Devonport Community Day Sail

Ahoy there Shipmates, A well deserved night’s rest in the Badgers Point anchorage was had by all. I think everyone onboard slept very soundly and for good reason, most were exhausted from Command Day. That didn’t stop Sail Master Baggers from waking us up early to the sound of AC-DC’s ‘It’s a long way to the top’. We had a busy program for today hence we needed to weigh anchor and get going towards Devonport, where we would pick up our Half Day sailors. By the time an upper-deck wash down, Morning Brief and Happy Hour were completed, we were entering Devonport harbour. We berthed at Wharf 3 at 0900 and embarked our 38 Community-Day sailors from the Richmond Fellowship Trust, the ADF Reserve Support organisation, some local media, local YEYS ambassadors and some Pilots and their families from the TASPORTS organisation. We departed the wharf at 1000, exited the port limits and spent the next 3 hours sailing, firstly to the north east of Devonport and then we reversed course. We set fore and afts and the Topsail and Top Gallant square sails. During the 3 hours the Youth Crew hosted the visitors, conducting tours of the Ship, involving them in setting and furling sails and generally spending time with them. We berthed back at the Wharf 3 at 1300 and farewelled our guests. Once we’d done a quick tidy-up of the Ship the Youthies proceeded ashore with their Watch Leaders to conduct the End of Voyage Chats. When that was completed we conducted the harbour-furl of the square sails. To achieve this all of the Youth Crew proceeded aloft on the yards to fold-up the sails and then stow them inside their UV covers. Next was dinner and Marcus treated us to a pizza night! After dinner we heard brilliant poems about the voyage by Bridgette and Will, which was followed by an epic slide show, depicting the voyage, composed by Melinda and Ashleigh Jane.  After another massive day we encouraged everyone to have an early night. Until tomorrow,  Yours Aye Captain Mike