Day 10 – Command Day, Sydney Harbour, and a VIP

Ahoy Shipmates…well that’s all she wrote. A very busy and successful voyage is drawing to a close. After a very successful Command Day (not without the odd hiccup) we arrived safely in Sydney Harbour early this morning with a weary but content Youth Crew…good job! I’ll leave it to ex-Captain Michael to fill in the details of the day. Tomorrow we bid farewell to this fine bunch of Young Australians and wish them every success…I think they’ve had fun! Til next time, fair winds…Captain Kenny

Captains Log 28 Oct 18
Hours on the Young Endeavour- 216
Days without WiFi- 9
Years of memories- Infinite
The sails were set, we were on course, making good time. When all is looking well disaster struck when the wind did a 180 and started sending us north. We had 0 boat speed and were heading back north again, not a good place to be. We decided to wake the entire crew to furl, reset the Jib to get some speed, and weared the ship back on course. Unfortunately we were going to miss our waypoint by an hour so we headed straight for Sydney, anchoring in at about 4am.
Upon waking in Sydney we kicked off a quick morning huddle at 6 to prepare everyone for the day. Getting straight into happy hour made it not quite the happiest of hours although we knew we had to get the ship in order for our visit from the Minister of Defence Personnel and Veteran Affairs. After the not so happy hour we cheered everyone up with PANCAKE DAY, putting the smiles back on everyone just in time for our special guest.
Our minister arrived at about 8:30 where I had a good talk to him and then showed him around the Young Endeavour whilst he had a chat to the rest of the crew onboard. We had our mural being drawn, youthies tying gaskets, polishing the canons and others learning ropes. The tour went very smoothly and was an honour to be a part of showing him a around the vessel.
After the minister was on his way we got stuck straight into our morning brief, having appearances from our youth Nav and soggy (saltyâ€™s estranged adopted brother) telling tales about where â€œsalt in the woundsâ€ came from. After that we had our Captain Michaels Marvellous Mysteries and an inspirational quote.
We didnâ€™t stop there in picking everyoneâ€™s heads up as we got the speakers pumping for a disco in the 12 berth, squeezing everyone in there for a 3 song party. We had our â€œLife skillsâ€ educational briefs after that learning much about dogs, how to not upset a retail worker, and about confidence.
We handed the ship back to Kenny where I had a short speech of how proud I am of everyone on board. Half glad the pressure is off half going to miss the responsibility.

We headed ashore at Double Bay to finish off our voyage debrief. Going through what goals we set out at the start and if/how we achieved them, what we learnt from the Young Endeavour, how it changed us, and how different things will be once we get back home.
After having our coffee and chat about our experiences we had our final round of Ropies. At the start red out in front by 2, blue behind at 7 Â½ and white at 6. A close finish with anyone having a chance at the grand prize. Blue watch (the best one) pulling out in front by the skin of their teeth to win the Young Endeavour Ropies Challenge, the prize, sitting on the Top Gallant sail as we dock tomorrow. It was also good because itâ€™s the smallest easiest sail to harbour for our watch. It should be a fantastic way to end the voyage.
Knocking over our command day debrief was a great way to reflect on how we went as a team, and I believe from our results we did a pretty great job, communication was good between Watch officers to watch leaders and down to the crew. A few things we could have improved on but overall a great result.
Ending off the night with a slideshow and poem to really bring our voyage to a closure.
Once again this has been the most fantastic and unforgettable life changing experience that I could never forget. I wish all the staff crew the best of luck with their future voyages.
â€œits not about the destination, its about the journeyâ€ â€“ Barrack Obama
Goodbye for now and I would wish to see you all on the high seas another time.

