Captain's Log
9 May 2013

Day 7 – Sea to Rye, Port Phillip Bay

Ahoy there Shipmates,Overnight the ship continued motor-sailing towards Port Phillip Bay, encountering some showers and high winds during the middle watch. This resulted the Ship’s speed bring reduced to less than two knots at times.We had Morning Brief, during which ‘Salty’ explained the nautical origin of the terms ‘Figurehead’ and ‘Heads’ as they pertain to Ships. This he achieved with the services of Tilly, who played the beautiful figurehead and Dave who was a ‘cheeky Jack Tar.’ Happy hour followed and then we conducted Demonstrational Tacks during which the youth crew rotated through the bridge in groups of nine to observe what happens there when the Ship tacks or wears-Ship.After lunch I commenced Captain’s Setting and Furling Drills, which enable me to evaluate each watch’s ability to safely set and furl sails, without staff present. This is a requirement before progressing to Command Day. All three watches passed the assessment.We then headed into Port Phillip Bay, anchoring at Rye. I then briefed the youth crew on the aims and requirements of Command Day, which is planned to occur between 1000 tomorrow (Fri 06) and 1000 Sat 07. They were then given an hour to conduct their Command Day elections, the results of which are as follows:Captain: Peeranat Vanichkitrungruang (Bobby)Sail Master: Benjamin CooperNavigator: Matthew CoolicanWatch Leaders: Tycho Spicer, Michael Gray & Michael HolderWatch Officers: Reece Jenvey, Michael Tarin & Jack HattonChefs: William Jane, Miranda Jones & Hayley FrancisCongratulations to all members of the Youth Crew for what they have achieved in the Voyage so far and to those successful office holders for Command Day.After the ‘teak deck BBQ’ dinner we screened the film ‘Around Cape Horn’, which details the adventures of Captain Irving Johnson when he sailed as an ordinary seaman through storms around Cape Horn onboard the massive bark ‘Peking’.The intention is to remain in our current anchorage overnight and conduct the handover of the Ship to the Youth Crew at 1000 tomorrow. That will begin the adventure and challenge that is Command Day in Young Endeavour.Until tomorrow evening when we will also hear from Youth Captain Bobby.Yours AyeCaptain MikeBLUE WATCH WAKEY WAKEY SONGJust a small town girl, Sailing in a lonely world.She steered the morning boat going to Melbourne.Just a Sydney boy up on deck yelling land ahoi!He took the last dog watch going to Melbourne.Going in a foggy cove finding it hard to see.For a while blue will share the night.Just until the morning light.The wind goes round and round and round and round.Don’t stop sailing, holding on to that Jib sheet.Lighthouse people helping us find our way.Time for breakfast. Wake up now.   “ 

Latitude/Longitude:

38° 21' South / 144° 49' East

Conditions:

Weather: Overcast and showery Wind: Light and Variable Swell: Nil Temperature: 13 deg C