Smiles All ‘Round

Situation at 21:00- Voyage 06/03 started today at 16:00 when, with a full complement of Youth Crew, YOUNG ENDEAVOUR sailed from Portland Harbour. It was a short transit to the anchorage position where we will remain until Tuesday afternoon, briefing the Youth Crew on thevarious elements of safety they need to become aware of.Once at anchor, the Youth Crew, by now divided into three watches, were given a tour of the ship prior to them being introduced to Chef Polly and the masterpieces he produces in the Galley. Aftersupper, first Captain John and then XO Chooka formally welcomed the Youth Crew onboard with their talks on what to expect over the next ten days. By 19:30 the first climb aloft was underway. All handssuccessfully climbed up to and over the lower top. A brisk wind made for a chilly climb, but back on deck Chef Polly served up a hot mug of Kye and there were smiles all around. The Blue watch have closed up while the Red and White watches trundle off below to try out their bunks for a few hours.Overnight the watches will complete their second climb aloft, this time to the T’ Gallant yardarm, as well as learn several of the more frequently used knots, bends and hitches. All hands will rug up so as to make their climb as comfortable as possible.The Staff Crew for the voyage consists of: Captain John, Executive Officer Paul (Chooka), Navigator Aaron (Bullet), WatchOfficer Lauren (Lolli), Assistant Watch Officer Jarrod, Red Watch Leader Donny, White Watch Leader Sheeri-Lee, (Shez), Blue Watch Leader Ben (Stony), Engineer Simon (Stewy) and Chef Chris (Polly).YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Fact File: The Staff Crew consists of sailors and officers from the Royal Australian Navy. They are speciallychosen for both their professional competence and their ability to work with and relate to young Australians. They are posted to YOUNG ENDEAVOUR as part of their normal career progression. The Youth Crewconsists of young Australians aged 16-23 from NSW, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland, the ACT and Tasmania. There are 12 females and 12 males who will participate in the ten-day voyage program.YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Glossary: Watches- The division of the 24 hours of the day at sea into periods of duty of 4 hours. Thus thereshould be six 4-hour watches in a day, but as this would entail ship’s companies, organised into two or three watches keeping the same watches every day, the period from 16:00-20:00 is divided into two 2-hour watches known as the first and last dog watches. Sheet- A purchase or single line used for trimming a sail to the wind. Asquare sail set on a yard has two sheets, one to each clew, while fore-and-aft sails have two sheets bent on to the single clew.Thought of the Day: I regard it as the foremost task of education to insure the survival of these qualities: an enterprisingcuriosity, an undefeatable spirit, tenacity in pursuit, readiness for sensible self-denial and above all, compassion. Kurt Hahn.Yours, AyeJohn CowanLCDR, RAN