Day 19 – Arrived Canakkale

Hi Everyone,Welcome to day 19 of our voyage. Tonight writing the Captains Log is our wonderful Doctor Tenille who has taken such good care of all of us during the 4 months that we have been away. Sadly Tenille’s time onboard is coming to an end as she leaves the Ship at the end of Voyage 3 and heads back to another Navy job. I can speak on behalf of all the Staff when I say she will be greatly missed as we have loved every minute that she has been onboard.Please enjoy tonight’s edition of Captain’s Log wonderfully written by our loveable Doctor Tenille.Until tomorrow, take careYours AyeCaptain GavHello and welcome to day 19 of Voyage 3, day 123 for me. Tonight my esteemed captain has allowed me the privilege of writing the Captain’s Log. This is usually done by World Voyagers, but tonight you’ll gain a small insight into life on board Young Endeavour from a staff crew perspective…or rather, the ship’s doctor’s perspective.This morning we woke to a cold, grey, drizzly day sailing through the Dardanelles, past Gallipoli Point to our mooring point off Cannakale. We spent the day hard at work making the ship presentable for the upcoming ANZAC commitments. After a thorough Happy Hour the seasoned tall ship sailors who joined us in Cadiz – the World Voyagers – lay aloft the foremast to harbour furl the square sails. The sail allocated to each watch was decided by the end result of rope races after one final heated round. Congratulations to Blue Watch on placing a close first!Being so close to Gallipoli and only days from the 100th anniversary of ANZAC has cast a reflective air across Young Endeavour since our arrival this morning. Many of the World Voyagers have personal connections to ANZAC, and having the opportunity to experience where it all beganI think for many is still intangible. I am sure that in the days to come there will evolve many moments of realisation that the sacrifice made here so many years ago has allowed us so many freedoms, and the true importance of the contribution made by our servicemen and women over the years. As a Royal Australian Navy officer this is particularly poignant for me…as it is with the other Navy staff onboard. But for me this is not only a place to reflect on our military history and how my personal contribution can hope to do justice to the uniform I wear, but it also represents the end of a life-changing personal journey: my part of the Young Endeavour world voyage.My voyage started many months ago I was at a group dinner and had a chance encounter with a lovely guy called Matt who started telling us all about his job as Training Officer on the Young Endeavour, and how they were about to do this amazing trip around the world. I responded with ‘Wow, that’s awesome, I want to come!’ to which he replied: ‘Well we need a doctor, you should come.’Six months later here I am, having sailed from Sydney to Wellington, around Cape Horn, to Ushuaia and Buenos Aires, Rio for Carnivale, crossed the equator, on to the Cape Verde Islands, the Canary Islands and Spain, through the Strait of Gibraltar, driven the ship through the Messina Strait between Italy and Sicily and part of the Corinth Canal in Greece, and now sailing towards Gallipoli for the 100th anniversary of ANZAC. I’ve climbed to the t’gallant yard in 45 knot winds (twice), got my Masterchef on in the galley, learnt to navigate (they call me the navidoctor), swam in the Atlantic Ocean, rolled the ship to 50 degrees in the Southern Ocean, acquired some excellent bosunry skills and seen a blue whale. And I’ve done all of this with some of the most incredible people I have ever met. I joined the Navy during medical school because I thought it would be an adventure, but sailing a brigantine half way around the world was certainly not what I had anticipated!I joined the ship for the World Voyage technically as the doctor, but realistically as the full-time watch leader and part-time assistant chef, assistant navigator, helmsman, apprentice bosun and Christmas reindeer. Thankfully my well-honed medical skills have been in short demand for World Voyagers. Less so for staff who have provided me with a decent amount of suturing practice (Lindsey, Shaun and Aaron you are welcome). It has been a steep but fantastic learning curve from the day we sailed and will be until the day I leave.Being on this ship for 123 days has had its moments, but at the end of the day I stand on the fo’c’sle watching another brilliant sunset on the horizon with the cool sea breeze on my face, reflecting on what being a staff member on Young Endeavour means, and reaffirm to myself that I have the best job in the navy. We not only get to sail this beautiful ship to amazing places, but we get to do so with some of the most remarkable, enthusiastic, loveable humans I have ever met – the Youth of Australia. For us, facilitating 24 eager individuals on their journey through weeks on the ship learning about sailing, each other, and most importantly themselves, is rewarding beyond description.Incredible as our job is, it can be challenging for us as staff. Most of us have been on board since the ship sailed from Sydney with very little respite after months of preparation. The long