Sailing to Mayor Island

Despite a lack of good sailing wind yesterday afternoon, we made the most out of the fine weather and conducted an inter-watch deck Olympics. Highly spirited and fun contest. As this was occurring the volcano was looming closer and looking very eerie with steam billowing out of a deep crater.At 1600 we entered a small cove of the island. At only 150m from the shore the echo sounder still had not picked up the bottom. The island was steep too and unfortunately we couldn’t anchor – the water was too deep. The smell of sulphur fumes was very strong. I decided to send the youth crew ashore in watches to explore the island and the ruins of a sulphur factory last used in 1920. With all sail furled the ship drifted very slowly away from the island. Once ashore the scene was quite amazing – lunar type landscape, steam billowing from the crater about 1km from the landing site and the remains of the factory. There was also a sign indicating great care to be taken and that to view the crater hard hats – in case of eruption – and gas masks should be used! Not being so equipped we could only explore the landing area and ruins. A tour group were also ashore, who had come by helicopter and boat. After everybody had been ashore, the ship did a quick sunset lap of the island and then sail was set for our overnight passage across the Bay of Plenty. The sulphur fumes from the volcano were certainly good to escape from.Ship sailed overnight in a moderate NW wind. As our destination Mayor Island was to the NW it was another night of tacking at midnight and 0400.This morning we completed a set of tacking drills as we prepare the youth crew for Command Day. After lunch we will anchor off Mayor Island and give everyone the chance to get ashore and explore the apparently pretty island. Mayor Island is volcanic but no longer active and has a fresh water lake in its centre. It is also the centre of game fishing in the Bay of Plenty. Saw a large Hammer Head shark only moments ago – not sure if a swim will be popular this afternoon.

Latitude/Longitude:

37Â° 20' South / 176Â° 17'

Conditions:

Course 280, Speed 5, wind 350/12kts, Partly cloudy, Temp 22

AUTHOR: Commanding Officer STS Young Endeavour

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Ahoy there Shipmates, The youth crew of V07/23 awoke to the soothing sounds of George Harrison’s “I’ve Got My Mind Set on You” (Sail Master Evan’s pick) at a crisp 0630 for a few brisk laps around the deck. After a scrumptious English breakfast provided by the magnificent chef, Hayden, the youth crew assembled on the deck for the Young Endeavour (YE) Working Aloft Harness Brief, followed by the YE Climbing Brief. Both were delivered by White Watch Leader Theresa. We then laid aloft to conduct First Climbs in our relatively sheltered anchorage. Climbs were conducted efficiently, and I was pleased to see that most Youth Crew successfully climbed to the Top Gallant Yard on their first attempt. This was completed by 1100 and the crew then cleaned-up and proceeded to lunch. The morning brief, which had become the afternoon brief, followed lunch and included a rundown of Evan’s Plan for the Day, Navigator Sebastian’s navigational Plan, to get us out of Port Phillip Bay, and his meteorological forecast for the day. Next was the Youth Crew’s first experience with Young Endeavour’s version of ‘Happy Hour’, where the youth crew give the internal living and working areas of the Ship a good clean. The Young Endeavour Ship’s brass bell also received a loving polish. STS Youth Endeavour weighed anchor at 1330 and commenced the transit across Port Phillip Bay and through The Rip. During this transit the watches commenced Setting and Furling drills on some of the Staysails and continued Deck Safety training, supervised by their Watch Leaders. The crew also took the opportunity to conduct a couple of un-alerted exercises to assess that response times to alarms for Emergency Stations and Leaving Ship Stations were acceptable. We exited The Rip at 1530, which coincided with slack water to facilitate an easier transit out of the bay for us. The Youth Crew then commenced watch keeping on the bridge which will be maintained through the night. Their duties will include steering the Ship, acting as Lookouts and conducting Engineering Rounds of the Ship, all of which will result in keeping the Ship safe through the night. The plan is to continue on passage overnight and anchor at Flinders Island tomorrow evening. Yours Aye, Captain Mike

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Day 1 – Geelong to Portarlington

Ahoy there Shipmates, Welcome to the Captain’s Log for Day 1 of Voyage 7/23, Geelong to Sydney. The Youth Crew joined the Ship berthed on the Wave Attenuator Pontoon, adjacent the Royal Yacht Club of Geelong, Victoria. It was a cold, grey and damp Geelong day, but there was no dampening the Youth Crew's spirit of excitement. They embarked the ship at 1500 and were welcomed by myself and the Staff Crew for the voyage, who included: Sail Master Evan, Navigator Seb, Watch Officer Thomo, Engineers Sumo and Mick, Chef Haydo, White Watch Leader Theresa assisted by Trev, Red Watch Leader Hutch and Blue Watch Leader Christine assisted by Sara. We departed Geelong at 1620 and conducted the passage to our overnight anchorage at Port Arlington in drizzly conditions. Along the way the Youth Crew undertook ‘Ice Breakers’ and Ship Tours, followed by dinner. We anchored at 1830 and at 1930 commenced Youth Crew briefings from myself, the Sailmaster, the Engineer and the Chef. These briefings are important day one activities to set the youth crew up for an enjoyable voyage. The intention is to remain at anchor overnight, conduct first climbs after breakfast and weigh anchor after lunch to conduct the passage to ‘The Rip’. We will be aiming to transit out into Bass Strait on the ebb tide at 1545 and commence our passage to the next planned anchorage at Flinders Island. Good night and stay safe. Captain Mike Gough

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Day 9 – Farewell shipmates

Dear readers,

STS Young Endeavour is, by the definition and origin of her name, about Aussie youths trying hard to achieve something difficult. This voyage certainly provided that... and then some. A challenging experience from all angles and areas. Yet the Youth Crew prevailed and found success. They should therefore be justifiably proud of themselves for persevering, seeing the silver lining and never wavering in their mission to have a great adventure. I am very proud of all of them and I'm sure you are too!

9 Days ago 23 Youth Crew from all over Australia, came together to sail this vessel, have fun and challenge themselves. They have not only done that, but have faced and overcome fears, and learnt a lot about themselves and each other.

They leave with new skills, improved persistence, resilience and adaptability, as well as generally knowing they are more capable than what they probably thought. And of course, having made great new friends - most probably, friends for life. It never gets old for us staff members, as we truly love our work.

Fair winds and following seas.

Captain Adam Charlie Farley+

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Sailing to Mayor Island

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