Captain's Log

V14/26

21 September 2026

Day 4 – V14/26, Sydney to Brisbane

Ahoy-there Shipmates,
Welcome to this ‘ere Captain’s Log (CLOG) for Day 4 of Voyage 14/26, Sydney to Brisbane.
The plan is to remain anchored in Trial Bay overnight. What a beautiful place to be! So far we have seen many whales, dolphins, a seal and a horse in our journey. However, the journey was not so beautiful for some, the sea picked up choppiness last night and for now our ship is streaked with last night’s dinner.

We were awoken by the questionable vocals of Blue Watch singing a rendition of “Row, row, row your boat. It went a little bit like this:
Sail, sail sail your ship
Into Trial Bay
Heave and Ho
Chuck it up
Live to seize(seas) the day

After our fellow youthies got breakfast (Poor Vinnie, not everyone ate his breakfast) we had our cheerful morning brief from none other than Scotty and special guests Captain Mike, Nav Bryn and all-round legend Matty. Happy hour was completed, we are getting quicker and more efficient with these tasks.
Time for another brief briefing! We were put into random groups of three and set a challenge to find out certain information about each other, to present at the end of the day but we didn’t know who we would be presenting on, surprise! We also got briefing on our beach day and how to conduct it safely.
We splashed down in Trial Bay after much heaving and furling the sails. The crew took us in the Seaboat ashore where the youthies could feel solid ground and hug a tree. A relief for some. Here we played giants wizards and elves, capture the flag and fox holes. Much swimming was done and a journey to the local historical jail. It was here that we saw the mysterious creature, the horse. Not to be confused with a seahorse, however, it was in the sea.

The tension has been building for this one among the youthies. We had come back to the ship, with hopes for a shower when we were surprised with a joyous activity of a rope swing and jump off the bow sprit. There were some attempted and successful backflips, eek. Much fun was had among all.

After a fun filled day, we were tired but nothing could energise us more than Vinnies cooking. Today’s deliciousness was a BBQ dinner on the midship deck. Dinner was an array of steaks, lamb chops, sausages, skewers, salads, sides and fresh baked rolls. It was a fantastic atmosphere to eat together in different groups, not just in our watch, and what a sunset we had as well.

After a break we got ready to present our 3 way chats. It was hilarious and a nice way to get to know about others in the group. The 3 way chats provided us an opportunity to show us that even though we may come from all across Australia, we do have a common thread between us whether that be the colour pale eucalypt green, a group with no broken bones and a shared loved of Superman and The Matrix.

Before the youthies hit the hay, we were briefed on how to conduct an anchor watch. This is a special watch which is only an hour and a bit compared to the usual four. It is just for when at anchor, allowing us extra sleep. A thankful respite. Anchor watch includes checking the position of the ship, the wind speed and anchor position. The wind is already picking up!

Cheers to Jasmine, Hayley and Archie for writing tonight’s log.
Until tomorrow, when I will once again ask for volunteers from the YC to write the CLOG.

Yours aye, Captain Mike

Latitude/Longitude:

30 52.9' S / 153 03.4'E

Conditions:

Anchored in Trial Bay - Wind has now freshened to 20 kn from the south, 1.0m waves and nil Swell

AUTHOR: Peta Binns

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V14/26

22 September 2026

Day 5 – V14/26, Sydney to Brisbane

Welcome to the Captain’s Log (CLOG) for Day 5 of Voyage 14/26, Sydney to Brisbane, brought to you by Chris, Zach, Jessie and Jasmine. Overnight, the Youthies were treated to a restful night anchored within the serine waters of Trial Bay. Being Anchored requires the Youthies to participate in Anchor watches to ensure the ships safety overnight. The crew were woken at 0630 to the song Beds are Burning by Midnight Oil. Then participated in a morning game to awaken the mind and body. Matt gave another insightful story about the cat of nine tales and a whole spread of sayings that originated from that nautical tale while the youthies enjoyed a delicious muffin from Vinney to celebrate one of the crew member’s 17^th birthday. This was followed by Happy Hour where the Ship was scrubbed up and down, starboard to port until it was squeaky clean The Ship was then prepped to set sail and anchor lifted. The youthies then got extra familiar with tacking, going through each tacking station to perfect their abilities. Us youthies enjoyed the chance to experience the other watches perspective and are feeling ready to test our abilities over the coming days. Our abilities growing enough that we could even tack without staff directions. We had all youthies up the foremast to set the square sails today. This marked the first time where the ship was completely under sail power with its square sails set. It was really cool to see the square sails set as we haven’t experienced it before. As previously mentioned, today we got the chance to celebrate one of the youthies 17^th birthday. Over the day, we sung the happy birthday song 17 times from sunrise to sunset. We were very proud to be able to celebrate Jessie’s birthday with her aboard the ship. These birthday celebrations were led by the best watch leader, Sam. Thank you to our CLOG writers for tonight's log. It is great reading. Until tomorrow, when I will once again ask for volunteers from the YC to write the CLOG. Yours aye, Captain Mike (and Jessie, Jasmine, Christian and Zach from the best watch – White Watch) PS. Dearest Mother, all is well. Miss you heaps and I’ll see you in Brisbane soon enough. – Zach PPS. We saw a cool as shark today.

