Day 2 – Setting and Furling – and the Green Goblin!

Ahoy Shipnates,
We are at sea! After waking to a beautiful Gladstone morning at 0630 this morning, we conducted a quick game of ‘my name is and I love…’ to get to know each other a little better. It was then time for a hearty breakfast provided by Chef Marcus and showers in preparation for the big day ahead. At 0800 we conducted the traditional Colours Ceremony (raising of flags) accompanied by some enthusiastic singing of the National Anthem. It was then into ‘morning brief’ where Sailmaster Guv gave a rough outline of the day’s program, Engineer Horto explained his role onboard, and I congratulated them on the previous night’s efforts, giving an inspirational quote to motivate them for the challenges the day would bring! At 0830 we cast of lines and commenced the 3 hour transit out of Gladstone Harbour. During the transit the Youth Crew were introduced to the delights of ‘happy hour’ (cleaning stations), after which a detailed brief on the Ship’s safety equipment was provided by our resident safety expert, Brendon. With a bit of time before lunch, the watch leaders commenced the days major activity, introducing our intrepid sailors to the art of ‘setting and furling’ sails. After a delicious lunch we conducted the first round of the competitive/non competitive activity known as ‘rope races’, testing the Youth Crew’s knowledge of the safety equipment as briefed earlier. Once we cleared the harbour the wind and sea state had picked up, and the dreaded ‘green goblin’ reared it’s ugly head. To their credit, the Youth Crew soldiered on through Sailmaster Guv’s mainsail and square sail brief. We then set a full press of fore and aft sails and moved straight into a series of four tacks, testing the crew’s ability to tack (change direction) the Ship expeditiously…important noting we are inside the Great Barrier Reef. As we finished the wind increased to 20-25 knots making things a little bit bouncy. While it was fantastic for sailing, hitting 9 knots with a bit of tide assistance, there weren’t too many takers for dinner (bloody goblin!). We have settled into watches overnight and are aiming to anchor off the northern side of Great Keppel Island mid morning tomorrow. We’ll send the Youth Crew ashore to ‘hug a tree’, a sure fire remedy for sea sickness, and some beach games and swimming. Until tomorrow…fair winds…Captain Kenny
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Wind: Easterly at 20 knots Wx: Fine and Clear Swell: ESE at 1.5 m Course: 355 true Speed: 4 knots
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ARRRGH, ahoy there from the spectacular Jervis Bay! We’ve all been taken A-back by the crystal clear blue waters and snow white sands.
After a well deserved sleep in these sheltered waters which was a refreshing change to clinging to our bunk racks for dear life for the past few days, the ship rose to another banger of a morale tune “sung” by Blue Watch. Brekkie was fun after the early morning activity to get us all up and moving. We held another round of competitive not-competitive rope races which culminated in smashed eggs on deck and the mummification of said egg smashers.
Roast lamb for lunch was prepped by the staffies in the absence of our culinary wizard Steve. Once cleaned up, we took the RHIB’s across to Captains Beach bordering HMAS Creswell which was a mind-blowingly beautiful little spot. Pretty much everyone had a dip in the drink and a roll in the sand and played some creative beach games run by our Suitability legends, Speedy Sam and Eggs.
A few hours at the beach made everyone ready to head back home and attack a teak deck barbeque, devouring cheese platters, steaks, sangas, and salads. With our full stomachs, us youthies initiated the highly anticipated elections for our command day roles. Which will commence sometime around midday tomorrow. We held a vote for each available role that all willing youthies put themselves forward for.
The following roles were voted as follows: Captain – Warwick, Sailmaster – Hugh, Navigator – Ruscoe, Officer of the Watch – Dan, Watch Leader – Nick, Ben, Bridget, Master chef – Emily, Mackenzie, Alyshia
We were greeted after our elections by a low flying anti-submarine MH60-Romeo Helicopter which did a cool fly around our ship. *Thanks Squizz!!* And then watched an amazing film about the rounding of Cape Horn back in 1929 on a 7 story tall sail ship.
Signing off from our anchor watch, Ben and Giles.
“I believe that positive energy and optimism help us to take up any challenge in life and to succeed in even the most difficult tasks. I also believe that positive energy is contagious: We can transmit it to others”


After a rather nonchalant guts watch with the Bluies, Reddies came in guns a blazing, setting our beautiful square sails preparing us for a speedy and eventful day at sea. Scaling (laying aloft) the Foremast, whilst the ship swayed kept the Reddies on their toes, holding on for dear life as they let out the gaskets for the Topgallant and Topsail Yards. A challenging activity to start off our day rewarded with a beautiful sunrise over Starboard.
During the day we participated in a Meteorology Brief led by our resident Nav guru TOMO, learning everything there is about fluffy, rainy and stormy clouds. This was followed by Lunch and a needed Siesta.
Whilst some slumbered, Bluies kept watch. They had brave volunteers to climb both main mast and to the topgallant yard to sea furl the sails.
In the afternoon, our Watches came together to have Mid Voyage Chats, where we had the opportunity to reflect on our voyage goals, experiences and discuss our hopes for Command Day. There were some very heartfelt talks, from overcoming fears, to gaining confidence in working as a team, and we set our eyes upon what we want to achieve in the rest of the voyage.
The first dog (Reddies) (from 1545 to 1745) was full of excitement, with over 50kn winds and up to 50 degrees on the OOOH AAAH meter (heel). Watching the waves break higher than the rails was an exhilarating experience and kept us holding on tight. Sites of sharks and a Cargo ship kept our lookouts entertained, while Callum lead an engaging activity on Charts. At the end of the first dog watch, Nick and Phil braved these treacherous conditions to lay aloft on the mainmast to wrangle the mainsail!
Rockin and rolling, Youthies (the newest salty sea dogs) Hugh, Bridget, and Nick!!