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Captain's Log
V12/17 Mackay to Brisbane
26 September 2017
Final Day
Ahoy there Shipmates, Sail Master Bagers woke the crew at 0630 for a quick early morning activity for the Youthies, then it was breakfast and pack their bags. After the final Morning Brief, during which Salty explained the origin of the expression ‘2 – 6 Heave’, and Happy Hour for the Voyage, Young Endeavour departed HMAS Moreton pontoon at 0900 and the Youth Crew laid aloft in the old Naval tradition of ‘Manning the Yards’ for the formal arrival. We berthed back at Moreton at 1000 in front of family and friends. Following a brief ceremony we said our final farewells to the Youth Crew of Voyage 12/17. It has been a magnificent journey and one not to be forgotten. The Ship will remain in Brisbane until Mon 02 Oct when we will embark a new Youth Crew for Voyage 13/17, Brisbane to Newcastle. Yours Aye Captain Mike                                            Â
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V20/25
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Day 9 of Voyage 20/25 was sensational. The dawn broke in a grey sky with light 10kn South-Easterly winds giving us just enough drive to achieve the arrival time of 0700L at Line Zulu demarking the entrance to Sydney Harbour. Our elected Command Day crew were incredibly well supported by the rest of the youth crew and their performance was inspiring.
Navigator Matt drove the ship into harbour and berthed on the northern arm of HMAS Waterhen. In the previous 24 hours the ship had used 63% of its water overnight. An amount far too great to organically re-make using the Reverse Osmosis units. The precise cause of the excessive water use is thought to be multiple Hollywood showers and some poor fresh water discipline compounded by flow-restrictors in the pipework not doing their job! No problem too great for the crew of STS YE though. We berthed, plugged in the 3 1/4 hose and within a few hours Engineer Dan had us back up at 100%.
While we refilled the freshwater tanks the youth crew rested. I had taken back the ship and the sense of relief from the crew was palpable. Chefo Kingy served up some sensational duck breasts and salads to reinvigorate the crew and we reset ourselves for the afternoon.
HMAS Diamantina graciously offered to provide the crew with a ship tour and a discussion around Mine Warfare and what life is like on a Navy Ship. Thank you to the crew for facilitating this we are very appreciative!! On return to STS YE we focussed on our Command Day Debrief discussions. These are key to drawing life lessons from this unique experience and the crew were characteristically honest, open and engaged. Excellent chat lead to some profound reflection and we all walked away a little bit wiser. Perhaps a little bit more resilient, confident, aware of our own limits and certainly with a whole lot of new friends for life having had that shared experience.
Tonight we harbour furl our square sails and clean up the upper decks after 9 days at sea. We are ready to receive our Community Day Sail guests tomorrow and showcase this beautiful ship and talk about our adventures.
The crew will go to bed tonight feeling fulfilled, proud and hopefully satisfied with all of their efforts. All we asked was they give everything that have and that they did. Respect!
Youthies will round out the Captains Log tomorrow night - check in tomorrow to read all about it!
Captain Leups Out +
V20/25
15 December 2025
Day 08 – V20/25, Sydney -Sydney
Ahoy there land lovers!
Our youthies have officially become salty sea dogs taking over the ship for the long-awaited command day. Votes have been tallied and results are in… Drum roll please…
Captain – Mitchell
Sail Master – Hamish
Officer of Watch – Mac
Navigation – Noah
Watch Leaders – Milly, Ed, Soren
Chefs – Maddy, Erin, Jade
To prepare the youthies for the day ahead, we had a movie night, featuring “Around Cape Horn” to get everyone inspired for the day to come. We settled into our anchor watches feeling mixed feelings of nervousness, excitement and hope.
The morning started with music playing through the pipes and Kingy’s famously loved breakfast as the youthies prepared for Captains briefings and the intense 24 hours ahead. Officially taking over the ship at 1000 as staffies celebrated on the deck with a musical number and “holiday” clothing.
Youthies gathered on the deck to listen to our new Sail Master Hamish and Captain Mitchell diving straight into the tasks and goals as hand. 6 youthies paddled the dingy to the neighbouring beach in search for the missing navigational instructions. Once our navigation packet was received, our Navigation Officer Noah and Officer of Watch Mac got to work determining our route to Sydney. Whilst the crew got started on the deck mural for the staffies.
With our bellies full and faces slightly burned from the previous beach day, we all went aloft before practicing our tacking lines. At 1600 we weighed anchor, youthies covered the deck heaving in the sheets.
Now we all pull in for the night to come and the learnings that come with and experience of this nature and intensity level.
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V20/25
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Day 07 – V20/25, Sydney -Sydney
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With great appreciation to all of the staffies supporting us during these past 6 days, and now 7, we are confident that we have been taught well and can make them proud yet again after all of their dedication and commitment to us.
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Erin, Mitch, Noah – writing to you from the shimmering waters of Hungry Beach, Broken Bay
