Loving Every Minute

Situation at 20:00- Command day started at 08:00 this morning with the formal handover of command to the Youth Crew Captain, James. The first order of business was to land the Beach Assault Team (BAT) at Noosa and claim a part of the beach for the youth of Australia. Through some innovative means the BAT were able to convince 30 local people tojoin them in the singing of Advance Australia Fair. Overall it was a very impressive turnout.Due to the lack of winds, we weren’t able to weigh anchor until 1130. Once underway, the Youth Crew tried several different sails in an attempt to squeeze every last ounce of speed out of the wind. When they finally secured from tacking stations a fabulous supper of Spaghetti Bolognese awaited them.As I write this, we are Southbound for waypoint ‘Shrek’. The challenge overnight for the Youth Crew is to gain the maximum advantage from what little wind there is as they shape a course to their destination at Caloundra. They have already shown that they can develop innovative solutions to problems. Now they need to ensurethat their teamwork skills are also finely tuned.YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Fact File – The total sail area carried onboard is over 740 square meters and capable of producing speeds of up to 14knots.Thought of the day: Well done is better than well said. Benjamin Franklin.Yours, AyeJohn CowanChristine Lymbery, 18, CanberraWell today is command day. We have been at sea nearly all day, and we can still see Noosa (where we left from) There is almost no wind and it has been a very slow trip. I have climbed to the top of both masts over the last week to do many different things… The view from up there is awesome. I hope to be able to climb more before the end of the trip which is getting closer by the day. Ever since the first day it has been just like one big long day, just with lots ofsleeping and eating. I am having an awesome time, and have learnt heaps and made lots of friends. Have morning watch in a few hours (love the morning watch) so I had better go to bed. Hi toeveryone at home, see you when I get back. Love Christine xxxJennifer Woodgate, 22, Cobar NSWHello all you land lovers. After a week at sea I have decided I don’t want to go back to work or civilisation, this is just too much fun.This morning I was a part of the BAT team, before setting off on a 1.5 mile paddle to shore I was able to get hold of Mix FM radio station where I did a quick interview with the morning show trying to get people down to Noosa Beach. When we arrived there was a photographer from the local paper, who took our photos. I was alsointerviewed by the paper when back on the ship, so all in all this has been a really exciting day for me, not that the rest of it hasn’t been. I’ve also been aloft, I’m bruised, battered and tired, and loving every minute. So a big hello to all those in Cobar (Cobar Blues rule) and to all Brissy guys. I’m off to bed so have a goodone, see ya all when I get back.Jen xxx
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
At sea half way through Command Day in Wind: North @ 5 kts
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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!!