days keeping watches, doing our own work in between, planning, debriefs, meetings and battling the elements, cold and fatigue with very little down time, as well as being away from loved ones for many months, can become physically and emotionally draining at times. The World Voyagers sometimes seem to think that we are superhuman, but we too feel the seasickness, the homesickness and the cold, the frustration of having everything in our cupboards rearranged with every tack and the daily personal debates regarding whether to drink the last can of Coke now or save it until tomorrow. We have all left behind husbands, wives, fiancés, families, offspring and pets (I love you Moo) for periods of between 4 and 12 months, and to them we are eternally thankful for your unwavering support. Please know, loved ones, that we are being looked after and loved by our new shipmates, as the lovely Sian eloquently stated in her final Captain’s Log on Voyage 2. So, World Voyagers, we do sympathise with the daily battles faced by all on board, but after four months we have all learnt that sometimes when you are thrown across the staff mess onto the Captain’s lap, you just have to laugh and appreciate the fact that both of your brews are still intact.Despite the occasional frustration the wonderful people I work with never fail to keep smiling and pouring every ounce of energy they have into their work. This ship is beautiful and powerful and magical, but it’s the staff who really make it. I have the honour of working with some of the most dedicated, passionate, professional, skilled and all around incredible people the Navy has to offer, and they are all here for a reason. They all care deeply about youth development, and about making this experience the very best it can be for every one of the individuals that sails with us. Without every one of them, this world voyage would not be what it is. To individually mention each of my amazing colleagues would require typing space that I’m not afforded by this log, but suffice to say that each and every one of them have become like family and many will remain my very dear friends (Sisterhood forever x). Thank you, all of you.For me one of the biggest challenges, but also one of the most enjoyable, worthwhile experiences of my life, was my role as White Watch Leader on Voyage 2. I stepped onto this ship on December 22 with exactly two sailing experiences under my belt, both on my old Cairns housemate’s 18 foot hoby cat, Mr Tint. On our first voyage we lost both rudders, employed Serge (said housemate) as the rudder, and ended up stranded at night on a deserted beach. Our second voyage on Mr Tint resulted in a rescue from the Careflight Helicopter after 4 hours in the ocean 3 miles out to sea. So here I was 2 months into the world voyage not only having learnt how to sail a tall ship, but being trusted with teaching a watch of eight incredible individuals with such wonderful and varied life experiences, half of them older than my 26 year old self, how to sail her as well. In Captain Gav’s defence, he was unaware of my sailing resume when detailing me to this position.Watch leading is one of the most excellent jobs I’ve ever had. For 46 days I spent 8-12 hours plus per day with my watch explaining the ins and outs of sail handling, ropework, navigation and seamanship, how to keep the ship safe by conducting hourly rounds and keeping lookouts, climbing to cast loose gaskets or sea furl or just to watch the sunset together, having deep intelligent conversations (some) or talking rubbish (many). My lovely watch spent 46 days learning things about themselves that they perhaps never would have without this experience, which is sort of what Young Endeavour is all about, but what I don’t think they realised is that it was as much a learning and growing experience for me as it was for each of them. What an honour, to be put in a position to facilitate the enthusiasm in others. These eight people had a huge, very positive impact on my life in a lot of ways, and for this I will always be infinitely grateful. Thank you, White Watch, from the bottom of my salty heart. Life is always about challenging ourselves and discovering new things, no matter what our role or position or our previous experiences. We can always learn something new and occasionally surprise ourselves.Sadly, I will leave the ship in a few days in Canakkale and return home to prepare for my next deployment on HMAS Melbourne. I fear I will have to re-learn how to be in the real Navy instead of the Young Endeavour Navy where shoes are optional, the Captain folds my washing and my uniform is a delightful mix of sea boots, tights, shorts, beanie and polo shirt.So here I depart the magnificent entity that is Young Endeavour, but not without a lifetime of memories, experiences and personal growth acquired over just a few short months and an unmoveable determination for this not to be the last the old girl will see of me. I’ve always thought that the ship is not only the hull and the deck and the masts and the sails that make her, but the energy left behind by everyone who has had the privilege of being part of her crew. When I leave, I leave behind a small piece of me, just as a small part of her will remain always a part of who I am. I only hope that the World Voyagers who have sailed with us so far, and will sail with Young Endeavour in the future, will look back with such fondness.I will leave you with one of my favourite poems, The Winds of Fate, which very much reflects what the Young Endeavour experience, for me, is all about.One ship drives east and another drives west,on the selfsame winds that blow,tis the set of the sails and not the galeswhich tells us the way to go.Like the winds of the seas are the ways of fateas we voyage along through life,tis the set of the soul that decides its goaland not the calm nor the strife.And another of my favourites.