Hervey Bay to Sea

Ahoy Shipmates!
As you all know we’re all having so much fun out here, away from troublesome siblings and house chores. But then again pulling ropes and team coordination ain’t easy. Though on a serious note we are thankful for the experiences aboard Young Endeavour. In the last 24 hours we’ve done a hell of a lot, just like every other day, though we also got some much needed time on solid ground. A beach day on Fraser Island for all the youth crew really seemed to lift spirits and let us forget about the constant rocking and rolling that is life on the sea. We took a speedy and exciting boat ride to the beach and also were lied into the possibility of seeing sting rays. Though it’s ok, maybe someday we’ll forgive Jemma. Upon arriving on shore we found the beach empty, unsurprisingly since it was so early and in the midst of winter. But that didn’t stop us one bit, with many beach games, such as an interesting new version of beach baseball, some very intense bullrush where we got to see fierce rivalries come to light. A failed version of beach volleyball (though we chose to do it in the water…???) and some lucky contenders got to be the net! A fun morning was had by all and we soon returned aboard Young Endeavour for lunch and to prepare to set our sails once again. I hope it’s been mentioned in other Captain’s Logs but our Chef Adam might be the best cook of the seven seas and has consistently surprised and excited us at every meal, and for this we are eternally grateful.
Soon after lunch it was time to start our daily ‘Ropies’ competition, where as a very unbiased writer I can say Red Watch did exceptionally well, as always. Starting with some intense yelling and successful rounds, they pulled through dozens of points. Also finishing the competition with a dry milo eating contest where they were the only ones not to cheat. Though this most definitely did upset White Watch, as usual, who have an embarrassing ego (eek!), and proceeded to even lose points because of such. So with ‘Ropies’ finished (for now….) we proceeded to set sail, to a course us youthies are definitely certain about and a plan we are ‘entirely’ confident in.
We have started preparation to set sails and coordinate ourselves without our watch leaders, and for some this has built confidence though for the most part has made us fear for Command Day, the day we take charge ourselves. With talk of the potential positions we might undertake there are some great candidates that have started to speak up, so not all hope is lost yet. Captain Mike even helped us to further understand sail theory, telling us the how’s and why’s of the sails we set and the courses we take and explained some additional terminology alongside parts of the ship and sails we were most certainly unaware of. Though I won’t deny we’ve been constantly distracted throughout the day by the calls of ‘dolphins!’ only to rush to the side and be met by a usually disappointing empty sea. Though a few sightings did lift our spirits if for a brief moment. And unfortunately I must mention the constant push from our sail master to have a mention in the Captain’s Log, so here Rio, you owe us one.
Signed, yours truly
Cyrus Goulter & Samara Fogarty
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Thank you Cyrus and Samara for your very entertaining narrative of today’s activities. We had planned to conduct some more tacking practice during our transit out of Hervey Bay this afternoon but a total lack of wind put pay to that. We have rescheduled that for tomorrow morning before we anchor at Lady Musgrave Island. Tonight the Youth Crew, during their sea watches, will conduct a team-building and leadership activity and undertake their final sail setting and furling practice, prior to tomorrow morning’s Captain’s Setting and Furling assessment.
Until tomorrow night, Yours Aye, Captain Mike
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Wind: ENE / 11 Kn, Sea 0.5 m, Swell from the East at 1.0 m Weather: overcast with occasional showers Temp: 16 deg C
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ARRRGH, ahoy there from the spectacular Jervis Bay! We’ve all been taken A-back by the crystal clear blue waters and snow white sands.
After a well deserved sleep in these sheltered waters which was a refreshing change to clinging to our bunk racks for dear life for the past few days, the ship rose to another banger of a morale tune “sung” by Blue Watch. Brekkie was fun after the early morning activity to get us all up and moving. We held another round of competitive not-competitive rope races which culminated in smashed eggs on deck and the mummification of said egg smashers.
Roast lamb for lunch was prepped by the staffies in the absence of our culinary wizard Steve. Once cleaned up, we took the RHIB’s across to Captains Beach bordering HMAS Creswell which was a mind-blowingly beautiful little spot. Pretty much everyone had a dip in the drink and a roll in the sand and played some creative beach games run by our Suitability legends, Speedy Sam and Eggs.
A few hours at the beach made everyone ready to head back home and attack a teak deck barbeque, devouring cheese platters, steaks, sangas, and salads. With our full stomachs, us youthies initiated the highly anticipated elections for our command day roles. Which will commence sometime around midday tomorrow. We held a vote for each available role that all willing youthies put themselves forward for.
The following roles were voted as follows: Captain – Warwick, Sailmaster – Hugh, Navigator – Ruscoe, Officer of the Watch – Dan, Watch Leader – Nick, Ben, Bridget, Master chef – Emily, Mackenzie, Alyshia
We were greeted after our elections by a low flying anti-submarine MH60-Romeo Helicopter which did a cool fly around our ship. *Thanks Squizz!!* And then watched an amazing film about the rounding of Cape Horn back in 1929 on a 7 story tall sail ship.
Signing off from our anchor watch, Ben and Giles.
“I believe that positive energy and optimism help us to take up any challenge in life and to succeed in even the most difficult tasks. I also believe that positive energy is contagious: We can transmit it to others”


After a rather nonchalant guts watch with the Bluies, Reddies came in guns a blazing, setting our beautiful square sails preparing us for a speedy and eventful day at sea. Scaling (laying aloft) the Foremast, whilst the ship swayed kept the Reddies on their toes, holding on for dear life as they let out the gaskets for the Topgallant and Topsail Yards. A challenging activity to start off our day rewarded with a beautiful sunrise over Starboard.
During the day we participated in a Meteorology Brief led by our resident Nav guru TOMO, learning everything there is about fluffy, rainy and stormy clouds. This was followed by Lunch and a needed Siesta.
Whilst some slumbered, Bluies kept watch. They had brave volunteers to climb both main mast and to the topgallant yard to sea furl the sails.
In the afternoon, our Watches came together to have Mid Voyage Chats, where we had the opportunity to reflect on our voyage goals, experiences and discuss our hopes for Command Day. There were some very heartfelt talks, from overcoming fears, to gaining confidence in working as a team, and we set our eyes upon what we want to achieve in the rest of the voyage.
The first dog (Reddies) (from 1545 to 1745) was full of excitement, with over 50kn winds and up to 50 degrees on the OOOH AAAH meter (heel). Watching the waves break higher than the rails was an exhilarating experience and kept us holding on tight. Sites of sharks and a Cargo ship kept our lookouts entertained, while Callum lead an engaging activity on Charts. At the end of the first dog watch, Nick and Phil braved these treacherous conditions to lay aloft on the mainmast to wrangle the mainsail!
Rockin and rolling, Youthies (the newest salty sea dogs) Hugh, Bridget, and Nick!!