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Captain's Log
21 August 2000
Rendezvous with Endeavour
After a balmy night at anchor when Command Day elections where held, a glorious day dawned. After Happy Hour, Brasso Day and a wash down, the youth crew laid aloft to ungasket all squares and the main in preparation for a memorable day of sailing.The replica HM Bark Endeavour departed Mooloolaba Harbour at midday and soon after the brigantine Young Endeavour weighed anchor and made rendezvous with her as she passed through the harbour entrance. The two tall ships then made a majestic departure accompanied by a throng of spectator craft. The sight of two square rigged sailing ships was a sight to behold as the two ships danced around each other in light winds, exchanging the odd greeting and the occasional volley of cannon fire (blank of course) as the ships came within 50 metres of each other.The Youth Crew did an absolutely sterling job of setting all sails in short order and tacking and wearing ship over ten times within an hour. Great job guys – well done.A farewell was signalled to Endeavour and the two ships parted ��� Young Endeavour departing the area at speed in strengthening easterlies and Endeavour making ground south to Byron Bay. Hopefully we will meet again next voyage.What a way to start Command Day. Now the real fun started. At 1400 I handed Command of Young Endeavour to Andrew Foster, 24, of Maitland. The ship was hove to and the Youth Crew quickly and expertly re-set the sails and got underway to meet their first objective – investigating Volcanic activity to the east. The light northerly winds will assist in making good progress and they are displaying very good teamwork skills which will ensure they have a great Command Day and most importantly, fun.Speak tomorrowAndrew Davis
Latitude/Longitude:
26° 32' South / 153° 28'
Conditions:
Current situation at 1800: At sea off Mooloolaba, Course 050, Speed 2, sailing - all sails set, Temp 16, Wind north, 8 knots.
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08 February 2023
Day 11 – Hobart Arrival
Hi Everyone, Welcome to Day 11 and the final day of our voyage. It was a well-rested Youth Crew that mustered on deck for an Early Morning Brief at 0630 this morning. Our anchorage overnight in Sandy Bay had proven to be a good one and we all managed to get a good night’s sleep. Being the last morning Chef Haydon served up a continental breakfast which meant that we all got to help ourselves to toast, pastries, cereals, yogurt and our final pieces of fresh fruit. A shorter than normal Morning Brief followed, then the Youth Crew put on their harnesses, mustered up on deck then ‘manned the yards’ ready for our entry into Hobart’s Sullivan’s Cove. At 0900 we weighed anchor then conducted a slower than normal transit over to Sullivan’s Cove due to the arrival of the impressive Cruise Ship ‘Queen Elizabeth’. Once QE was safely alongside we proceeded to the Princess Wharf where we berthed port side to the No 2 Berth at 1000 where we were welcomed by a good gathering of family and friends and a number of other interested people keen to get a close look at the ship. Once safely alongside the Youth Crew came down from the foremast (lay below) and gathered at midship’s where I presented all of them with Certificates of Achievement and said our final emotional goodbyes. Once the Youth Crew had departed the ship the Staff set about completing ‘end of voyage checks’ and getting ready for our next voyage. On a personal note, I would like to thank all of the Youth Crew of Voyage 03/23 for the effort that you have put in throughout this voyage, you are a wonderful group of young Australians and all of the Staff Crew of Young Endeavour have enjoyed sharing this sailing adventure with you and wish you all the very best for the future. Young Endeavour will stay alongside in Hobart and participate in the Australian Wooden Boat Festival 10-13 Feb 23 before embarking a new Youth Crew for Voyage 04/23 and sailing to Adelaide. We will be open to the public on Saturday and Sunday 11 & 12 Feb so if you are in Hobart drop down and say hello. Until next voyage, take care Yours Aye Captain Gav
V03/23
07 February 2023
Day 10 – Final Night