– Captain Payne

Latitude/Longitude:

33 52s / 151 14e

Conditions:

Wind: Light and Variable Weather: Overcast Swell: Nil Location: Sydney Harbour

AUTHOR: Commanding Officer STS Young Endeavour

You might also be interested in

V04/24

19 February 2024

Day 11 – Last Day of the Voyage

Good morning Shipmates, Sailmaster Sara's final Wakey Wakey song was pumped through the Ship’s speakers to jar the crew of YE from their deep slumber after a particularly tiring day of the Community Day Sail. Activities included end-of-voyage chats for the watches, harbour furling the square sails, eating as much home made pizza, cooked by master chef Ash, as we possibly could and knocking over final command day tasks including the Slide Show. It was up on deck for a quick head count to make sure everyone was out of their ‘racks’ and ready for their final day onboard. Breakfast was followed by the morning brief on the plan for the day and then the Staff Crew weighed anchor and got us underway while the Youth Crew laid aloft for a quick harbour cruise. Navigator Seb piloted the Ship from our Athol Bay anchorage, past Fort Dennison under the Harbour Bridge, where we fired the Ship’s saluting cannon, and then into Balls Head Bay to our berth. We berthed at HMAS Waterhen at 1000 to the warm welcome of friends and family of the Youthies, waiting on the wharf for us. Once we had secured the ship alongside we invited our guests onboard, allowed them a walk around the ship to see where the Youthies had lived and worked for the last eleven days, and then we gathered everyone at midships. Sail Master Sara spoke about our adventures during the voyage and then I presented the Voyage Completion certificates to the youth crew and the Young Endeavour Award to Liv for her outstanding hard work on in undertaking the voyage and her dedication to helping her fellow youth crew members to achieve their voyage goals. We then farewelled the Youth Crew of V04/24 after a fantastic challenging and enjoyable voyage. Thank you for following our adventures and hope you enjoyed hearing about them. Yours, aye, Captain Mike

V04/24

19 February 2024

Day 10 – Community Day Sail Sydney Harbour

Good evening shipmates, After a well-earned quality night’s sleep at anchor in Hunters Bay, Sail Master Sara woke us with another of her soothing tunes to get us on deck for a quick early morning activity. After breakfast the staff crew weighed anchor and conducted the transit to HMAS Waterhen, at Waverton. We berthed there at 0900 and prepared to embark our guests for the Community Day Sail. At 1015 we cast off our berthing lines and departed with our 34 guests and commenced our 3 hour tour of the harbour. Our Community Day Sailors were a group 30 members and staff from the Windgap Foundation. We also embarked some defence personnel as well. We again passed under the Harbour Bridge and then proceeded into Rose Bay where we set some sails and commenced sailing back towards Waterhen. Whilst on the harbour our fantastic youth crew helped us host our Windgap special guests. They encouraged our guests to participate in setting the staysails and a square sail by helping to pull on the sheets and clewlines. The youth crew also helped Chef Ash to prepare and deliver the food to our guests on deck. At 1300, after 3 fun-packed hours on the harbour, we berthed back at the southern wharf at HMAS Waterhen. Once we had farewelled our guests it was time to commence our end-of-voyage activities and preparations. The staff crew managed to organise a visit to the RAN Ship MATV Sycamore, which is crewed by a mixture of civilians and Navy staff, is a multi-role aviation training vessel. The youth crew embarked with their watch leaders and were given a 45 minute tour of the ship by some of the Navy crew. On completion they returned onboard and Young Endeavour sailed and proceeded to our anchorage in Athol Bay, which affords a great view of the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. During the transit to the anchorage the Youthies undertook their end-of-voyage chats, facilitated by their watch leaders, to examine if they had achieved everything in their full-value contracts they had completed at the start of the voyage. After the traditional last voyage dinner of home made pizzas, Sara gave the Youthies the Harbour Furl brief, who then donned their climbing harnesses and laid aloft to undertake the ‘Harbour Furl’ of the square sails to make them look immaculate for our ceremonial arrival at the end of the voyage tomorrow. Once that was completed, the youth crew then finished off their final outstanding Command Day tasks, which were planned for the last night onboard. These included the Voyage Slide Show compiled of photos taken by everyone. This was excellent and provided a touching reminder of what we had experienced and the beautiful coastlines and islands that we had visited during the voyage. The final activity of the day was the end-of-voyage administration, which for the youth crew included a feedback questionnaire asking for feedback on their experience of the voyage, as well as a letter for each crew member to write to themselves on their experiences during the voyage, which the Young Endeavour Youth Scheme will post to the youth crew in 6 months time. The aim of this is to help reinforce what the youth crew have learned about leadership, teamwork and about themselves from the experience of the voyage. Once these were completed the crew were encouraged to go to bed. The Ship will remain in Athol Bay overnight and weigh anchor and sail in the morning at 0900 and undertake the transit to HMAS Waterhen, where family and friends will meet the Ship on arrival at 1000. Until you hear from me tomorrow for the final instalment of Voyage 04/24. Yours aye, Captain Mike

