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Captain's Log
V14/16 Gove (NT) to Darwin (NT)
28 August 2016
Day 7 – At Anchor Port Essington
Hi Everyone,Welcome to Day 7 of our voyage. By sunrise this morning we were located 12nm to the ENE of Port Essington sailing on a very broad reach under a reduced sail plan.The morning activities commenced early with Captains Setting and Furling Drills at 0715. These drills continued right into Port Essington where once completed all sail was handed in then we proceeded to anchor at Black Point at 0910.Once at anchor we conducted a short morning brief then the Youth Crew were ferried ashore where they enjoyed a morning of beach sports and a good leg stretch. By 1200 everyone was back onboard and following another delicious lunch (thanks Marcos) and a short break they were all again ferried ashore where they were given a tour of the Black Point Cultural Centre and a presentation by the Park Ranger on the history of Port Essington and the importance of this remote National Park.This evening we invited the Park Ranger and his Partner onboard for a BBQ dinner and a tour of the ship as a thank you for the informative tours that they had kindly provided this afternoon.Later this evening after farewelling our guests we held the Command Day Brief which was followed by Command Day Elections.The time is now 2100 and these elections are now complete and positions announced. Our plan is to remain at anchor overnight ensuring that all onboard are well rested for what will be a challenging but exciting Command Day. Until tomorrow, take care. Yours Aye Captain Gav
Latitude/Longitude:
11 08 S / 132 08 E
Conditions:
Currently at anchor at Black Point, Port Essington and enjoying light NE winds with nil swell and the temperature is 23 degrees.
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V03/23
01 February 2023
Day 4 – From Dusk ‘till Dawn
Hi Everyone,
Welcome to Day 4 of our voyage. It’s been another busy day for the crew of Young Endeavour with plenty of activities to keep our young mariners busy. We did experience some rain this morning but the weather gods smiled upon us just as we weighed anchor with the sun coming out and the wind freshening from the WNW.
Once clear of Port Davey we put the ship under fore & aft sail and by late afternoon we had set the topsail which was the first time we have set a square sail this voyage. By early evening we had rounded SW Cape and are now settled into watches overnight and are enjoying some great sailing.
That’s enough from me I will now handover to Jasper and Aria who have done a wonderful job of writing tonight’s Log. Until tomorrow, take care. Captain Gav
From dusk ‘till dawn, each group for anchor watches consisted of three people, each from different watches, and conducted rounds without the help from the staff for 2 and half hours which was definitely much easier and more relaxing from the four hour watches we did the previous day. This morning, we were at anchor in Port Davy to mist and drizzle and spectacular mountain views.
Due to the weather, we conducted morning brief inside after a delicious breakfast of porridge, eggs, toast and even spaghetti thanks to the legendary Haydo and his assistant master chefs. Our brains were slightly fried by a very informative lesson on navigation from Seb, but despite it involving a bit too much maths for that early in the morning, it was really interesting and gave us all a better idea of what on Earth is going on in the Chart House.
When that was all covered we had the choice of a siesta until lunch or to lay aloft (climb the mast) and loose the gaskets from topsail yard. It was only really a four person job but there were eight of us keen to go up, so the four who weren’t needed to cast loose the gaskets just went up to the course yard and stayed there a while taking in the scenery. Just as the gaskets had been loosened and we were on our way down, the rain started. Luckily most of us had already donned our wet weather gear, but Alistair got soaked through and Jasper couldn’t reach his hood and got a very wet head.
Once we were down lunch was ready so we sat down in the galley to steak with garlic gravy and Haydo’s delicious chicken pasta bake. In red watch, one of our goals is to try every different tea available on board and learn Morse code, so we had a tea with lunch and practiced the alphabet.
Then we left anchor and as we left Port Davy we had rope races in which a specific rope was called and one person from each watch had do find where it was located and the first person there was claimed the winner of that round. White watch came in clutch with the win, red watch second and blue watch finally put themselves on the board with a win from today’s races. We then set the forestay sail along with jib afterwards which proved to be difficult with the wind but was achieved with the help of some mighty teamwork.
After the wind went down, everyone was admiring the ocean on the upper decks with the sun finally out and shining, dinner was then served with an amazing selection of meals including curried sausages, steam veggies, pasta bake and potatoes and of course a special shoutout to Chucky’s mum for the excellent rhubarb from her garden served in the rhubarb ice cream for dessert.
