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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>
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
At sea under nine sails. Wind Sou'East at 10 kts. Sea State 2, Sky overcast
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Ahoy dear readers, Day 2 of our voyage began at anchor in Hunters Bay, Sydney today. Sailmaster Evan woke us all up for a 0600 Early Morning Activity on deck and Jarod knocked up some delicious breakie and then we all met again at 0800 to sing the National Anthem as part of our (the Royal Australian Navy's) traditional Colours ceremony, where we hoisted our colours (Australian National Flag and the Australian White Ensign). The plan for the day was then hatched before youth crew were introduced to their safety harnesses. Matty our survival and safety equipment expert, taught them all about: donning said harness, conducting buddy checks and the process for laying aloft. Then it was time, ladies and gents, for our young sea puppies to lay aloft for the very first time. And up the foremast they went, aiming for the topgallant yard and out transversely. Not everyone made it to the top however, but I was a very proud Captain regardless. They all pushed themselves hard to go a little further and then another little push, before laying below. Well done shipmates, it's a very difficult challenge and you gave it a good old crack. Back below deck lunch was demolished and then Matty gave them a more thorough safety equipment briefing before weighing anchor at 1450. Sail handling was drilled within Hunters Bay, with setting and furling of the forestaysail and the mainstaysail. Then, when deemed competent, the jib and mainsail were set and we departed Sydney Harbour and out we went into a lumpy Tasman Sea with a 2m southerly swell. Of course there were some green faces folks, but that's how it goes... and the fish were happy :) Impressively, they cracked on setting the topsail and topgallant as we turned to port, shaping a course to the north east. After dinner, Youth Crew turned-to sea watches involving a 4 hour shift of watch-on-deck duties: helming, lookout and rounds responsibilities, while the other watches slept. Anyway, it was a fantastic day... well done Youth Crew. Until tomorrow night, goodnight and sleep tight everybody.Captain Adam Charlie Farley+
Ahoy there shipmates, landlubbers and armchair sailors, it was wonderful to meet the lovely youth crew of Voyage 09/22 today alongside Sub Base Platypus in Neutral Bay, Sydney comprising 21 youth, from NSW, ACT, QLD and NT.
They arrived at 1430 with a few family members in tow, who came to inspect the ship and the staff crew, and to farewell their loved ones for the next 10 days. We were honoured and privileged to witness Gene from the Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council conduct Welcome to Country and a Smoking Ceremony to cleanse the crew and the ship.
I then welcomed Youth Crew and guests, and introduced my skilled and experienced staff crew, as follows: Sail Master – Evan. Navigator – Emma. Watch Officer – Charlie. White Watch Leader – Matty. Red Watch Leader – TJ. Blue Watch Leader - Shaun. Assistant Blue Watch Leader - Ash. Chef – Jarod. Engineer - Hoppy. We then farewelled family and friends, conducted a snappy safety brief and slipped out into Port Jackson. After a beautiful mini harbour cruise, we came to anchor in Hunters Bay as Watch Leaders kicked off the program with ice breakers and ships' tours.
A lovely dinner was served, then the Youth Crew were mustered at midships, where Hoppy spoke of water and plumbing and ships husbandry. Evan spoke to them about youth crew responsibilities and a few ‘guidelines’ to ensure communal harmony and unconditional positive regard for all. We are an intergalactic good vibes only zone, don't you know!
Then I spoke to them about wht to expect over the next 10 days and ways to ensure maximum involvement in the program. Simply, to ‘get amongst it’, was the key. Youth crew then split into their watches again and began their seamanship training, consisting of line handling, safety and general principles, and negotiated Full Value Contracts for the voyage.
It's going to be a big day tomorrow, and so our young sea-puppies turned in for a well deserved sleep. Intention is to remain at anchor overnight, conducting first climbs in the forenoon and departing Sydney Harbour after lunch. The adventure has begun... I wonder where we'll be this time tomorrow night?
Captain Adam Charlie Farley+
