Stonehaven Bay, Hook Island – Whitsundays

Ahoy shipmates and welcome to day 6.It’s Dion here again to fill you in on the day’s activities. Overnight each of our watches conducted a teamwork and communications challenge. The activity definitely throws all of our tall ship sailors in the deep end and pushes them to boundaries that they wouldn’t have anticipated only 24 hours ago. They all did a brilliant job and are coming together nicely in their tight little units. Today the wind came in (from the south at 25 knots) and we did some quality sailing and got one of the square sails out for the first time. In all, the bond and ultimately the teamwork on display is very pleasing and has set a very high bar. I’ll now hand over to Keeley, Jonah and Livvy now to fill you in on the activities from their perspective.Until tomorrow, fair winds, Sailmaster Dion           Ahoy there maties from Keeley, Jonah and Livvy. After a jam-packed morning, starting off with a bit of whale watching on Livvy’s sunrise watch, a hearty breakfast from the world’s greatest chef and Jonah and Keeley laying aloft to cast loose the topsail gaskets (in rough conditions), STS Young Endeavour sailed for the first time with no help from either of our engines. Next up was a true blue lunch of meat pies and chicken. Following this, the youth crew attempted numerous rotational tacks (and a wear). After only just getting the hang of our own tacking stations, we were set free to learn the various other tacking positions on the ship. Initially feeling like headless chooks, the youthies eventually completed multiple successful tacks with help from our beloved staffies. Feeling very accomplished, the staffies decided it was only fair to reward the crew with a snorkelling trip to Manta-Ray bay, where we saw an array of different sea life including sharks and sea turtles. After our snorkel, each watch sat down to talk about how the trip was going for them so far, sharing goals for the rest of the voyage as well as discussing our new found respect for one another. Mentioning the food in the youthies log is becoming a bit cliché, but we believe that because we have been so well fed, our enthusiasm for everything we do has only increased. After a brilliantly prepared cheese platter and BBQ organised by our junior Masterchefs: Ellie, Zach and Bree, the egg drop egg-stravaganza began. Each watch was required to tell the story of how their watch leader (the egg) ended up in the situation of being dropped out of a plane (the lower top platform), then construct a contraption that would allow them to be dropped safely without being scrambled. Congratulations to Whities and Reddies for safely landing their precious cargo and a special mention to Steph for coming up with the best story. Every day manages to top the last on this voyage and we can only look forward for what follows what has already been such a surreal experience. Shoutouts:Jonah – Hello Mum, Dad, Zara, Josh, Leroy and Lightning. Just want to let you all know that I am having the time of my life and I cannot wait to tell you all about it.Keeley – Hey guys, such a fantastic time on this voyage, can’t wait to tell you about it when I get home… miss the animals at home LLivvy – Hey Mum, Dad, Cooper, Molly, Demi and Jorja, missing you all. Having an amazing time out here sailing, and can’t wait to tell you all about it when I get back.
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ARRRGH, ahoy there from the spectacular Jervis Bay! We’ve all been taken A-back by the crystal clear blue waters and snow white sands.
After a well deserved sleep in these sheltered waters which was a refreshing change to clinging to our bunk racks for dear life for the past few days, the ship rose to another banger of a morale tune “sung” by Blue Watch. Brekkie was fun after the early morning activity to get us all up and moving. We held another round of competitive not-competitive rope races which culminated in smashed eggs on deck and the mummification of said egg smashers.
Roast lamb for lunch was prepped by the staffies in the absence of our culinary wizard Steve. Once cleaned up, we took the RHIB’s across to Captains Beach bordering HMAS Creswell which was a mind-blowingly beautiful little spot. Pretty much everyone had a dip in the drink and a roll in the sand and played some creative beach games run by our Suitability legends, Speedy Sam and Eggs.
A few hours at the beach made everyone ready to head back home and attack a teak deck barbeque, devouring cheese platters, steaks, sangas, and salads. With our full stomachs, us youthies initiated the highly anticipated elections for our command day roles. Which will commence sometime around midday tomorrow. We held a vote for each available role that all willing youthies put themselves forward for.
The following roles were voted as follows: Captain – Warwick, Sailmaster – Hugh, Navigator – Ruscoe, Officer of the Watch – Dan, Watch Leader – Nick, Ben, Bridget, Master chef – Emily, Mackenzie, Alyshia
We were greeted after our elections by a low flying anti-submarine MH60-Romeo Helicopter which did a cool fly around our ship. *Thanks Squizz!!* And then watched an amazing film about the rounding of Cape Horn back in 1929 on a 7 story tall sail ship.
Signing off from our anchor watch, Ben and Giles.
“I believe that positive energy and optimism help us to take up any challenge in life and to succeed in even the most difficult tasks. I also believe that positive energy is contagious: We can transmit it to others”


After a rather nonchalant guts watch with the Bluies, Reddies came in guns a blazing, setting our beautiful square sails preparing us for a speedy and eventful day at sea. Scaling (laying aloft) the Foremast, whilst the ship swayed kept the Reddies on their toes, holding on for dear life as they let out the gaskets for the Topgallant and Topsail Yards. A challenging activity to start off our day rewarded with a beautiful sunrise over Starboard.
During the day we participated in a Meteorology Brief led by our resident Nav guru TOMO, learning everything there is about fluffy, rainy and stormy clouds. This was followed by Lunch and a needed Siesta.
Whilst some slumbered, Bluies kept watch. They had brave volunteers to climb both main mast and to the topgallant yard to sea furl the sails.
In the afternoon, our Watches came together to have Mid Voyage Chats, where we had the opportunity to reflect on our voyage goals, experiences and discuss our hopes for Command Day. There were some very heartfelt talks, from overcoming fears, to gaining confidence in working as a team, and we set our eyes upon what we want to achieve in the rest of the voyage.
The first dog (Reddies) (from 1545 to 1745) was full of excitement, with over 50kn winds and up to 50 degrees on the OOOH AAAH meter (heel). Watching the waves break higher than the rails was an exhilarating experience and kept us holding on tight. Sites of sharks and a Cargo ship kept our lookouts entertained, while Callum lead an engaging activity on Charts. At the end of the first dog watch, Nick and Phil braved these treacherous conditions to lay aloft on the mainmast to wrangle the mainsail!
Rockin and rolling, Youthies (the newest salty sea dogs) Hugh, Bridget, and Nick!!