Shoutout – Just wanna say hi to my Mum, my Dad, Thoria, Rory, Lawson and Fynn J I miss you guys so much and I can’t wait to tell you about all the amazing experiences I’ve had. I love you guys so much. See you guys when I get home xoxo J - Aria <3
Hello to Mum, Dad, Asher and of course Oyster Joe. Dad we definitely need to walk to Port Davy some day and all of you make sure to give OJ and the horses a scratch from me J - Jasper
Jasper and Aria signing out
V03/23
31 January 2023
Day 3 – Port Davey
Hi Everyone,
Welcome to Day 3 of our voyage. It’s been an action packed day with plenty of activities and a chance to climb a mountain and admire some spectacular scenery in the beautiful Port Davey which would have to be one of the most remote parts of our wonderful country and a place that we on board Young Endeavour feel privileged to visit.
That’s enough from me I will now handover to youthies Summer and Tiff who have done a wonderful job of writing tonight’s Log. Until tomorrow, take care. Captain Gav
Ahoy there from Summer and Tiff,
Day 3 starts off in the early hours of the morning where night watches commenced for the first time on the voyage. As advised, the Youthies take their sea sick tablets for the busy and exciting watch ahead, but the excitement was short lived for some of our Youthies. Paper bags and the open ocean became almost everyone’s best friend, with stomachs turning, even with the help of the sayo biscuits to try and keep it down, we all raced to a spot on the side of the ship to throw up.
Red watch started at 23:45, making our way from Quarantine Bay through the rough seas aiming to complete over 110 nautical miles to get to our anchorage for the night. Within five minutes of the watch, heads were out the side of the boat with Matty and Evan telling us to clip our harnesses on the railing so we don’t fall in, and to be honest with you all, all we were concentrating on was not to throw up which was proven difficult.
After watch was up, it was a very quiet breakfast as most of us Youthies were sleeping. Once almost everyone was awake, the morning briefing was called where we completed our first rope races, where of course, red watch won. The rope races finished and the not so happy, Happy Hour began where us Youthies cleaned up the lower deck, well, tried too. The constant swaying of the ship began to arise the Youthies from the lower deck up to Mid Ships where designated spots for throwing up awaited us.
At 13:00 we arrived at Port Davey in much calmer seas where we anchored. A short briefing was held and we were advised that we were to be taken into shore for the first time on this voyage. Salty sea puppies, turned into tree huggers once we arrived to shore. A quick game of red light green light was played, conducted by Chucky while we were waiting for the other youthies to arrive from the ship to shore.
As everyone decided we all wanted to go for a hike, we made our way up Milner Mountain where we took in the breathtaking scenery from the top and took some happy snaps for well-made memories. Once we recovered from the hike, we all went into the water up to our knees and we then made our way back to the ship where Haydo, Hoppy and Captain Gav had cooked up a storm on the BBQ.
With everyone’s stuffed bellies, anchor briefs were mentioned and the 3 way chats got everyone laughing to end the night off for activities, still with anchor watches throughout the night. And a special mention to Shaun, as he said we have to put his name in so we get chocolate.
Shoutout to Mum, Dad, Tyler, Lachie and fam, as well as Mum, Garry, Brandi, Curtis and fam, we both miss you a lot.
Fair winds and following seas,
Summer and Tiff
V03/23
30 January 2023
Day 2 – Quarantine Bay
Hi Everyone, Welcome to Day 2 of our voyage. After a good night’s sleep the the Young Endeavour Crew woke to an overcast but fine morning in the beautiful Quarantine Bay. Following an Early Morning Activity (EMA) at 0630, Big Breakfast then Morning Brief the Youth Crew were mustered on deck where they were given a comprehensive harness and climbing brief before all of them successfully climbed to the topgallant yard which is our highest yard on the foremast which was a fantastic effort by all. At 1330 we departed our anchorage then commenced our transit south through the picturesque D’Entrecasteaux Channel. During this transit the Youth Crew spent time with their Watch Leaders practicing setting and furling of sails and learning what the many sheets, tacks, halyards and many other lines/ropes on board Young Endeavour do. Once proficient with their sail work the ship was brought under fore and aft sail and we completed our first set of tacks as a crew which went extremely well. On completion of the last tack we reduced sail and then proceeded below to enjoy another one of Chef Haydo’s fantastic dinners. With our stomachs full, everyone again mustered back on deck for Teresa’s Safety Equipment Brief which was the final activity for the day. The time is now 2045 and we are just departing the D’Entrecasteaux Channel. Overnight the Youth Crew will settle into their watch routine as we round Southeast Cape and continue to make good speed to Port Davey which is planned to be our next anchorage. Until tomorrow, take care Captain Gav