Day 7 – Hyams Beach, Captain’s Setting and Furling…and Farwell Jervis Bay.

Ahoy shipmates…Day 7. After a restful night at anchor we have had a very busy day, including a shore visit (see below), an impromptu visit by the local sea cadets, Captain’s Setting and Furling, and the Sailmaster’s Challenge, all described below. In the late afternoon we departed Jervis Bay and as I write we are making our way north under sail in a brisk 25-30 knot westerly…just how YE likes it. That’s about it for now, until tomorrow, fair winds, Captain Kenny———-Welcome back to another riveting episode of captain’s logs from Jack H, Sam and Lili. Anchor Watches took place as usual as we were anchored in Jervis Bay with sightings of sea snakes and squid in the waters of the bay. We were awoken by the sweet sounds of Reggies beautiful playlist and were immediately plunged into a game of Knights, Mounts and Cavaliers, Unfortunately Lili, Jack and Sam didn’t last very long. Adam had bestowed upon us his sublime gift of cooking as we broke our fast from last nights dinner (Breakfast haha). We raised the flags to half-mast at anchor this morning upon the unfortunate news of Prince Philip’s death. Following this was our favourite time of the day – Happy hour. We then headed ashore to Hyams beach, Guinness record holder for world’s whitest sand? The crew grabbed some tasty goodies from a local cafe. We then walked back to the ship to find young orange clad navy cadets aboard. We then enjoyed a meal up on the decks in the sun surrounded by crystal clear waters. We then set sail around the bay and completed the Captains setting and furling challenge where each watch worked in unison to set and furl three different sails without the instruction of our wonderful staffies. After all this hard work we received a reward…a packet of scrumptious TimTams…gold on the high seas!We then had to complete the Sail Master challenge to get the ship underway from standstill without assistance using only the sails. After a successful completion of the two challenges they fed us ribs, potatoes and noodle soup. Sam once again taking an extra thirty minutes to chew his food after everyone else had already finished, holding up the rest of the crew (lol jk). Sailing back into the blue yonder, the wind started to pick up as blue watch entered into its watch. The blue watch in its entirely gallantly ascended the foremast in an astonishing fifty knots of apparent wind speed (more like 25 knots) to sea furl the topsail. It was a day full of learning, fun and commitment…Hi Mum I’m not dead yet. Love Jack and also Hi Peter I’m having a good time… Hey Freyjika and Fam Bam, I’ve done heaps of cool stuff like climbing the mast and I did a sick backflip off the rope swing! Love you Broski xx Lil :)Hi – Sam
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Wind: SW at 28 knots Weather: Fine Sea: Moderate Course 040 Speed: 6 knots Location: East of Gerringong.
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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!!