Day Two – Storm Bay

Hi Everyone,
Welcome to day two of our voyage. The Youth Crew awoke early to spectacular Hobart morning with clear views of Mount Wellington and the Derwent River. Following an Early Morning Activity (EMA) and normal large Young Endeavour breakfast the Youth Crew were mustered on the port side of the bridge and introduced to the traditional ceremony of colours and morning brief. Once completed they conducted their first set of cleaning stations then mustered back on deck for a thorough safety equipment brief given by Taffy the Ship’s Safety Equipment Officer.
Lunch followed then preparations were made to get underway. At 1300 we weighed anchor then commenced the 10nm pilotage out of the Derwent River and into Storm Bay. During this pilotage the Youth Crew conducted setting and furling drills and deck safety with their respective Watch Leaders.
By 1600 we were well into Storm Bay and Dion (Sail Master) reported that he was happy with the progress of the Youth Crew and that he would like to call the ship to tacking stations and to conduct our first set of tacks as a crew. This request was approved and in the 40 minutes that followed we completed three tacks and one wear which consolidated all of the days sail work. Once completed, I congratulated everyone for their efforts throughout the day then it was time for dinner.
This evening we have continued our passage out of Storm Bay and along the way we have been enjoying the spectacular scenery of the Tasman Peninsular.
The time is now 2030 and we have just passed through the narrow passage between Cape Pillar and Tasman Island and have now altered our course to the north east and are now heading along the Tasmania’s East Coast.
Until tomorrow, take care.
Yours Aye
Captain Gav
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Currently located 10nm to the NNE of Tasman Island and experiencing moderate to strong NNW winds with a 1-1.5m NE swell. Our current speed is 5.5kts and the temperature is 19 degrees.
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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!!