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Outward Bound
Ahoy there: Today has been another exciting day for the Youth Crew of Voyage 10/07. The day started off with all hands being called on deck at 06:30 for an early morning swim. Before long there were swan dives being performed from the bowsprit as well as some less graceful cannon balls. At morning brief, the Salty Sea Dog described the nautical origin of the phrase ‘Hijack’. Nana Diesel was hard pressed to make her usual quota of gear left sculling, but a few individuals came through in the end and had to pay the piper for their troubles. After ‘Happy Hour’ (nook and cranny day), each watch presented to Captain John their plan on how to sail the ship from anchor. The plan offered by White watch was chosen and by 10:00 the ship was underway with a large press of canvas set and drawing well. After a magnificent lunch (thanks Jarrod) it was time for ‘rotational and demonstrational’ tacks. In this activity, each member of the Youth Crew has the opportunity to observe the process of tacking the ship from the perspective of Captain John. They are also able to experience other tacking positions then the one normally assigned to their watch. Combined with the experience of sailing from anchor, these activities are designed to enhance the sailing and organisational skills of the Youth Crew in preparation for command day. We have shaped a course to exit the Great Barrier Reef at Palm Passage and proceed into the open sea. An increased swell has resulted in a few green faces but despite this all hands are glad that the wind has picked up a bit and we are once again under sail. Tonight the watches will be busy conducting the major team building exercise of the voyage. With no staff`assistence, each watch will be required to carry out a relatively complex task that they are not familiar with. The aim is to demonstrate the importance of teamwork, tolerance and the benefits to be gained by actively listening to all members of the group.Thought of the day: A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyse a new problem, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialisation is for insects. Robert A HeinleinJohn CowanCommander, RAN
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Wind Sou' East at 11 kts, Sea 1 metre, clear skies. In Palm Passage outward bound for sea.
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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!!
