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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Thank you Tarvi, Kaeden and Matt for your narrative of today's events. Intentions are to remain at anchor in Hunters Bay, just off HMAS Penguin, home of the RAN Diving School, a place close to my heart, having spent many a day there under training as a young Officer! The plan is to weigh anchor and proceed to HMAS Waterhen, in Waverton, to pick up our Community Day Sailors from the Windgap Foundation and take them for a sail around the harbour for 3 hours. The Youth Crew will help us host our visitors and give them an experience of Young Endeavour. We will drop them back to Waverton and then proceed to anchor in the harbour where we will have a good view of the Bridge and the Opera House for the Youth Crew's last night onboard. Until tomorrow. Yours Aye, Captain Mike