Captain's Log

V14/12

8 October 2012

HALF DAY SAIL

Ahoy there,Well what a day, after a nice quite night the Youth Crew were awoken at 0630 by Sail Master Tim and from that point on I donâ€™t think it slowed down one iota. After breakfast and a snappy morning brief the Youth Crew went below to start preparing the ship for our guests that we were hosting today from a disability group called parent 2 parent. While the Youthies were cleaning the staff weighed anchor and got the ship underway. Soon enough the ship was ready in all respects to come alongside and as we rounded the bend leading up to the berth we were shocked to see our berth filled by another vessel. With some rapid planning on the fly we soon reset for a starboard alongside and made a safe approach.Once alongside the Youth Crew kicked into overdrive with the final preparation for receiving our guests. It was at 0930 that our very excited passengers embarked for a great little sail around the bay. With everyone onboard and the safety briefs completed we cast of the bow lines once more and headed into the harbour. We were very lucky to be able to show off our fine navigation and sail handling skills to all onboard and a few of the harbour control people watching on the cameras/After a very satisfying day out sailing it was with great reluctance that I had to bring the ship back alongside and disembark our guests for the day. They all left with massive grins on their faces and there were quite a few handshakes and hi fives to be had. It was great honour to have such a fine bunch of Young Australians visit the ship and have a sail. Once our guests were ashore there was a brief opportunity to grant some shore leave to the Youth Crew so they could have a chat with their Watch Leaders about the voyage. After this debriefing session an impromptu game of soccer sprung up and it was with great difficulty that the Sail Master managed to convince the Youth Crew to come back onboard (apparently the winning goal was never scored).Once the last Youth Crew Member was back onboard the final round of rope races was held and the prize announced (I wish I could tell you but itâ€™s a secret). Then the Youth Crew proceeded aloft to harbour furl the squares and make the ship a little more ship shape and Bristol fashion.We had a BBQ dinner followed by the post voyage admin which culminated in a slideshow of a bunch of photos from the voyage accompanied by an outstanding sound track. It was a great way to round out the night and sum up the voyage.A very tired Youth Crew has turned in for the last night onboard Young Endeavour and I think its time I did the same. It will be an early morning tomorrow morning and already half the night has gone by.Until tomorrowCAPT Matt How do I get on an adventure? Just put on your boots and go! Bill Tillman when responding to a question from an army cadetÂ Ps. Sorry for the late post its been a busy night

Latitude/Longitude:

23Â°49's / 151Â°14'e

Conditions:

Wind: SE 15ktsSwell: NilTemp: 15 Degrees

AUTHOR: Commanding Officer STS Young Endeavour

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Day 10 – Exhaustion, elation and satisfaction

Ahoy there readers of this fine journal. We started Day 10 with Captain Warwick and his crew of scallywags still holding the weight of the conduct of the ship on their shoulders. We were motor sailing up the East Coast of Australia with the vista that is Sydney Harbour and the Eastern Suburbs as our backdrop to a beautiful sunrise. The urgency on deck was real as the team pushed to complete as many of their Command Day tasks as they could in the final hours that they had left. We found a Warship outside harbour limits who graciously invited us to fall in astern and escort us in to harbour. We set to work furling sails and increased engine speed as we tried to keep up with the sleek great silhouette of the Frigate. Whilst manoeuvring to take our station the Youth Crew were thrilled to be given the task of firing our cannons on approach to harbour limits. With sail handed in we entered Port Jackson. Sydney Harbour is a busy place and we were detoured around to approach Athol Bay via South of Shark Island to avoid a towing operation underway. Nothing is too much for our Navigator Tommo though and he dynamically repositioned the ship and gave us a tour of Sydney! Once at anchor in Athol and the final minutes of Command Day ticked by the realisation that this was it started to hit home for both Youth and Staff Crew alike. At 1300 I took the ship back from Captain Waz and his band and offered heartfelt congratulations to the team for their 110% effort and massive achievements in the 24 hours that they had. This really is the culmination of the program and the Youth Crew met the challenge with zeal. The debrief process after an ordeal like this is extremely important. So we gave the crew a rest before waking them up with a swim and a rope swing in Athol Bay. Nothing like the crisp water of the harbour to wake them up and re-energise the vibe. The debriefs revealed some profound lessons that will go with our Youth Crew as they leave the ship and return to Australian Society. This ship, this program truly changes each and every individual that joins as one but leaves as a member of a close knit team. Pizza Night closed the day of action and Youth Crew settled into their final night of anchor watches and sleep in their quarters. This has been an amazing voyage for all of us. Our beautiful blue ship with her trim sails and fine lines has delivered us from Hobart to Sydney once again. Look out for us on the Harbour as we will be under the Harbour Bridge by 0915 and firing cannons with youth in the yards on approach to HMAS Waterhen, Waverton at 0945 for a 1000 alongside. Take photos, share them online and help make us more famous than we already are!! Captain Leups Out +

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Day 09 – Command Day – back to the high seas!

Ahoy followers of our Young Endeavour journey! Command Day. We made it.

The beautiful weather at our anchor point at Jervis Bay made for a spectacular day under the command of our fellow Youth Crew! A morning stretch and some wise words from the Ship Crew gave Captain Waz and the team a step in the right direction.

With the new watches all set and ready to go, Captain’s Setting and Furling gave all our youthies the chance to prove their abilities on the high seas. Strong performances from all three watches; Sharkies, Chompers and Narwhals!!

Morning brief gave the Sailmaster a chance to give us the daily orders and help get everyone on the same page. With the staff crew getting ready for a holiday and giving us the ship, floral shirts and party music filled the deck and, with some final preparations, the ship was ours.

The Captain was given a small but very significant envelope that contained the essential, non-essential and completely optional tasks to be done over the course of the next 24 hours. 2 tacks were to be made at a minimum before leaving the bay and safety checks were the essential tasks to start our journey. However.

More amusing, optional tasks allowed some of our youthies to become part of the “Beach Assault Team” while others were put to the task of making a slideshow of the voyage, tying all the knots on the list, etc. These were some activities that bided the time for our incredible navigator - Ruscoe to set out a plan and work together with the Sailmaster - Hugh to create a sail plan.

Tacking stations were the focus for our late afternoon, preparing to weigh anchor and leave such a beautiful bay, for our last stretch of this incredible voyage.

Happy Birthday to the Capitan, Warwick, who turned 24 today! The wonderful MasterChef’s created a “cherry ripe” cake out of rice crispies, coconut, chocolate, and love. With a beautiful ceremony to end our day.

Sailing into the night leaves us the ability to see the lights from our destination. Sydney, here we come!

Wish us luck! From Nat and Tom!!

THE VOYAGE

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