The Rigours of the Sea

SITUATION AT 1900After a very relaxing night at anchor, the YC were awoken at 0630 to a rousing chorus from our morning watch keepers. We all madeour way on deck for some early morning fun and games before a nice breakfast, then into our morning routine which has become wellestablished. The bright work around the Ship now looks fantastic and the YC are developing a real sense of pride in what is now becoming ‘their ship’.Follwing morning tea the YC got stuck into an assignment where they were called upon to devise a way of sailing to and fromanchor without the use of engines. Rather they had to apply the lessons of yesterday’s sail theory lecture, and apply the conceptsof drive and balance to their solutions. They performed admirably and impressed all staff members with the amount they had learned in such a short period of time. It was then time to wiegh anchor and proceedback to sea. This was accomplished with minimal fuss and we were soon sailing out of Broken Bay with all plain sail and making our way to the north east with a light easterly breeze.After yet another fantastic meal from Polly’s Galley of Goodness, Lolly (WO) gave a fascinating lecture and demonstration ofthe International Rules for Prevention of Collision at Sea. The YC soaked up the information and are rapidly gaining all the information they will need for their Command Day, which is just around the corner. During the lecture the breeze began to pick up to areasonable level and we decided that we ought to take advantage of the situation and conduct some more tacking drills. The YC are now becoming quite proficient at this aspect of sailhandling.This evening we have had a fairly relaxing time with Watch Leaders taking advantage of the opportunity to take their watches foranother climb aloft. We have learn’t how to set another two sails with both the Fisherman and Main Gaff Topsail making an appearance. Unfortunately due to the direction of the wind we have yet to achieveall our sails out at once, however the YC have now been exposed to almost all the sails at some time or another.Youth Crew Entry from Dave Breznik, Age 19 of Queanbeyan:Hey Ma,Pa,Grams,Gramps,Pete,Sam, and everyone else, I have not succumbed yet to the huge spew factor out here, I am a minority.Nearly half way through already and I can feel that im not going to want to go home, two days ago I may have had a different answer with all the tacking at 3 in the morning and the constant rocking on some days but now that we know so much more in a limited time frame I have changed my mind already. The team work which goes on and being able to do things with people who you didn’t know less than a week ago is an indescribable experience. There is so much happening that I have not even thought of home once until now. I totally recommend thisonce in a life time experience to anyone who wants to have an awesome time in a totally different environment. The staff crew rock,and I think I’ll be coming away at the end of the voyage a different person, but for the better. I’ll see everyone soon and still hope I stay a minority. Later.Youth Crew Entry from Sian Cameron , Age 18 of Melbourne:Hey Mum, Dad, Skye, Pete and all other mates!! Well as we near the end of day 5 of our voyage, it’s kind of hard to describethe experiences I’ve had on onboard. The first few days on board the Young Endeavour were a great shock to me in many ways. Not being a person who becomes ill easily, I succumbed to the rigours of the sea and I really didn’t think I’d get through it all. But now only 48hrs later, I am on top of the world. The people on board, are amazing.Some I feel I’ve known for much longer than only five days and they’re the kind of people I want to know for a long time to come. The short voyage has taught me a lot about myself, and helped me to understand that while we all have limitations on our own abilities, they can be greatly exceeded. I have decided that I’m not going to buy a great big sailing ship anymore, not due to the work involved but the simple fact that I don’t think my stomach agrees with thisocean! I’m well on my way to having the greatest experience ever of my life, and I thank all those who have helped me get here, to you I am greatly indepted. Well I’ll see you all soon, don’t miss me too much. Love you all, Sian.Youth Crew Entry from Erin Wilson , Age 17 of Camden, NSW:Hey Everyone!! Well i’ve been gone for 5 days now and we’re half way though the voyage, it has gone so fast! When we left Sydney Heads I was one of the first to get sea sick, and Mum yes I did really want big hugs from you! It took me about 2 days to completely get over that, now I just think I’m feeling a little bit home sick,cause I miss everyone so much. All the youth crew are easy to get along with and support each other well, which has really helped mebecause it gets confusing trying to remember what rope is what. The staff crew are awesome and know how to have fun, which helps keep a lot of us entertained. I’ve been up the mast and still dont feelcompletely comfortable, but I’ve got heaps of photos and will be taking lots more. So far for me I have learned a lot about sailing a ta0l ship and the people I’m with, and a lot about myself. Remember I’m missing you all so much, and cant wait to see everyone’s faces.So I’ll see you all on Thursday morning, if I don’t speak to youbefore hand.. LOVE YOU ALL, SO VERY MUCH..YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Mariner Speak:Luff – A sail is said to ‘luff’ when it’s leading edge or the ‘luff’ of the sail starts to fill with the wind from the wrong side and begins to flap. Then it is said to be ‘luffing’. Any further turn towards the wind will put the sail aback.YOUNG ENDEAVOUR Thought of the Day:’Why should we be in such haste to succeed and in such desparate enterprises? If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away.’- Henry David ThoreauMore to follow,Paul BarrieActing Commanding Officer