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Captain's Log
Nov-16
13 July 2016
Day 2 – At Anchor Apostle Bay
Hi Everyone,
Welcome to Day 2 of our Voyage.
Our new Youth Crew were awoken by Sail Master Kyle at 0630 to participate in an early morning activity (Knights and Cavaliers) and to witness a spectacular Whitsunday morning.
Breakfast followed then the Youth Crew were mustered on the port side of the bridge and introduced to the traditional ceremony of colours (raise flags and sing National Anthem) and a slightly longer than normal morning brief. Once completed, it was straight into a harness and fall arrest system safety briefs which was followed by first climbs of the foremast with all of the Youth Crew successfully making it to the topgallant yard (highest yard).Lunch followed then everyone turned too at cleaning stations giving the ship a thorough clean (a clean ship is a happy ship) that why we call this period of the day ‘happy hour’. At 1330 we weighed anchor and proceeded out into the Whitsunday Passage where in moderate 14-17kt SSE winds we conducted a good two hours of sail setting and furling drills before completing our first set of tacks as a crew.
On completion of our final tack all sail was handed in and then we transited under main engines through the narrow passage between Hook and Whitsunday Islands around to Whitsunday Islands Apostle Bay coming safely to anchor at 1920.The time is now 2100 and the Youth Crew are currently learning how to conduct engineering rounds and once completed Adam the Navigator will give everyone a brief on how to keep the ship safe whilst at anchor prior to settling into anchor watches overnight. Originally we had planned to start sailing north tonight but a number of the Youth Crew asked if they could visit Whitehaven Beach prior to departing the Whitsunday’s so we thought that we would try and achieve this tomorrow prior to commencing our passage north.
Until tomorrow evening, take care.
Yours Aye
Captain Gav
Latitude/Longitude:
20 13 S / 149 00 E
Conditions:
Currently at anchor in Apostle Bay and enjoying light SSE winds with nil swell and the temperature is 18 degrees.
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Ahoy there dear readers, this penultimate day of the voyage began in Carnarvon Bay, Port Arthur, in a snug anchorage in the lee of the ISLE OF THE DEAD-ed-ed-ed-ed (wow spooky echo!).
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We continued on across Storm Bay then ducked into the D'Entrecasteaux Channel for a wee look, all the while youth crew conducted happy hour, rope races and end of voyage debriefs with their Watch Leaders. It was shortly after lunch that we made a bee-line for Hobart town and then did berth alongside Princes Wharf at Salamanca for a couple of hours. During this time we took on fuel and victuals for the next voyage (as the youth crew before them had done for us #payitforward) and youthies had a leg stretch ashore.
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Then there was cake to celebrate the ships 35th year in service to the youth of Australia. On this day (January 25th) back in 1988 the delivery crew hauled down the British Red Ensign and Union flag, and then hoisted the Australian National Flag and the Royal Australian Navy's Australian White Ensign, in the presence of the then Prince of Wales, now King Charles III and the late Diana, Princess of Wales. It truly was and still is, an amazing gift that keeps on giving. And so it has been a very special day indeed...
10 Days ago 22 youth crew from places various, came together to sail this vessel, have fun and challenge themselves. They have not only done that, but have faced and overcome fears and learnt a lot about themselves and each other along the way. Tomorrow they will leave with new skills, improved persistence, resilience and adaptability, as well as generally knowing they are more capable than what they previously thought. And of course, having made great new friends - most probably, friends for life. It never gets old for us staff members, as we truly love our work.
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Day 9 – Command Day Part 2
CLOG (Captains log) nine kicks off in the blur of an intense night: ALL HANDS TO TACKING STATIONS!
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Signing off,
Gemma and Henry
Shout-out: Hi Fam! I hope you’re all well, and ready to be bombarded with photos and stories of this adventure of mine for a very long time. I will see you all soon - Gemma
Shout-out: Hi Mum and Dad, I presume you’re still reading the clogs (Capt. Charlie Farley’s lexical invention, by the way), so here I am. Command day was really fun, and the whole trip has been such a great and varied experience. I hope your trip is going great. See you soon. - Henry
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Ahh Command Day. The day where staffies stress in secret, and leaders arise amongst the Youthies acquainted with the high seas merely days before. The pinnacle, high point of Young Endeavour, yet the lowest anyone has seen the TWS (true wind speed).
Phase One of Command Day kicked off in civilised fashion, with democratic elections being held aiming to assign Youthies to critical roles. When the dust settled, Young Endeavour emerged with an eager and spritely new command team, consisting of Captain Nick, Sail Empress Louise, Watch Officer Keely, and Navigator Liam. Dylan, Dean, and Liz also took the helm as Watch Leaders, with Gemma, Grace and Freya donning the aprons as chefs.
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Cya Later.
Shout out: Hello to all my friends from moot, wider scouting, Leeuwin and Windeward Bound. Love to my family in Perth and I hope you’ve not rented out my room yet. - Aeryn
Shout out: Hi family!! I’m not sure if you guys are even reading these little updates/blogs but part of me is hoping you are. It’s been wild on this Voyage, in a good way though! I can’t wait to tell you all about it. I miss you guys heaps every day! Take care of yourselves and I’ll see you all soon! – Sending my Love x. - Freya