Captain's Log
30 December 2014

Day 9 – Departed Wellington

Hi Everyone,Welcome to day 9 of our voyage. Our visit to Wellington went extremely well and I can not speak highly enough of the services provided by New Zealand Customs, Quarantine and our Logistics Agent during our brief visit to this wonderful city. This visit really was just a logistic stop for Young Endeavour enabling us to top up on fuel and food prior to our three week passage across the South Pacific and Southern Oceans. It also gave the Crew a chance to have some well earned R&R, stock up on some essential provisions (chocolate) and to enjoy this very picturesque and friendly city.  Whilst in Wellington we also farewelled our Executive Officer Adam and our Navy Photographer Steve and welcomed back to Young Endeavour our extremely talented Meteorologist Paige who will now stay with us until Rio. Adam and Steve have both returned to Sydney with Adam returning to Young Endeavour next year to undertake further passages with us during the World Voyage. Steve has returned to his normal job with Navy Imagery. From all of the YE Crew: many thanks to both of you for your efforts during the past 9 days, you will be missed!!.  By 1430 today we had achieved everything that we needed to do In Wellington so once we had completed our Customs departure requirements the lines were cast off and in front of a large number of spectators we quietly departed our berth at Queens Wharf at 1500.  Once clear of the berth the ship was brought under a modified sail plan as we completed our 12nm pilotage out of the very scenic Wellington Harbour. Once back in Cook Strait I initiated a man overboard exercise (only a lifebuoy gets thrown into the water). We complete this type of exercises on a regular basis so that it becomes second nature to the Crew on what procedures they need to go through to successfully recover someone from the water should this be required. As with all of our safety drills so far this voyage this exercise went extremely well and it clearly demonstrated to me how well this Crew is going.  The current time is 2030 (NZ) and we are located 10nm to the south of Cape Palliser (most southern point of New Zealand’s North Island) sailing on a very broad port reach under a modified sail plan.  The current forecast is for the wind to back and strengthen from the south west overnight which are the conditions that we have been waiting for. We currently have 4,700NM to go to reach Cape Horn!!  Note: Captains Log is not sent when the ship is alongside in port. Captain also requires some R&R.   Until tomorrow, take care  Yours AyeCaptain Gav 

Latitude/Longitude:

41° 41' South / 175° 12' East

Conditions:

Currently located 10nm to the south of Cape Palliser and experiencing moderate 10-15kt northerly winds with a .5m NE swell