Day 2 – Into the Tasman Sea

Ahoy dear readers, Day 2 of our voyage began at anchor in Hunters Bay, Sydney today. Sailmaster Evan woke us all up for a 0600 Early Morning Activity on deck and Jarod knocked up some delicious breakie and then we all met again at 0800 to sing the National Anthem as part of our (the Royal Australian Navy’s) traditional Colours ceremony, where we hoisted our colours (Australian National Flag and the Australian White Ensign).

The plan for the day was then hatched before youth crew were introduced to their safety harnesses. Matty our survival and safety equipment expert, taught them all about: donning said harness, conducting buddy checks and the process for laying aloft. Then it was time, ladies and gents, for our young sea puppies to lay aloft for the very first time.

And up the foremast they went, aiming for the topgallant yard and out transversely. Not everyone made it to the top however, but I was a very proud Captain regardless. They all pushed themselves hard to go a little further and then another little push, before laying below. Well done shipmates, it’s a very difficult challenge and you gave it a good old crack.

Back below deck lunch was demolished and then Matty gave them a more thorough safety equipment briefing before weighing anchor at 1450. Sail handling was drilled within Hunters Bay, with setting and furling of the forestaysail and the mainstaysail. Then, when deemed competent, the jib and mainsail were set and we departed Sydney Harbour and out we went into a lumpy Tasman Sea with a 2m southerly swell. Of course there were some green faces folks, but that’s how it goes… and the fish were happy 🙂

Impressively, they cracked on setting the topsail and topgallant as we turned to port, shaping a course to the north east. After dinner, Youth Crew turned-to sea watches involving a 4 hour shift of watch-on-deck duties: helming, lookout and rounds responsibilities, while the other watches slept.

Anyway, it was a fantastic day… well done Youth Crew.

Until tomorrow night, goodnight and sleep tight everybody.

Captain Adam Charlie Farley+

Latitude/Longitude:

Conditions:

Wind 190 @ 20. Swell southerly @ 2m

AUTHOR: Adam Farley

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Brisbane

13 September 2023

Day 10 – Ahoy Brisbane (Meanjin)

We woke up at anchor just across from Tangalooma to the upbeat tunes of Rather Be. A delicious breakfast of pancakes and ice cream lead into a fun new game called Partner Twister. This was followed by an enthusiastic Morning Brief from the Staffies and a particularly detailed Happy Hour. The good ship was soon underway across the picturesque Moreton Bay with the ever-growing Brisbane skyline in the distance. The Youthies were treated to a tasty lunch prepared by the wonderful Chef Ash and the dynamic trio of Master Chefs Wilhelm, Danielle and Thomas. As lunch was wrapping up the Youthies and Staffies were treated to a sail-past encounter with the sail ship South Passage. As voyage debriefs got underway the mood was reflective with many a personal goal being ticked off from each watch’s goal sheet. The Youthies were kept on their toes by occasional calls to tacking stations as the ship neared Brisbane Harbour. A final round of Rope Races ensued involving Zooper Dooper speed eating. With the scores all counted, White watch came out on top of the particularly close competition. Coming to the final berth of the voyage, the Youthies and Staffies combined their efforts, harbour furling the square sails and recovering the ship’s boat. Pizza making and signing handbooks took up the remaining time before dinner with everyone celebrating Ben’s Birthday and looking back on the highlights of the voyage through the slideshow created by Moonie. The night also included important like skills such as ‘How to take a shower on the STS Young Endeavour’, ‘How to work the door shift at K-Mart’ and finally ‘Time Management’, the last being prepared minutes before presentation. As this is the final Youthie contribution to the Captain’s log for Voyage 16/23 I would like to congratulate and thank the Staffies and Youthies for giving their full effort to making this voyage as challenging, enjoyable, empowering and rewarding as it has been for everyone! And to the family members and friends who have been following these logs we all look forward to seeing you again soon! By Elijah and Jessica

Brisbane

12 September 2023

Day 9 – Ahoy Moreton Bay! (Command Day Part 2)

Good morrow our peoples, Ahhh Command Day. What a lovely 24 hours it was!! So peaceful, so smooth, so amazing! Kidding! The weather came in clutch, and made us proper sailors, really hardening those now bullet proof shells on our backs. With watches working around the clock to keep the ship upright and in motion strong winds, harsh rain, and sleepy sailors made for a rough journey, but we made it!! And we are all still alive (a good thing!). We may have missed some way points along the way, but we completed our tasks and navigational course to surpass Staffies standards including an amazing Morning Brief, “chalk mural”, line dance, DIY Hammock, snappy hour and game show. Our very own Cheffos stepped up to create three awesome meals, as well as fulfilling their roles as salty dogs on watch. They created some delicious brownies, which were missed by some as they struggled above decks until well into the night. Morale was kept high though in little laughs here and there through the struggles. After just one night, we were all walking dead. Upon handing over the ship, the Youth Crew could be found cozied up in their bunks, after last nights ‘getting air’ during sleep. We were then awoken from our naps for Rope Races and a nice surprise to see Moreton Island. We then reflected on the good, the not-so-good, and the takeaways from our arduous Command Day, with lessons learned that will stay with us long after our voyage. Jumping straight back to the bonus round of Rope Races, the watches were challenged to an egg drop, with only a limited number of materials at hand. Some eggs survived, and some found themselves with mild concussions. The Whities won, albeit somewhat controversially. “It was legit” they claim. Then a delicious barbeque dinner, with ocean sunset views and a challenging trivia game, with many funky bonus rounds. Allen’s Party Mix won with 48 points all up, but it was fun all round. It’s now past our bedtime, so goodnight for now as we head into anchor watches. By Danielle, Freya and Tayah <3

Brisbane

11 September 2023

Day 8 – Command Day (Part 1)

The big day we’ve all been waiting for is finally upon us – Command Day! With a 0630 start, the Youthies started their day with a quick game of ‘Evolution’ on the deck, before the Staffies delivered a final and enigmatic brief. At 1000 Captain Libby temporarily handed over the STS Young Endeavour to Captain Tayah for 24 hours and gave her, and her Youthie crew, a list of 23 tasks to be completed within this time. The Youthies immediately took to their new jobs, with our Navigator Daegan, Sail master Freya and Captain Tayah moving to the chart house to plan out their new course. Our Cheffies immediately got into action and served a beautiful Italian lunch. Our new Watch Officers & Watch Leaders worked to evaluate the strengths of the crew and empowered them to come together to plan out a course of action for completing our tasks well and truly on time. At 1230 the Youthies reported to climb the foremast and take a few grand photos, before mustering below decks. While Tom, Henry & Ben came together to plan out and deliver our inaugural game show, Angus & Wilhelm designed and completed our deck hammock – which proved capable of holding the weight of the entire Youth Crew! Shortly after we came back down to the cafeteria to participate in our first game show, which was a resounding success with a room full of laughs & thumbs up from our panel of Staffie judges. Called in for a briefing at 1530 – Our navigator briefed the Youthies on the charted course & plan for the next day. After weighing anchor, the Youthies mustered midships to set sails and depart from our anchorage on the Sunshine Coast. However, out patron Gaia would not see the Youthies get through their big day unchallenged. After a very quick Mexican dinner Youthies mustered dauntlessly on deck in wet weather gear to face the heavy winds and rain suddenly sent in to challenge us. After setting, furling and trimming sails – the White watch takes the first watch into a night of unknown challenges & adventures. - Youthies Moony (aka Declan) & Angus

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Day 2 – Into the Tasman Sea

Captain Adam Charlie Farley+

Latitude/Longitude:

Conditions:

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