No more Fear of Heights

Situation at 22:30 – You may have noticed that we are anchored in the same position that we were in last night. Never fear, the YC have been quite busy throughout the day preparing for their command day. This morning at 0630 we awoke to the sound of Phil the Mavigator tellingeveryone to don their harnesses and make their way on deck. We were to weigh anchor immediately and proceed to sea. So at 0700 we found ourselves leaving the relative comfort of Refuge Bay and proceeding back out into 30 Kt winds and the waters of the Great Barrier Reef.By 0900 with our full morning routine complete, we turned to the final setting and furling drills for the voyage. This evolutionis specifically designed to ensure the YC are safe to use all the equipment on deck. It was my assessment at 1200 that all the YC were proficient at the use of winches, stoppers, belaying pins and cleats in strong winds, and I therefore announced that the YC were ready to proceed with the next phase of the voyage.By 1230 we were safely back at anchor and lunch was piped, to the joy of the YC, who had worked particularly hard for their mealthis morning. By 1300 with lunch out of the way, I then took the opportunity to brief the YC on how the Command Day would proceed. I outlined the need for the YC to elect a command team, make their prparations and be ready to take command of the Ship at 0800 tomorrow morning. They then proceeded ashore to conduct their elections in the relatively tranquil setting of the beach on Scawfell Island. By 1730 all members of the YC were re-embarked for dinner, and at 1900 Jarrod decided it was time to conduct a very specialSalty Seadog Tale. Following this the YC announced the outcome of their elections and we all had the chance to share in Jarrod’sBirthday Cake. Jarrod turned 34 on 02 Jul however the weather has been such, that a birthday cake has been all but impossible to make until now. With the celebration over, the YC have spent the last couple of hours gleaning as much ‘last minute’ information as they can from the Staff.I look forward to an exciting day tomorrow.Nautical Knowledge:Did you know? Alarm clocks are not used in ships at sea. With a twenty four hour watch system in place, watchkeeper’s will ensure that those people who are to relieve them arewoken up in time to do so. This process is known as ‘Shakes’ which is derived from the original nautical phrase ‘to shake a leg’.Thought of the Day: ‘Your position never gives you the right to command. It only imposes on you the duty of living your life that others can receive your orders without being humiliated.’ – Dag HammarskjoldYouth Crew Entry by Mel Earles, 19 of Launceston;Hi to everyone back home! My experience so far has reached the heights of the topgallant sail looking down at turtles in tropical blue waters, to being a resident member of vomit village”. Still expecting more challenges in the next few days. Having a ball.bye!Youth Crew Entry by Ryan Lindberg