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V01/16 – Fleet Base West to Esperance
Ahoy there everyone,
Welcome to Young Endeavour’s first voyage for 2016, and her first domestic Youth Development voyage since December 2014. Our journey commenced here at Fleet Base West, HMAS Stirling today and will conclude in Esperance, in 10 days. It will take us around the most south-westerly point of mainland Australia, in Cape Leeuwin before we head east towards Albany and then onto Esperance Bay, stopping off at one or two sweet anchorages along the way.
Please allow me to introduce our crew:
Captain – Adam
Sail Master – Taffy
Navigator – Matt
Watch Officer – Paige
White Watch Leader – Kenny
Red Watch Leader – Marcos
Blue Watch Leader – Jordo
Chef – Jenko
Engineer – Horto
The Voyage commenced at 1600 today when the Youth Crew arrived onboard and met the crew. They were then divided into their watches (Red, White and Blue) and undertook a few ‘ice-breaker’ activities to get to know one another. That was followed by a tour of the Ship and then dinner.
Once we had cleaned up from Jenko’s lovely dinner, I had a chat to the Youth Crew about what their voyage would entail. On completion, Taffy, as Sail Master, gave his talk about some of the rules and safety aspects of Young Endeavour before giving a safety aloft brief and a demonstration on how to climb the foremast. On completion I undertook a harness confidence check for all members of Youth Crew. This involved inverting each one in their harness to prove they would not fall out. This is our final safety check prior to commencing our first climbs.
Then this evening, with some nerves and a great deal of courage and determination every member of the Youth Crew made their first climb to the Topgallant yard. A very impressive effort as we do not always get a 100% success rate. Then after a hot cup of cocoa the crew turned in for their first nights sleep onboard Young Endeavour.
In the morning we plan to get underway and sail around Rottnest Island before turning south and shaping a course for Cape Leeuwin.
Excitement and enthusiasm levels are high and I have a very good feeling about this voyage.
Until tomorrow, take care.
Yours Aye,
Captain Adam
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Currently alongside Fleet Base West at HMAS Stirling. Wind is from SSE at 20 knots. Temperature 22 degrees.
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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!!
