth crew in their racks by 1000 for a good night’s sleep…they will need it as Day 2 is always a very busy day…lots to take in, most notably laying aloft (climbing for the landlubbers) to the top of the 33 metre foremast…their first challenge, more to come! We will remain at anchor in Double Bay until late tomorrow afternoon, conducting sail handling drills, before heading out the heads, turning left, and setting some sails…including square sails, and maybe throwing in a series of tacks…woohoo! Before I go, the staff crew for Voyage 01/21 are: Captain – Kenny, Sailmaster – Jemma, Navigators – Jerome and Emma, Watch Officer – Keith, White Watch Leaders – Bobby and Rio, Red Watch Leaders – Phoebe and TJ, Blue Watch Leader – Dan, Engineer – Reggie, Chef Adam. That’s it for now…it’s great to be back doing what we love. Until tomorrow, fair winds…Captain Kenny.