Day 3 – Sunshine Coast

Ahoy there everyone,Welcome to day three on our adventure under sail. The ship continued sailing overnight making ground to the north 20 miles seaward paralleling the Sunshine Coast. Weather conditions proved challenging overnight for the Youth Crew with a 1.5 metre swell and rain squalls buffeting the ship ensured the first night at sea was a baptism by the elements. Though each person acquitted themselves with distinction most notably those who had never been to sea before often battling motion sickness and those who climbed aloft during the night. With the rising of the sun in an overcast sky, a cheerful wakey wakey song from blue watch, our first humpback whale was spotted fluking and blowing as they migrated north. Breakfast was a very quiet affair followed by the morning brief, after tidying and cleaning the ship from the previous nights pitching and rolling Navigator Kristy presented a lesson detailing the art of fixing the ships position on a chart by using various instruments and methods, though not convincing everyone that the world was in fact round and not flat. Lunch was next on the agenda another very quiet affair after which the Youth Crew were stood down in order to achieve some respite after an exhausting yet rewarding first night at sea. Mid afternoon with all hands were mustered on deck where Engineer Leon conducted round one 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. Watch Officer JB then presented 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 by correctly identifying various lights, shapes and navigation markers. During the early evening the ship rounded the northern tip of Fraser Island and set the topsail for a square run into Hervey Bay through passing squalls. Once in the lee of Fraser Island the swell abated significantly enabling a restful off watch sleep for all. The intention is to continue motor sailing into Hervey Bay overnight before anchoring at Rooney Point in the lee of Fraser Island. Until tomorrow evening, take care. ‘Carpe Diem’ Yours Aye Captain Damien