Day 6 – Hinchinbrook Island

Hi Everyone,

welcome to day six of our voyage.

By sunrise this morning we were located 12nm to the south of Hinchinbrook Island sailing on a beam reach under fore and aft sail and really enjoying a pleasant sail.

At 0915 we closed the ship up at tacking stations and completed a good set of rotational to tacks. This activity gives everyone the opportunity to swap around to different tacking stations so they have a better understanding of what other crew members do when we tack the ship. On completion of this activity we had positioned ourselves only 1nm from Zoe Bay which is located on the eastern side of Hinchinbrook Island, so all sail was handed in and we proceeded to anchor in Zoe Bay at 1015.

Once at anchor we had an early lunch then the Youth crew were ferried ashore were they undertook the 20 minute walk through tropical rain forest up to Zoe Bay’s spectacular waterfall and lagoon where everyone marvelled at the fantastic views and enjoyed a swim in the cool but crystal clear water of this beautiful lagoon. 

By 1500 everyone was back onboard and once both boats had been recovered we stood everyone down for a break before regrouping at 1630 for another hotly contested round of rope races.

Following another one of Chef Keely’s amazing dinners we weighed anchor and departed Zoe Bay. Once in open water the ship was brought under sail and a new course shaped for the outer reef. Overnight the Youth Crew will complete an activity known as the BEAREX which is a teamwork and communication exercise as we continue our voyage to Cairns.

So far we have managed to avoid the majority of the bad weather that has hit north Queensland but not sure how we will go tomorrow with another forecast of torrential rain due hit this part of the coast over the next 24hrs.

Until tomorrow, take care.

Yours Aye

Captain Gav