“Are you a doctor who sails, or a sailor who does doctoring sometimes?I think you are a sailor who does doctoring sometimes.†– Mac.Fair winds,The sailor who does doctoring sometimes.Tenille”
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Currently at a mooring at Cannakale and enjoying light and variable winds with nil swell, current temperature is 12 degrees.Â
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Hi Everyone, Welcome to Day 9 of our voyage. Following a busy night of sail plan changes and early morning tacks the Youth Crew made their final waypoint at 0945 this morning which was a major achievement having safely sailed the ship all the way from Prosser Bay to the entry to Port Arthur. On achieving their final waypoint the Staff Crew took over and conducted a pilotage into Port Arthur coming safely to anchor at 1045. Once at anchor the Youth Crew set about completing the rest of their outstanding tasks prior to handing the ship back to the Staff Crew at 1300. With Command Day successfully completed the Youth Crew were ferried ashore early this afternoon where they completed the Command Day Debrief with all agreeing that it had been a challenging and rewarding experience. To finish the afternoon’s activities the Youth Crew were given a guided tour of the Historical Port Arthur Settlement before returning to the ship for another one of Chef Haydon’s fantastic dinners. That’s enough from me I will now handover to Jade, Lochie and Sophie who have done a wonderful job of writing tonight’s Log. Until tomorrow, take care. Captain Gav The last 13 hours of Command Day proved to be very chaotic. We started the day at sea with unideal sailing weather – cold and dark with minimal winds. From 0001, we continued our course from Orford to our final way point of Port Arthur whilst keeping our usual overnight watches. On the guts, Red Watch successfully tacked the ship without needing to wake up anyone else – a mighty fine feat! The Whiteys (On ya Whitey’s!!) and the Blueys also had hectic watches setting and furling many, many sails. Then began the 0530 tacks… All youthies were up before the sun to the call of “Attention all Youthies - all hands to tacking stations. Standby to tack the ship!” over the pipes. Within 6 minutes, all youthies were harnessed and up on deck ready to execute our first tack to attempt passing the notoriously difficult to sail, Tasman Island. After a successful tack, and after a big few hours, brekky was an essential! Master Chefs Aria, Anna and Tiff cooked up a storm worth stowing (in our bellies!) of pancakes, waffles and a feast of fruits which fuelled us for the rest of Command Day and the rest of the Command Day tasks that lay ahead. At 0605, we caught the first light of day touching the tops of the Tasman Island cliffs off our starboard side – ahhh what a sight to see! After another two tacks to set us on our final bearing to Port Arthur, the Youthie Command Crew held an awesome, but a little sleep deprived, morning brief featuring some naughty nautical yarns, nefarious nav brief - “sunscreen or die, hydrate or die”, and the one and only woman who makes the sea seasick, Captain Paige, with the inspiring quote “If you believe in yourself, then you’ve already done half the work”. By 1015 we had successfully made it to our final way point at Port Arthur! We weighed anchor and ate a delicious Aussie-themed barbeque lunch cooked by our awesome master chefs before jumping into Chucky’s favourite hour of the day – Happy Hour! This was then followed by the Captain’s Hand-over Ceremony where the ship was returned to the staffies in a somewhat pristine condition. Keen to get ashore, the youthies jumping in the sea boats to speed ashore for a guided tour of Port Arthur where we learned lots about the historic values of the area and the tragedies that were experienced during the 1800s. Back on the boat, the Staffies held a Command Day debrief where we achieved almost 2 handed thumbs-up for all our completed tasks. A fantastic achievement for the Youthie Crew of V03/23!! With the fantastic Haydo back in the kitchen, we were in for an infamous meal of chicken Penang curry, baked salmon, steak and roasted vegetables followed by golden syrup dumplings with butterscotch syrup sauce and ice cream. Jeez he spoils us! Also a shoutout to my not-so-little, little brother, Hugh. You’re going to love V04/23 mate! Good luck squeezing into your bunk ;) xoxo Lochie. We can’t wait to see what tomorrow has in store! This is Jade, Lochie, and Sophie signing off!!

