Making Progress South

Situation at 20:00- Overnight, the watches made the most of the time at anchor conducting team building exercises and setting and furling drills. At08:00, we weighed and sailed out of Jervis Bay and shaped a course for Merrimbula. The weather had moderated and we made good time. At morning brief, Engineer Rags made another large harvest for the scran bag and Salty Sea Dog Damo enlightened us about the nautical origins of the pharse ‘Hijack’.After happy hour, Damo presented an animated and interactive lecture on the rules-of-the-road. The Youth Crew are now well versedon the various colours of lights shown by ships when they meet at sea. After lunch, XO Luke put the Youth Crew through their pacescompleting a communications exercise, which highlighted the importance of clearly and concisely passing on information.Chef Stony outdid himself by preparing a magnificant Supper, and for once he had a full house lined up waiting to eat.As I write this, we are sailing under light airs and making slow progress South. The wind has died off and the sails are slatting back and forth as the Ship rolls in the swell. We have all plain sails set,but not enough wind to fill them. The weather has not cooperated so far this voyage, but despite this the Youth Crew remain tremendously motivated and are developing their skills every day.YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Brain Teaser: Why do we call them apartments when they are so close together?? Why do we drive on a parkway….but park in a driveway?? How do ‘Do Not Walk on the Grass’ signs get there??YOUNG ENDEAVOUR GOLSSARY: Tack-To change direction of a vessel by moving the bow through the wind so that the wind passes from one side of the bow to the other.Wear- The manoeuvre by which the stern of a vessel is moved through the direction from which the wind is blowing.Thought of the day: The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.Yours, AyeJohn CowanLCDR, RAN>