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Captain's Log
V09/25, Thursday Island to Darwin
5 June 2025
Day 11 – V09/25, Thursday Island to Darwin
Tensions rose as the commencement of Command Day drew closer. At 1pm we gathered at midships for our official handover after which, the ship was in our hands, and the staffies were unusually happy.
For our first task we were faced with the challenge of rowing our dingy to an undisclosed location. From this we were able to get some rather soggy weather reports and navigation requirements. Upon the rowing team’s return we were able to start preparing to weigh anchor.
The Captain’s brief to the crew for the coming 24 hours was both exciting and intimidating, but we had a plan in place, however, the weather had other ideas. Up until 0500 we had next to no wind; this was a large cause for concern regarding our waypoint deadlines.
Huge shoutout to our Navigator Jess for her diligent efforts working around the weather, around the clock. Her tireless efforts paid off as her final plan successfully took us all the way to Darwin! We sailed in with our best sails up, including the Fisherman’s Staysail raised high, which hasn’t been used this much in years!
Command Day was concluded by in-depth discussions and reflections on the past 24 hours. While it challenged us both physically and emotionally, the day led to important insights to guide us for all our future endeavours.
From your best Captain, Sail Master and all-round legend,
Ewan, Lachie, and Siena
Latitude/Longitude:
12 24.233 S / 130 46.720 E
Conditions:
Weather: Sunny Wind: 0-5 KN SE Temp: 28 C
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V18/25
17 October 2025
Day 10 – V18/25, Geelong – Sydney
We hope you’re missing us…because we’re almost home!!!!
The final (full) day has come, and spirits were high at this morning’s Pilates session led by our very own sail master, Kars.
Morning brief started late today as someone was still showering, sending Tornado Matt into an emotionally vulnerable state and our staffies into a spiral over remaining water levels, but they don’t want to talk about it…We were then briefed on the weather that was set ahead of us in the day, sunny skies until the evening with thunderstorms (ooh scary). We got the final part of our YE Greeting from special guest Salty, and some of you might be lucky enough to see it at our closing ceremony tomorrow!
Not long before the sun kicked to full heat, we welcomed 30 people from local communities including the Zen Tea Lounge Foundation, Autism Community Network and NSW Surf Life Saving Club on board our ship to give them the day sail of their life. From playing Uno and learning knots, to putting up sails, the day ended with a fun game led by the assigned group leaders.
After we returned to port and said goodbye to our guests, we started to give the ship a good tidy for its return home. Forming a train to ferry out our frozen food, and getting 16 youth on the square sails to help put on UV covers to protect them from the sun and prepare the ship for its final berthing of the Circumnavigation of Australia.
As our siesta started, many nappers strewn themselves across the deck trying to soak up the sun and family time, battling the heat with litres of sunscreen and surprise zooper doopers.
Once the sails were covered, we toured the bay once more to get to our final anchor point in Athol Bay, Sydney Harbour. Everyone started getting excited at the smell of Kingy cooking up a storm – bounty loads of pizzas keeping us fuelled and happy.
To finish up the night, we all congregated to watch the emotional presentations and speeches of our fellow youthies, a few tears were shed and we all went to bed for the final time of our voyage.
V18/25 out +
Milla and Tash xx
V18/25
16 October 2025
Day 09 – V18/25, Geelong – Sydney
And to the sound of cannons firing in the mist the Young Endeavour sailed into Sydney Harbour this morning for the first time in nearly 7 months! Can you believe us Youthies sailed ourselves all the way into Sydney Harbour!? It feels like a dream!
Day nine arrived with a round of happy birthdays for Youthie watch leader Eli at the midnight watch change where the Bilge Rats handed over to the Sea Cows.
Overnight winds dropped as low as 0.5 knots sending on watch Navigator Jarrah into overdrive figuring out how to get us to Sydney by morning. A few gruelling hours later Nav Jarrah and Capt. Danni set a course that would see the Young Endeavor enter Sydney early the next morning. The whole youth crew worked tirelessly and effectively to do what we could with the wind dealt us. A few uneventful hours followed as we burned some dinosaurs to get to Sydney on time.
Sailing into Sydney Harbour, we were contacted by the 7 News helicopter who congratulated us on our arrival and conclusion of the circumnavigation. They requested a firing round of canons and each Youthie was willing and able to fire their charge.
As we turned through the heads we saw a shroud of fog covering our view of the bay and city, which slowly cleared as the early morning light brightened and burnt it off to reveal the magnificent skyline of the City of Sydney, the Opera House and the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge.
Once at anchor we deep cleaned the ship and enjoyed some well deserved rest, before spending the afternoon reflecting on our journey and just how far we had come. Not only through Command Day but as a crew forged by the trials and tribulations of sailing through Bass Strait and living life at sea.
The final circumnavigation of Australia by this ship has been finished, but there are still plenty of adventure opportunities ahead. The crew are happy to be home, but some are already looking back out at the horizon wondering what the next adventure will bring.
We will leave you with a small poem from Robert E. Howard:
I have anchored my ship to a quiet port;
A land that is holy and blessed
But I look through my bars at the tempest’s sport
And I long for the seas unrest.
- Danni, Ben, Jacq
V18/25
15 October 2025
Day 08 – V18/25, Geelong – Sydney
Ahoy there mateys! Youthies here once again to provide an insight onboard during the toughest day of the voyage, Command Day! Following lasts nights diplomatic elections and insightful documentary that was older than the staffies themselves (thanks Phil), the Youthies headed to bed in anticipation of the challenges ahead.
Our newly elected leadership team ran a morning brief, and the staffies officially decided it was time for a “holiday” and abandoned ship (literally) impressing the Youthies with flips and tricks as they jumped clear over the side of the ship.
HMAS Supply was operating in Jervis Bay and it was so cool to host their Captain and a handful of their amazing crew onboard for a ship tour and to share some warries (tall stories!) about our experience so far. The Supply team then enabled 6 Youthies to take a joy ride on their RHIB, which was an amazing chance to get a taste of speed and power after multiple days of sailing at a snail’s pace.
After a tour around our ship, the navy visitors were eager to escape the smell of a boat not cleaned yet after happy hour (it wasn’t that bad we swear). The newly appointed chefs cooked up a meal of scrumptious spaghetti meatballs with chorizo and grilled chicken wraps (supervised and supported by the one and only legend Kingy)
After eating some scrumptious lunch, we all took turns going through safety checks making sure we know what we are doing with pins and cleats so that we can make it home with 10 fingers and all of our toes!
We weighed anchor at 2pm and headed for the deep blue once again. Next stop Sydney – the final port in the Circumnavigation of Australia 2025 adventure. We felt so privileged to be a part of this final leg of the journey. As the sun set pods of dolphins surrounding the ship and put on an acrobatic display providing us hope in our time of need.
Captain’s quote of the day: “More is lost by indecision than wrong decision”
The Youthies have a long night ahead of them, so send your best wishes and keep us in your prayers!
-Jeremy, Lucy, Reef and Julian