Hi Everyone, Welcome to Day 10 and the final night of our voyage. Following a peaceful night at anchor the Youth Crew woke to an overcast morning in Port Arthur. Originally we had plans to depart our anchorage early but a leaking grey water pipe required an emergency repair by our engineers, so we delayed our departure and completed harbour furls of the squares (very neat furls) instead. With repairs and harbour furls complete we departed our anchorage and then battled strong head winds and an ugly 2-3m swell in Storm Bay to final make it to the calmer waters of the Derwent River where we came to anchor just off the Hobart Casino at 1920 tonight. Once it gets dark later this evening we will screen a slideshow of memorable moments experienced throughout the voyage then complete our end of voyage admin before settling into anchor watches overnight for the final time for the voyage. That’s enough from me I will now handover to Anna, Kate and Allie who will give you a full run-down of our action packed day. Until tomorrow, take care Yours Aye Captain GavArgh! Ahoy there. This morning the peaceful sleep of the Youth Crew was rudely disrupted by Imagine Dragon’s ‘On Top of The World’, and with great reluctance, we dragged ourselves upstairs to the beautiful view of Port Arthur where we had anchored the night before. To wake everyone up a game of ‘Moose’ was played, which ended chaotically (some of us still in our sleeping bags). After another delicious breakfast involving quadruple-tiered sandwiches and a 15 minute wait for the toaster, the Youthies were ready for morning brief. Liv enthralled us for 10 minutes with a joke that could have lasted for two, featuring Bob the Loser and a pod of bloodthirsty porpoises. Following brief, we split into watches and discussed our end-of-voyage goals and takeaways. We all agreed that this voyage has encouraged us to take every opportunity we could get our hands on, and has resulted in personal growth all round. If you’re reading this and thinking of applying for a voyage, do it! We promise you won’t regret it. Youth Crew were then tasked with the job of harbour furls, which required every Youthie to climb aloft and spread out across the three yards of the foremast – Reddies on the top gallant, Whiteys on the topsail, and Blueys on the course. In raging 18 knot winds, we struggled to fold the sails up into the UV covers whilst holding on for dear life using nothing but the yard and a footrope. Fortunately no one fell off, our biggest accomplishment. All sails were folded successfully, with Blueys doing exceptionally well on the course, earning Chucky’s praise. To determine once and for all the best watch (although it goes without saying Blueys are superior, no biases here), Shaun hosted a round of Zooper Dooper races. The chaos that ensued is indescribable, each watch competing to eat their icy poles the fastest. Brain freeze was inevitable. Unfortunately, Red watch came in first place, with White watch only seconds behind. Blue watch came third, but technically that’s still on the podium. Finally it was free time, with some Youthies heading to bed for a well-deserved rest while the others joined Reddies on their watch, where they jammed out to some music and rode the waves, joined by dolphins. It was hard work though, with the youthies putting up two sails, fighting against the wind. However it was a highlight in everyone’s day when a huge wave came over the bow and absolutely drenched Evan. Pizza night! It was something everyone was looking forward to and Haydo did not disappoint. With six different types of homemade pizzas (nearly 200 slices), we were spoilt once again. As we sailed into Hobart, Blueys took over watch – many of us finishing up bucket list goals we always wanted to do, such as climbing the 33m main mast and taking a selfie on the bowsprit. We were graced with dolphins several times throughout the evening until we finally arrived in Sandy Bay, Hobart, where we will be spending the night at peaceful anchor. Shoutout to the Green family parentals and siblings. I’m a little green and red but having a blast. Can’t wait to see you all soon. Miss you. Love Allie. Shoutout to the Mulcahy family – Mum, Dad, Owen and Lukey. Hope you haven’t killed my fish and plants. See you tomorrow. Love Anna Hey Clarkes – you better be reading these! Miss you and love you all loads – Dad, hopefully I’ll see you tomorrow! Let Grandpa know I didn’t get seasick, he was right. Love Katelyn Signing off for now, Anna, Kate and Allie, proud members of the best watch, Blue Watch.
V03/23
06 February 2023
Day 9 – Command Day Part 2
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