Day 5 – Finally some wind!

Holy hump day dear readers! And well shiver me timbers (old nautical expression), time does get away when you’re having fun. BBQ bacon and egg rolls on the teak deck, as the sun rises over Magnetic Island anyone? What an absolutely superb way to start the day. How about a rope swing and swim to cap off the forenoon? Approved. Whilst we do seem to be spoiling these marvelous young Australians, dear readers… We are certainly working them hard when its time to work.
Having said that, on weighing anchor and clearing Horseshoe Bay, it was straight into sail theory class presented by your humble narrator. General sailing principles were covered then more specific YE guidance and data was transmitted, all in the name of prepping them for their Command Day, which is right around the corner… Then it was “hands to tacking stations” and tack tack tack, back and forth and back and forth. For the first time on the voyage, we found a wee puff of wind coming from the northeast (yes, Reggie, Jordo and our Navigators hunted it down!) and without missing a beat we set a nice sail plan and conducted tacking drills, then rotational tacks. Rotational tacks is conducted so our Youth Crew know and understand what everyone else does when we need to tack the ship. Setting them up for success folks!
BTW Duck with ginger and plum sauce was on the dinner menu tonight. Just thought I’d mention that and give a well deserved shout out to my favourite staff member, Adam the chef. I know I shouldn’t have favourites, but… he said I could have extra ice cream if I give him a mention. ha.
Anyway, ladies and gentlemen, as the milky way lights up the sky with Scorpio overhead and the rising Saturn as a temporary headmark, our ship continues SE towards the Whitsunday Islands. Our watchkeepers will be very active overnight with special teamwork activities facilitated by our highly skilled watch leaders, designed to test every individual. Our patented leadership, communication and resilience training amps up tonight. You realise these young men and women will never be the same again don’t you? Yours Aye, Captain Adam Charlie Farley+
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Weather: Fine and beautiful clear night. Temp: 19. Wind: NE @ 5. Swell: Nil.
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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!!