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Flinders Island
Ahoy there Shipmates,Overnight the ship continued motor-sailing towards Flinders Is in a 10-15 kn breeze that started from the south-east and eventually backed to north-westerly by the morning watch. Engineer Mark (Horto) and I commenced the ‘Captain’s Setting and Furling Drills at 0700, which enable us to evaluate each watch’s ability to safely set and furl sails, without staff present. This is a requirement before progressing to Command Day. All three watches passed the assessment. On completion I issued the youth crew with my ‘Captain’s Challenge’ which was to set all of the Fore-and-Aft sails and navigate us into Marshall Bay on the western side of Flinders Is, our planned anchorage for tonight. The youthies commenced my challenge at 0930 and by 1045 we were well on our way into the bay. So as to allow us to get everyone ashore as soon as possible after lunch we took control of the Ship back from the youth crew then and by 1100 we were anchored in the north of the bay, just south of Leeka.Following lunch we ferried the Youth Crew ashore in the Seaboat for some exercise and to have a break from the Ship for the first time in 4 days. The last boatload of crew returned onboard at 1700 and once everyone was accounted for and had showered I gave my Command Day briefing.At 1800 we enjoyed a ‘Teak Deck’ BBQ on the upper decks cooked by Chef Marcus and Watch Officer Evan (Salty the Seadog’s alter-ego) while we enjoyed the views of the Marshall Bay foreshore. At 1900 I gave the youth crew an hour to conduct their command day elections. At 2000 Youth Crew Captain Isaac Hampton provided me with a copy of his able-bodied crew list for command day.Congratulations to all members of the Youth Crew for what they have achieved in the Voyage so far and to those successful office holders for Command Day. Next we screened the film ‘Around Cape Horn’, which details the adventures of Captain Irving Johnson when he sailed as an ordinary seaman through storms around Cape Horn onboard the massive bark ‘Peking’.The intention is to remain in our current anchorage overnight. Staff will weigh anchor mid-morning tomorrow and close the distance from Devonport before handing over the Ship to the Youth Crew at 1300 tomorrow. That will begin the adventure and challenge that is Command Day in Young Endeavour.Until tomorrow evening when we will also hear from Youth Captain Isaac.Yours AyeCaptain Mike
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Weather - fine, partly cloudy, Wind: NW at 3 kn, Swell - nil, Temp: 18 deg. C
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Dear readers,
STS Young Endeavour is, by the definition and origin of her name, about Aussie youths trying hard to achieve something difficult. This voyage certainly provided that... and then some. A challenging experience from all angles and areas. Yet the Youth Crew prevailed and found success. They should therefore be justifiably proud of themselves for persevering, seeing the silver lining and never wavering in their mission to have a great adventure. I am very proud of all of them and I'm sure you are too!
9 Days ago 23 Youth Crew from all over Australia, came together to sail this vessel, have fun and challenge themselves. They have not only done that, but have faced and overcome fears, and learnt a lot about themselves and each other.
They leave with new skills, improved persistence, resilience and adaptability, as well as generally knowing they are more capable than what they probably thought. And of course, having made great new friends - most probably, friends for life. It never gets old for us staff members, as we truly love our work.
Fair winds and following seas.
Captain Adam Charlie Farley+
