Day 9: A Very Successful Command Day

Captain Jess, Youth Crew Command Day Captain:Arrgh ahoy there, In the early hours of Sunday morning The Youth Crew passed through their fourth waypoint in the Tasman Sea. We then needed to ���Tack’ to navigate our way back through Port Jackson and on to our final destination point in Hunter’s Bay. This would be our anchor point for the night and provide the Youth Crew with the opportunity to tackle the remaining tasks before the deadline of 1300 when we needed to hand back the keys of the tall ship to Captain Dion and his talented crew. The Youth crew were extremely tired Sunday morning as majority of them had had very little sleep overnight. The conditions were very testing as the weather had rolled in and Mother Nature was throwing a variety of conditions at us (everything and anything from swirling winds, no winds, light rain and heavy rain making visibility extremely difficult). There was a great feeling around the ship at our time of wakening because land was becoming more and more visible as we continued our journey into Hunter’s Bay. It was becoming clear that we would reach our anchor point before the deadline of 1000. Due to the unfavourable conditions, the Youth Crew were assisted by the Young Endeavour crew in navigating their way through the busy harbour channels once through the heads and we were able to sail all of the way to the anchorage. A special mention has to go out the Youth Crew’s navigator on Command Day, Rob for his wonderful effort in assisting Dutchy to safely reach our anchorage. The Youth Crew arrived at their anchor point at 0900, which gave us four hours to complete our remaining tasks. It was all hands on deck as The Youth Crew frantically ran around making sure the ship was tidy (according to the Sail Master and the Chef), the brass was sparkling, morning brief was organised and our Beach Assault Team (BAT) were undertaking their mission (singing the national anthem ashore and trying to get as many people involved). Lunch was at it’s usually time of 1115 and there was still a number of tasks to be complete The Youth Crew hurriedly got some food into their bellies and prepared for their various tasks (climbing aloft, deck Muriel, power point presentation and knot tying demonstration). The Youth Crew managed to get all 24 shipmates onto the three yard arms aloft (something that at day 1 seemed out of reach). It was an amazing slight to see The Youth Crew climbing freely aloft and with such confidence and ease. It is difficult to cast our minds back some 8 days ago to when The Youth Crew first boarded the Young Endeavour and knew very little about sailing. The thought of Command Day and of The Youth Crew having control over the ship was unimaginable. However on Command Day when The Youth Crew was faced with this daunting challenge every single shipmate stepped up to the plate and threw themselves at the task ahead. It was a very rewarding and satisfying feeling to know that we had just sailed a tall ship for a 24 hour period in some tricky and challenging seas. We had crossed through all of our seven waypoints and completed our 23 tasks (we scored 21.5/24 for our tasks. The Youth Crew added an additional task). Each Youth Crew member should be extremely proud of the way that they conducted themselves throughout Command Day and for the success that we achieved as a Team. It was now 1300 and time for The Youth Crew to hand back the keys to the majestic tall ship. After a brief reflection on what The Youth Crew had just accomplished it was time to hand back the telescope of power to Captain Dion (The Youth Crew Captain Jess had received this when the ship was handed over some 24 hours earlier). This gesture symbolized the end of Command Day and the chance for the Youth Crew to head ashore for some much desired and needed R&R. Congratulations Youth Crew. Get some rest. Command Day Captain JessFrom Dion:The 24 hours that was Command Day saw an awesome effort by the entire of our team. They gave their all and achieved what they set out to do under very trying circumstances. I am incredibly pleased and proud of these Tall Ship sailors and their performance throughout. I have nothing to add to Captain Jess’ comments, as she has summed the situation up nicely. After Command Day we proceeded ashore to play some sports and just relax in general.Once we had returned onboard, we enjoyed another wonderful dinner and then soon rolled into a Command Day, debrief. This is equally as important as any other activity we conduct on board as all of the valuable lessons of the last 24 hours are discussed. After completing all our work for the day, it was then time to really relax, kick back and watch a movie on the upper deck. Finally, it was into anchor watches overnight.Until tomorrow, take care.Yours Aye, Captain Dion