Final Night of Voyage

Ahoy Shipmates,Welcome to the last Captain’s log for Voyage 20/07. Today we had a fantastic day, during which we welcomed a number of special guests onboard for a half day sail out of Geelong.From departing the wharf at Geelong the wind decided to do the right thing and we set the Topgallant and the Topsail and had a great sail down the channel. Prior to turning around we managed to set some fore & aft sails and give the Youth Crew an opportunity to demonstrate their finely tuned skills of setting and furling sails and tacking ship. On completion of these tacks it was time to flash up the engines and make our way back to Geelong and farewell our guests.After our guests disembarked at 1315, we completed harbour furling the square sails, stored ship, and then headed out to our anchorage. Each watch then completed their end of voyage debrief followed by a great BBQ dinner. Tonight we will be conducting the ship’s concert and making the most of our last night together as a crew.As V20/07 draws to a close, it is nice to be able to say what a great time we had together…Until next voyage, Shipmates,Yours Aye,Captain Gav Please find attached a Voyage 20/07 Poem by Kate BrownOn the 1st of DecemberWe joined Young EndeavourExcited but nervousAnd enjoying good weatherThere was Gemma and NathanInkie, Jimmy and DyLia, Sarah, AliceBrooke and SuzieAlex, Tommy, StephShimila and TeegsJake, Peter, RoyAnd of course Mr LeesMaggie, Anita, GambellaKate Red and Kate BlueMeg, Matt and AduraThat’s all the youth crewAnd then there was GavCaptain for the first timeAnd Hector to alwaysKeep us in lineJess, Whips, Jase and LindseyWatch leaders Blue, White and RedSandon, Trish, Sumo and JarodTo keep us all fedDay 1 was interestingAnd full of new thingsSails and ropesLife jackets and ringsWe all climbed the mastA job very well doneSome of us loved itBut for some it wasn’t much funDay 2 began earlyTo the sound of Hector’s voiceGet outta bed youth crewYou ain’t got no choice!From furling to clewingAnd learning to tackWe all came to realiseThere was no being slackNow most of the youth crewWere doin’ it toughHugging the side of the boatAs the sea was a bit roughThat night in our watchesWe looked after the shipOn lookout and steeringBefore off to bed for a kipAt midnight and 4We were called out of bedTo tack the shipBecause land was aheadAt Day 3’s morning briefWe saw Whips in a dressAnd Sumo as NannaHad cleaned up our messPoor Steph with a bung armHad to go see the doctorSo the rest of us had SandonAs navigation instructorThat night there was adventureFor watch white and watch blueClimbing the foremastIn the wind and rain tooDay 4 we all had toGive a good scrub to the deckBefore Trish’s talk on road rulesTo avoid a shipwreckAfter lunch Captain GavGathered us inFor a talk on sailsAnd how they work in the windAnd then a highlight Of our time out at seaWe had anchored at RobeAnd set ashore we were freeThat night a BBQ3 way chats and charadesAll the youth crewWere put on paradeAnd also that nightAnother big treat4 minute showersAnd a full nights sleepDay 5 it began In a different wayAn early morning swimAs a refreshing start to our dayAfter breakfast, with NannaWe had a dance and a singA silly little songAbout a rocket tall and thinApples and onions came outLater that dayGood and bad thingsWe all had to sayEach watch had a chanceTo try something newTacking stations we swappedRed to white; white to blueAs weary young sailorsWe all craved some restBut a tack through the nightWould put us to the testAt morning brief on Day 6There was laughter and funWhen Jase gave birth to JarodThe son of a gunMid-voyage talksAnother lesson from GavDemonstrational tacksHow much fun did we have!The ship was a buzz At the sight of some whalesBut all we could seeWas the splash of their tailsIt was a miserable start to our 7th dayIn the wind and the rainBut at happy hour Hector announcedPrizes for dead flies we all could claimA smooth morning of sailing When out came the sunWe all had time to ���chillax’Before more work had to be doneRope races with SumoHad watch against watchWho knew boat animals bestOr could tie the best knotWe were then put to the testOn setting and furling the sailsCaptain Gav wanted to be sureWe knew buntlines from brailsAnd then it was timeTo hold a big voteFor Command Day positionsWhen we run the boatJimmy and KateWould each lead half a dayWith Shimila and TommyTo stop the boat going astrayThe wondrous watch officersWould be Roy and JakeAnd with Sarah and Teegs on the sailsThere’d be no mistakesThe crew’s biggest worryWere those nominated to cookWith Steph, Suzie and MegWould we all end up crook?That night we were at anchorSo the times were quite cruiseyAnd the youth crew sat downTo watch a sailing movieAnother morning swim on Day 8Got everyone out of bedAnd after happy hour it was to RyeAll the crew began to headUpon return it was backInto the drink for a dipAnd with toasties and tunes we rocked outOn the deck of the shipAt 1300 the games stoppedCoz Command Day had arrivedWe accepted out mission and set a team ashoreFrom where navigation instructions would be derivedThere were several tasks we’d been setThat we knew we could passAnd the first to tick off was our muralWhich really kicked assUp on the bridge Command Team 1Got the ship on its wayBut despite their best efforts the staffies stepped itCoz Young Endeavour had started to strayOnce back at the helm Command Team 1Had us going around and aroundBut through teamwork and good windsOur desired direction was foundOnce on course the ship powered onDespite the wind dying awaySlowly but surely we were headedTo our destination, waypoint A0100 saw it timeFor a change in commandCaptain Jimmy and Co had to keep the shipOn the course that the wind would demandSo on the through he night each watch had their turnAnd to their Captain they were kind Until half 5 in the morning when he woke them to tackAnd then he changed his mindAt morning brief there was laughter with Pirate PeteAnd of course our good Captain JimBut the highlight for all was most definitelyAn appearance by Aunty PingAs the end grew nearer stress levels were highAs we tried to sail to our end destinationAll hands were on deck and we worked as a teamWithout any hesitationWe reached our location with time to spareAnd set our BAT ashoreWhere the 6 raised a flag and our anthem was sungWith the help of 8 moreCommand Day was over and the ship hadn’t sunkDespite all we may have done wrongAs weary young sailors we went to bedAnd let the staffies get us to GeelongThat night a debrief On the past days eventsHeard a mixture ofCritiques and complementsDay 10 we awokeFor a day full of funA half day sail with guestsFrom 9 until 1The weather was goodThough we didn’t sail too farAnd with a film crew on boardWe all felt like starsWe loaded on storesOnce our guests were awayAnd then Harbour furlsFilled the rest of the dayOur end voyage talksDiscussed what we had doneThen a BBQ dinnerAs down came the sunThe end of voyage concertWho knows what that will bringPlenty of laughterAnd perhaps Aunty PingAnd so tomorrow our voyage comes to an endAnd we all go our separate waysBut we’re tied together by what we’ve achievedOver the past 10 daysThe challenge and adventure have been second to noneThese times we’ll always rememberAn amazing experience and the people we metIn those first 10 days of December