Tasman Passage

Hi Everyone,                     Welcome to day two of our voyage. The Youth Crew awoke to a overcast but fine Tasmanian morning and were a little slow to get up on deck at 0630 for their first Early Morning Activity (EMA). Given our picturesque anchorage we decided to start our morning with a refreshing swim to properly wake everyone up before letting them loose on Chef Keely’s huge breakfast. Morning brief and cleaning stations (Happy Hour) followed then it was straight into first climbs of the foremast. These climbs took just over three hours to complete but during this time all of the Youth Crew managed to safely make it to the topgallant yard (highest yard) which was a major achievement.At 1300 the Youth Crew were given a detailed Safety Equipment brief by Jimmy our resident Safety Equipment specialist then on completion we weighed anchor, departed Snug Bay and proceeded out into Storm Bay where the Staff Crew gave a demonstration on how to set fore and aft sails before handing the Youth Crew over to their Watch Leaders for sail setting and furling drills.By late afternoon the Youth Crew were proficient at setting and furling most sails so we called the ship to tacking stations and in light conditions completed our first set of tacks/wears as a crew which consolidated an extremely good day of sail work.Early this evening we passed through the spectacular Tasman Passage which is the narrow passage between Cape Pillar and Tasman Island then once clear altered our course to the north and in light to moderate northerly conditions commenced our passage north along Tasmania’s East Coast.The time is now 2000 and we are currently located 2.5nm to the east of Cape Hauy motor sailing in light NNE winds. Overnight we will continue to stay close to the coast as we make our way up to the beautiful Wine Glass Bay where we plan to anchor late tomorrow morning.Until tomorrow evening, take care. Yours AyeCaptain Gav