Day 5 Orpheus Island

Ahoy there everyone, Overnight the ship continued to make ground to the North West through the Inner Great Barrier Reef averaging 5 knots under three square sails on a dead run, what a magnificent sight. During the night each of the watches conducted a ���Bear Exercise’ by completing an unfamiliar team orientated task without instruction in a limited time, needless to say each of the watches acquitted themselves handsomely. Sunrise saw Young Endeavour rounding the northern end of the Orpheus Island Group handing in all three square sails and setting all fore and aft sails before beating south towards the planned anchorage at Little Pioneer Bay. The morning brief as usual was extremely entertaining with the ���salty sea dog’ himself Watch Officer Kenny regaling tales of old, when ships were made of wood and men were made of steel. After a quick morning happy half hour (cleaning stations) to ensure the ship sparkled like a jewel in the forenoon sun the Youth Crew were turned to on deck and conducted rotational tacks experiencing each of the ships different tacking stations and associated lines and sails. Tacking is quite physically demanding work and to sustain this workload Chef Adrian had created a storm in the galley producing some truly inspirational meals. After lunch a Man Overboard Exercise was conducted to ensure that everyone onboard the ship knew what to do, should they eat too much food, become disorientated and fall over the ships side. Young Endeavour then anchored in stunning uninhabited Little Pioneer Bay, Orpheus Island. The Youth Crew had just literally tied themselves in knots after their Watch Leaders Tug, Carly and Dutchy had shown each the intricacies of rope work. Therefore it was time to open the Young Endeavour pool by rigging the rope swing from the yard and somersaulting into the cool waters of the Great Barrier Reef. A much refreshed Youth and Staff Crew then resurfaced, revitalised for a ���Rules of the Road’ lecture by Kenny, an important component of navigating the ship to avoid colliding with other vessels. Next on the busy schedule was small boat work where the Youth Crew practised manoeuvring the ships two inflatable boats under the direction of Taffy and Engineer Josh. It was during this activity that those lucky to be aloft on the masts witnessed a line of 17 two metre wide manta rays sweep across Little Pioneer Bay and around the ship whilst feeding, a truly remarkable spectacle. After another meal truly fit for a king from Chef Adrian it was time for popcorn in front of our own ���teak deck movie’ (open air cinema) laying out under the magnificent southern cross watching tall ships of a bygone era. It was then off to their beds for those not on anchor watch for a well deserved sleep.The intention is to remain at anchor overnight prior to departing the anchorage early tomorrow morning and continuing north to the exotic Hinchinbrook and Dunk islands on the adventure that is Young Endeavour. Until tomorrow, take care.Yours AyeCaptain Damien