Hi Everyone, Welcome to Day 8 of our voyage and Command Day. Thankfully the weather improved overnight and a well rested Youth Crew awoke to a beautiful Tasmanian morning with clear skies. Following Morning Brief I conducted Captain Setting and Furling Drills which is our final activity leading up to the Youth Crew taking command of the ship and I am pleased to announce that all watches passed with flying colours. Once completed, the Youth Crew Command Team were given 30 minutes with the Staff Crew so that they could ask questions that may assist them in their elected positions throughout their Command period. Once finished we rigged the rope swing and gave everyone a chance to have a swim in the cool (some would say cold) clear water of Prosser Bay. At 1300 this afternoon we all gather at midships and I handed over the Command Day instructions and the ‘telescope of challenge’ to Youth Crew Captain Paige which officially commenced the exciting 24hr Command Day period. One of the many tasks for Command Day is the writing of the Captains Log so here is tonight’s edition written by Captain Paige. Until tomorrow, take care. Captain GavHello all, Today’s events were very exciting for all youth crew, as today is the day the staff hand over the ship and let the youthies take control. The day for us youthies started by the staff woke us all up to Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marring Aye and Timmi Terrell through the main broad cast. We then had a scrumptious breakfast of bacon, eggs, mushrooms, cereal, yogurt and toast. Which was provided to us by the amazing Haydo and the master chef’s Tiff, Jasper and Jack. Breakfast was followed by morning brief where we are informed of the weather conditions, the Captain always provides us with an inspirational daily quote, and what the daily plan is going to look like. Once morning brief was wrapped up red and white watch performed happy hour while blue watch performed the Captains setting and furling. This allows the staff crew to insure all the youthies are safe and capable to take command of the ship. Once all the watches rotated though performing the Captains setting and furling the elected youth crew sat down and conducted opposites which is where the staff command team discus with the youth crew the best way to go about performing the roles they are taking over for the 24 hour period. Since it was such a nice day the staff decided we do Swimex which is where staff and youth crew that are brave enough to conure the cold water temperatures of Tassie are allowed a short period of time to have some water fun this includes jumping off the rope swing, using the Lilly pad which is a large foam mat jumping off the side of the boat and the bow sprit. When the Swimex came of a close it was time for lunch which was pasta bake, Bolognese, lamb and Pork chops, cheese and garlic breads which were freshly made that morning by Haydo. Hand over to youth crew was conducted at 1300. During the 24hrs that the youth crew have control of the ship the staff go on holiday down stairs where they have access to a bowling alley, cinema, and Maddie opens the heated swimming pool along with other amazing facilities. Part of hand over the Captain, what given a sheet of 30 tasks that we need to perform as many as we can throughout the period of time we are given. The first task was to assemble a row boat team to row to shore to acquire the navigation instructions, other tasks includes creating a rope hammock that will support all the youth crew at once, Theresa’s knot tying challenge and many more exciting and challenging things. Once the navigator marked out waypoints we weighed anchor and set sail though Mercury Passage. We are now carrying out night watches and on our way to the next anchoring spot which is unknown as of the moment. Until the next log update Yours truly Captain Paige

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