Captain's Log

V08/21 Airlie Beach to Cairns

21 July 2021

Sea to Dunk Island

Ahoy there from the Young Endeavour! Today started with the Blueys leading the way into Captains Setting and Furling, followed by the rest of the Watches. All of us passed and received a bounty of TimTams for our hard work.
Next on the agenda was Demonstrational Tacks, in which two members of each Watch were given instructions on the Bridge side of tacking and wearing ship. Very interesting to see the different perspective of the Command team, and will be an essential part of our Command Day. Then after Sail Master Emma had pulled us back on course with our last tack, she sprang her last surprise on us. The Sail Master challenge was underway! To complete this we had to furl all our set sails ready for anchor, without any guidance from the Staffies. Without too much confusion, all sails were furled, and we motored into anchor just off the lovely Dunk Island. The pool was declared open shortly after and the yardarm swing set up! After an impressive demonstration by our resident Englishman the rest of us followed into the deep blue sea. Jumps were also conducted off the â€˜bowspritsualâ€™, and some great photos were taken. Everyone had a fun time even those who only watched!
Last, but certainly not least, we had our Command Day Elections. Nominations were made, and anonymous votes were cast. May we present, drum roll please, our Youth Command Team! We have Matt from White Watch as our Captain, Sophia from Red Watch as Sail Master, Nick from Blue as Navigator, Philly from White and Matt from Blue as our Watch Leaders, and Ronda from Red, Zoe from White as our Master Chefs.

Thatâ€™s all for now, weâ€™ll see you again tomorrow for our big day.
Thor and Gazza from White Watch

—————————————————-

Thank you Thor and Gazza for that. Tomorrow morning I hand the keys to the Ship over to Youth Captain Matthew Frazer for 24 hours to get us to the hand-back point and complete as many of the Command Day tasks as possible.

Until tomorrow evening, when it will be approximately half way through Command Day and we will be at sea making ground towards Cairns.

Yours Aye, Captain Mike

Latitude/Longitude:

17 55.8' S / 146 07.6' E

Conditions:

Anchored in the lee of Dunk Island Wind: light and variable, Sea and Swell: nil, Weather: Fine and clear, Temperature: 23 deg C

AUTHOR: Commanding Officer STS Young Endeavour

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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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