Day 3 – Sea to anchor Cape Byron

Ahoy there, Last night we had a great overnight sail making ground to the south and the new crew members got to experience the tasks and duties involved with keeping a Ship at sea 24 hrs/day. Unfortunately the wind almost deserted us late in the evening and we were forced to motor-sail to ensure we maintained the required speed of advance. Some members are still trying to find their sea-legs, but despite not feeling 100 % they still turned-to and worked to support their watch mates. After a hearty breakfast we had the daily morning brief. Tim gave us the first Navigation Brief and told us where we travelled overnight. We heard from Salty on the nautical origin of the expression ‘Chockers’ or ‘Chock-a-block’, she continued the development of the Crew’s ‘Pirate Attitude’ and also explained, with the aid of an animated demonstration by Dougie, Dave and Rico, why the ‘Dogs’ (watches) are split. We had the first visit from ‘Nana’ (Mick) who conducted rounds of the Ship during the early part of the brief and collected clothes and towels that had not been properly stowed-for-sea. Nana then taught the new crew members ‘Best Pirate’, the first of many songs they will learn whilst onboard. Then it was off to Happy Hour to get Young Endeavour ship- shape after a day at sea. The assessment was made during Happy Hour that we had a few more crew members still struggling to find theirs sea-legs than we thought. The decision was made to seek some shelter from the low south-easterly swell at anchor so a course was shaped for the lee of Cape Byron. The plan was to send the Youth Crew ashore to seek the best cure for sea-sickness ….. to hug a tree! The wind was forecast to veer northerly later in the day and strengthen slightly however as we approached the anchorage it had freshened to the extent it was impractical to launch the seaboat. Accordingly it was decided to carry out activities onboard instead, remain at anchor overnight, and re-assess the practicality of putting people ashore in the morning. The time before dinner was spent, having a bit of free time and preparing for 3-way chats, which is a collective get-to-know you activity we do as a whole crew only at anchor. This was conducted after dinner and then the crew commenced anchor watches, which were conducted through the night to ensure the Ship remained safe. They consisted of machinery space and upper deck rounds and checking that the Ship remained navigationally safe as the anchor and cable were holding us fast against the weather. Yours aye, Captain Mike