Swaying in Bed

Situation at 20:00: Despite a lack of wind, throughout last night the Youth Crew continued on with achieving the various tasks they were assigned for command day. They tried several different combination of sails, even setting the Fisherman and Main Gaff Topsail. Daybreak saw the Ship in Portland Bay and shaping a course for the end position.By the time command day finished, the Youth Crew had set all but two sails and tacked successfully several times. Throughout thetwenty four hours they were in command of the Ship, they used their teamwork skills to sail YOUNG ENDEAVOUR, and had a lot of fun doing it. The Ship anchored off Portland and command was passed back to Captain John and the Staff Crew.After another set of rope races and lunch, the command day debrief started. The Staff Crew act as facilitators for what is acritical analysis of the command day experience. The aim is for each individual to examine their experience and determine if have learned anything that can be of use in their future lives. It was gratifyingto see a group of young Australians carry out such a frank and open discussion of their strengths and weaknesses. After supper the watches prepared their acts for the Ship’s concert. The concert proved to be a terrific event that had all hands roaring with laughter.The anchor watch has been set and a quiet night is expected. There are several games of Uno, Monopoly and Scrabble being played inthe Cafe, and a small group is sitting on deck at ‘midships chatting away. All hands are tired but have had a good day and are enjoying the chance to relax. Tomorrow we will embark thirty guests for a half-day sail. This will provide the Youth Crew with the opportunity to show off the skills they have learned onboard.YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Fact File: The Ship has a suite of thirteen sails to choose from. These range from the drifter, which is aheadsail used in light airs, to the storm trysail, which replaces the mainsail in winds over 35 knots. The sails are made from dacron, a modern sailcloth that is both lighter and stronger than canvas.YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Glossary: Let Fly, to- The action of letting go the sheets of a sail so that it flaps directly down wind andlooses all its driving force. Letting Fly the headsails is a technique used to reduce the pressure on the forward part of the shipto assist in tacking. Let Go and Haul- One of the orders given in the process of tacking a square-rigged ship, being given when the bow of the ship has just passed across the wind and is about to pay off.LetGo refers to the weather braces and Haul refers to the lee braces.Thought of the Day: When the morning’s freshness has been replaced by the weariness of mid-day, when the leg muscles quiverunder the strain, the climb seems endless, and, suddenly, nothing will go quite as you wish-it is then that you must not hesitate. Dag Hammarskjold.Yours, AyeJohn CowanLCDR, RANHi everybody,Only 2 nights left which is amazing as the time here has just flown. It has been great to learn how to sail, and crossing Bass Strait was just awesome. Luckily the weather is good in Portland at the momentso no-one is sick, just a little tired after command day. I have really enjoyed getting to know everybody on the ship, and it will besad to have to say goodbye to everyone so soon. It really feels like we are part of the ship now, and it will be strange to go back home and not sway in bed. Anyway, just wanted to let everyone know I am having a great time, but it will be nice to get home to dry land and regular sleeping patterns again.Annie