V04/24

19 February 2024

Day 9 – Command Day Part 2

Ahoy from Sydney! For today’s Captain’s Log: the Youthies took over and completed several tasks including singing the national anthem in three different tunes as well as giving salty sea facts to start the day in a nautical way. We finally made it! After a long and weary effort of the command team and watches, we were able to fully sail into Sydney Harbour. At approximately 11:50 we anchored in Hunters Bay. To celebrate we had a groovtastic disco in the 12 berth due to excessive rainfall but the youthies made it work, having a blast dancing to Billie Jean. Afterwards, the youthies as well as the staff reflected on our efforts during command day, following the handover of the ship to the Staffies, where we highlighted what we did well, what we could improve on and what lessons we can take back to our normal lives, of which there are many. Continuing on from the previous log, with command day still ongoing. We encountered multiple problems. One of which being that mother nature didn’t bless us and gave us little to no wind to work with. However with the efforts of the Youthies we were able to successfully gather up to 8 knots of speed after a 4am tack in which the youthies persevered despite a lack of sleep enabling us to make our way into Sydney. Before our reflection the Youthies finished their day strong with a ‘Happy Hour’ cleaning session and one final dance. The afternoon was spent relaxing and recharging from ‘Command Day’, going aloft and furling the square sails. For dinner, Ash prepared a barbecue with steak, sausages, chicken kebabs with buns and an assortment of salads with a delicious chocolate cake for dessert. The Youthies are looking forward to the Community Day Sail tomorrow which will be a great opportunity to give back to Australia and put our sailing knowledge to the test. We have learned many lessons during ‘Command Day’, we pushed ourselves out of our comfort zone and together a crew of 24 youth were able to sail a tall ship into the harbour of Sydney. Today’s score: 9 camels and a donkey (Amazing) Until next time Rock on! Tarvi, Kaeden and Matt. P.S. Happy Birthday for tomorrow little bro, love Lil xx P.S.S. Kai, sorry I didn’t do the thing for Meg. I just remembered and will do it when back.

Thank you Tarvi, Kaeden and Matt for your narrative of today's events. Intentions are to remain at anchor in Hunters Bay, just off HMAS Penguin, home of the RAN Diving School, a place close to my heart, having spent many a day there under training as a young Officer! The plan is to weigh anchor and proceed to HMAS Waterhen, in Waverton, to pick up our Community Day Sailors from the Windgap Foundation and take them for a sail around the harbour for 3 hours. The Youth Crew will help us host our visitors and give them an experience of Young Endeavour. We will drop them back to Waverton and then proceed to anchor in the harbour where we will have a good view of the Bridge and the Opera House for the Youth Crew's last night onboard. Until tomorrow. Yours Aye, Captain Mike

THE VOYAGE

Latest Captain’s Log

BEFORE YOU APPLY

Apply for Financial Assistance

FOR GUARDIANS

Youth Safety & Mental Health

FOR ORGANISATIONS

Scholarships for Local Youth

ABOUT US

The Young Endeavour Youth Scheme

OUR COMMUNITY

Make a Donation

Day 10 – Command Day, Sydney Harbour, and a VIP

Latitude/Longitude:

Conditions:

You might also be interested in

Ready to set sail?

More Information

Donations

Contact Us

1800 020 444

Keep in Touch

1800 020 444