Day 3 – Jervis Bay

Ahoy there everyone, Welcome to day three on our adventure under sail. The ship continued sailing south overnight making good six knots in moderate seas on a broad reach port tack, along the Shoalhaven coast. The Youth Crew remained engaged in sailing a tall ship each completing a challenging four hour night watch in the prevailing conditions conducting helm duties, lookout and engineering rounds, many experiencing the effects of motion sickness. With the rising of the sun in an overcast sky, the ship had passed Kiama and was shaping a course for Green Patch located in the Jervis Bay Marine Park. After breakfast and morning brief, the ship received her daily clean during happy hour. With this important task complete all sails were handed in as the ship motored into Jervis Bay as Navy helicopters hovered next to us for a closer look. Next Watch Officer Taffy conducted an intriguing maritime Rules of the Road lecture, an important component of safely navigating the ship to avoid colliding with other vessels or running aground. On completion of the lecture the ship let go anchor in the azure waters adjacent Green Patch camping ground on the shores of Booderee National Park. After round two of non-competitive Rope Races enabling the Youth Crew to challenge themselves by remembering and identifying different items of safety equipment located around the upper decks, the Youth Crew were ferried ashore to stretch their sea legs and hug a tree, which is a well known remedy for motion sickness. With all hands back onboard the ship Sail Master Tug opened the Young Endeavour pool enabling all those keen adventurers to swing from the course yard arm rope or plunge from the bowsprit into the warm, clear waters of the bay. The overcast conditions did not dampen the enthusiasm as the Youth Crew executed some commendable acrobatic pirouettes, somersaults and water entries.During the afternoon stand down a small cake was consumed to celebrate the 110th anniversary of the foundation of the Australian Navy. With all hands back onboard by 1730 dinner was served, this was a magnificent affair which was closely followed by a three way talk activity; this enabled each Youth Crew member to gather a significant amount of in depth information about two of their appointed shipmates during the afternoon; this information is then presented to the remainder of the crew in the third person developing confidence, interpersonal skills and public speaking.The intention is to remain at anchor overnight to avoid forecast heavy seas before departing tomorrow morning and shaping a course north continuing our adventure that is Young Endeavour. Until tomorrow evening, take care.Yours ayeCaptain Damien