V14/26

20 September 2026

Day 3 – V14/26, Sydney to Brisbane

Good evening Shipmates, Welcome to the Captain’s Log for Day 3 of Voyage 14/26, Sydney to Brisbane. We continued our passage northwards along the NSW coast overnight, with the YC learning the practical skills of steering the Ship, performing lookout duties and undertaking the required hourly machinery and security rounds to help keep the Ship and the crew safe. The conditions remained relatively benign overnight, so we were forced to continue motor-sailing in order to maintain the required speed of advance to achieve Brisbane on time. After the usual Morning Brief and Happy Hour (cleaning stations), Watch Officer Matty gave the YC the Nautical Rules of the Road briefing, during which they learnt about the IMO collision regulations and the IALA system of buoyage and beacon colour, shape and light characteristics. Following another of Vinnie’s magnificent lunches, the YC had some free time to catch-up on sleep, do washing and relax if they so desired. At 1400 the second edition of Rope Races was conducted to test what the youthies had retained from their sail handling training on the locations of lines associated with the fore-and-aft sails. Future Ropies editions will cover topics like the square sails and general ship knowledge and are intended to reinforce what they have been taught. After Ropies the Watch Leaders continued with sail handling practice until 1530, when the Staff Crew (SC) conducted a Fire Exercise drill for 30 minutes to maintain their skills and knowledge in dealing with emergencies. The YC were required to evacuate to the upper deck and account for all personnel in their watches to ensure that everyone was safe. At 1630 I commenced giving my Sail Theory briefs to the watches individually, starting with White Watch. At 1800 the Ship went to Tacking Stations and we set ourselves up for the night. The plan is to anchor tomorrow morning in Trial Bay, between Port Macquarie and Coffs Harbour, where we will remain overnight. We will give the youthies a run ashore there for a chance to stretch their legs after 3 days onboard. Until tomorrow, when this time I really will hand over the majority of Captain's Log writing duties to the YC. I decided not to do that today as they have been very busy tonight working the sails and learning Sail Theory from me. Yours aye, Captain Mike

V14/26

19 September 2026

Day 2 – V14/26, Sydney to Brisbane

Good evening Shipmates, Welcome to the Captain’s Log for Day 2 of Voyage 14/26, Sydney to Brisbane. After a big first day, the Youth Crew (YC) slept very soundly during their first night onboard, with the Ship gently rocking at anchor off Kirribilli Point. Sail Master (SM) Scott woke everyone at 0630 with an invigorating tune over the main broadcast, and we all mustered on the upper deck for a few laps to get the blood flowing. That was followed by an 'Ice Breaker' activity, this time involving the whole crew. We were then treated to a delicious breakfast from Chef Vinnie. At 0800 everyone was back on deck for their first 'Colours' ceremony, and then the Morning Brief hosted by Sail Master Scott. The YC had their first experience of ‘Chewing the fat with Matt’ (Matty the Watch Officer) whose job it is to explain some nautical expressions in use onboard, their origins and their contemporary meanings. Scott briefed on the plan for the day, Navigator Bryn explained where we were going today and gave us a weather forecast. Finally, I gave my quote for the day. The YC then experienced their first Happy Hour session onboard (Cleaning the Ship!) The YC then received a detailed Safety Equipment brief and tour of the ship from Sam, YE’s Bosun for the voyage. The YC then spent 2 hours with their Watch Leaders learning about practical deck safety and conducting staysail setting and furling drills. This activity took us through until lunchtime. After lunch the YC had their first experience of Rope Races, a competitive-non-competitive activity designed to enhance their learning of names and locations of equipment around the Ship. After that the SC demonstrated the correct way to set and furl some of the Staysails until 1500 when we departed the harbour and commenced our passage northwards. Between then and dinner the YC continued with Deck Safety and setting and furling drills. Just before dinner the Sail Master gave the YC the Mainsail briefing and then the crew set the mainsail and jib for the first time. After another of Vinnie’s fabulous dinners the YC mustered on deck, and we conducted our first tack of the Ship. After that the YC began night watches, which involve them learning to steer the Ship, undertaking lookout duties and hourly rounds of the machinery spaces to keep the Ship and their Shipmates safe though the night. The plan is to continue our passage north for the next 48 hours, and then anchor at Trial Bay for 24 hours, weather permitting. Until tomorrow, when I will hand over the majority of Captain's Log writing duties to the YC. Yours aye, Captain Mike

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Day 4 – V14/26, Sydney to Brisbane

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