Day 7 – Dunk Island

Ahoy there friends and followers,
Gee I’ve missed you lot, it feels like ages since we spoke, what with the youthies writing the last couple of logs and all.
So then, where to begin? Last night I guess… (whimsical music is heard as the tape is rewound to a scene on a tallship at night… zooms in on a loud speaker…)
“Hands to tacking stations, hands to tacking stations!â€
We conducted a few tacks overnight… Did I say a few? I meant many… Yes, there were many tacks! And each one we all woke up and did our duty. But that’s what we do, no-one asks questions we just do it. It’s like some kind of hypnotism, makes us do those things… and the Sailmaster, he makes us do those things!
In the morning Mr Horton – the engineer – and myself, took each watch through their paces to assess their sail handling ability. Pleasingly they all did extremely well, testament to the skills passed down from their ‘sea-daddy/mummy’ (aka watch leader), and also the hard work they’ve been putting in, to practice these skills and becoming more familiar with their ship and proficient sailors. After much celebrating and hi-fiving, sails were handed in and we came to anchor in a lovely little spot between Dunk and Mound Island.
The aboriginal name for Dunk Island is Coonanglebah or “the island of peace and plentyâ€, which is very apt, as after lunch everyone went ashore for a bit of rest and relaxation, and a milkshake from the café. Others after a bit more adventure, hiked to the peak of Mt Kootaloo (271m). A good old leg stretch is great therapy after a few days at sea confined to a 44m vessel. The boats were sent to retrieve our personnel at 1500 and then ‘muscle beach’ was opened to several muscle bound sailors to expand their pecs, etc. Others less inclined, washed clothes and/or had a wee snooze.
At 1700, ladies and gentlemen, it was time for yours truly to give these salty, sea dogs their Command Day brief as, yes that’s right! It is tomorrow!! Gee that time went, didn’t it?
So I gave them the good oil on what goes down, then we ate a lovely BBQ dinner cooked superbly by our resident Englander – assistant watch leader – Charlie (he’s on an exchange program through Sail Training International). He later admitted to being a little nervous as us “Aussies are the BBQ masters†as he said. True that. Anyway, up we ate then the Command Day elections took place, and I have the honour to announce, dear readers, that the following folk were elected to key positions:
Captain – Liam
Sailmaster – JJ
Navigator – Jess
Watch Officer – Macca
Watch Leaders – Bonnie, Seb and Lou
Chefs – Grace, Nate and Byron.
The remainder will be split up into three watches and will be heavily involved regardless of position.
What a fantastic job they did – with a fair and democratic election – and I reckon they will put on an outstanding Command Day.
I can’t wait.
So, until then… then. Good night.
Yours Aye,
Captain Adam
Shout outs:
To the family back in Tassie, still alive and kicking, loving the weather may need to move up here LOL, Jilanna AKA jayjay
Hello Tess MD et al, hope all is well in Adelaide. Sailing is good. Cya soo, Theo
Mikah, I think I am a better sailor than you – love you lots, Anna
Hello all.. big hug from me – grace
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Fine. Wind: SE 10 Swell: Nil Temp: 24
You might also be interested in

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!!