Day 4 – Hervey Bay

Dear readers, ahoy there! Day 4 started at 0000 for some youthies finishing their anchor watches with the last watch finishing at 0600. We were then awoken with the song Banana Pancakes and Keithy calling us up to midships with an early morning game of match it to get our minds awake, with Reggie winning the first round and Amedy winning the second. Keithy then shared the plan for today (which was interrupted by a very close whale sighting!) but it involved finally going ashore to Fraser Island. Us youthies were very very happy! So after a yummy brekky supplied by the amazing Keely (sprinkles on pancakes are always a good idea), we grabbed our togs and towels and took the boat ashore to have some fun on the beach. After several rounds of dodge-ball and Tug-o-war (with the Bluies winning absolutely everything!!!) the youthies and staffies took a dip in the chilly ocean. Was a well-deserved and rewarding morning (thanks Keithy!) and fortunately we didn’t have to use Emma’s dingo call. Matty then took us all back to the boat where we showered and enjoyed yet another wonderful lunch from Keely (nearly everyone headed back for seconds). Sails were hoisted and we headed into Harvey Bay. Happy hour was performed to perfection during this sail despite the slant of the boat we were working with. After the usual rounds of card games involving Uno, Captain Adam Charlie Farley shared his wisdom with us surrounding all sorts of Sail Theory, a well needed lesson (us youthies are well on our way to becoming salty sea-dogs). Dinner was served and a delicious berry crumble for dessert was demolished by all staffies and youthies (Keely you seriously are amazing!). Youthies were then called to the deck where we spent the next few hours climbing aloft, tacking the ship and setting and furling sails. It was a very worthy and rewarding effort, however tiring so as soon as the ship was on track everyone hit their racks, except the Bluies who were on first watch. Has definitely been an enjoyable yet long day, but once again filled with heaps of laughter and smiles as we all continue to grow and develop our seamanship. Thankful the weather has stayed well and looking forward to the next few days. Missing those from home, goodnight from your Bluey youthies Jesse and Amedy 🙂
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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!!