Day 10 – Final Night of Voyage

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to day 10 of our voyage. It was another early start this morning with a Staff Crew briefing at 0600 followed by weighing anchor and getting underway so that we could achieve our 0900 alongside berth in Cairns.

Once underway we conducted a Youth Crew Morning Brief and a good set of cleaning stations in preparation for our guests. At 0850 we berthed 10 minutes early at the Cairns Marlin Marina Commercial Wharf where we were met by HMAS Cairns Ports Services personnel who ensured that all requested services were provided.

At 0945 we welcomed 23 guests from ARC Disability Services Cairns, 3 representatives from James Cook University and a number of Staff Crew Guests. Following my welcome address and safety brief we departed our berth and transited the short distance down to Trinity Inlet where we conducted a turn at rest, set the topsail and topgallant and commenced a pleasant sail back down the Cairns shipping channel.

We continued this sail for 1.5hrs during which time our guests got to assist with setting of sails, enjoyed some great food and were extremely well hosted by the Youth Crew.

At 1200 we wore ship then transited the 6nm back to the Cairns Marina where we berthed at 1255. Once safely alongside we farewelled our guests then the Youth Crew went ashore with their Watch Leaders to some local cafes where they conducted end of voyage chats then on their return to the ship they proceeded aloft to put harbour furls on all three squares.

At 1620 we again departed our berth, transited the short distance down to Trinity Inlet where we safely anchored at 1650. During this transit we held the last round of rope races for the voyage and at the end announced the winner of this activity which I believe was White Watch who now get to man the topgallant yard for our final day’s entry into harbour.

This evening we enjoyed another fantastic dinner cooked by Chef Keely and her Masterchef helpers. Once we had cleaned up from dinner we all mustered up on deck to watch a slide show that the Youth Crew had put together which captured various moments and experiences during the voyage. This slide show has become a popular part of the Young Endeavour Program and gives the Youth Crew an opportunity to reflect on the past 10 days and their amazing experiences throughout the voyage.

The rest of this evening has been spent with the Youth Crew completing end of voyage questionnaires and “letters to themselves”, which are returned to each Youth Crew member six months after voyage completion. Whilst the Youth Crew were completing these final administration tasks the Staff Crew took the opportunity to conduct our normal end of voyage debrief.

Tomorrow morning we will start our final day with an early morning activity which hopefully will be in sunshine rather than the rain that we have experienced during most of this voyage. Following breakfast and morning brief the anchor will be weighed and once the Youth Crew have manned the yards we will proceed alongside berthing for the final time for this voyage at Cairns Marlin Marina Sailfish wharf at 1000.

Once alongside family and friends will be invited onboard for a tour of the ship and to witness my final address and the presentation of Certificates of Achievement to all of the Youth Crew. Following this presentation we will say our final emotional farewell to the Youth Crew of Voyage 11/16 as they depart the ship for the final time for this voyage.

Young Endeavour will remain alongside in Cairns until Monday 25 July when she will sail again for Voyage 12-16 which is a Cairns to Cairns voyage. I will be taking a well earned break during this voyage and the Executive Officer Adam will Captain the ship for this voyage.

Until next voyage, take care

Yours Aye

Captain Gav