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Captain's Log
Voyage 02/23
18 January 2023
Day 3 – Ahoy Tasmania!
We made it across the Bass Strait!!!!
Overnight we started our first watches and with rain, lightning, passing boats keeping us entertained, however the highlight was the dolphins. Shakira woke us up at 0700 with “We’re in Tasmania” (White watch’s version of her “Waka waka” song).
We had a delicious breakfast then went into the happiest hour of the day, cleaning stations. We anchored officially in Tasmanian waters off Stanley and the Nut just before lunch. Ash cooked up a storm in the galley, with carbonara, pesto and roast lamb on offer for lunch.
With bellies full we had our much needed siesta then Blue watch smashed red and white at rope races, winning extra bonus points (catching the winning egg). It was then time to go ashore. It wouldn’t be an adventure without a bumpy boat ride, thanks ‘Salty Airways’ (aka Salty Kyle the seaboat coxswain). Soaking wet and freezing cold, half the youthies adventured into town while the other half hiked the Nut (a whopping 60 degree slope!) Up top the view was amazing and extremely windy.
After drying off we had some refreshments, then ‘Salty Airways’ brought us back onboard. Hoppy and Ash cooked up a great BBQ with a huge amount of food and a lovely dessert surprise – ‘Hoppy’s Famous Sundae Bar’. Most of the youthies then crammed around two tables in the cafe to play the world’s biggest UNO game (18 players) with Aeryn taking the win!
The whole crew then squashed into the cafe to hear the youthies present their ‘three way chats’ (an activity designed to get to know everyone a little better). Which got a big laugh from all.
Seb our Nav swooped in with his expert Anchor Watch brief, which we will be conducting tonight to keep us all safe while at anchor. Captain Adam Charlie Farley, Tori the Sail Empress and all the staff are helping us power through the challenges we’ve been set. Blue Watch is the best! From CC and Lou.
Shout out: Hola familia! Un besote. Miss you (Saknar dig). See you soon. CC
Shout out: Hi mum and boys, i haven’t fed the fish yet. Best friends at work – I hope you aren’t eating too many KFC chips without me! – Lou.
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Sydney to Newcastle
03 December 2024
Day 9 – Command Day ends in Newcastle
Following a delicious Asian themed dinner by our Masterchefs; Lacey, Yumi, and Crystal, we were officially sailing away! Through the night, weather conditions picked up and sea traffic required us to tack, twice, at different points alongside, keeping regular night watches. Despite the long night, everyone seemed in high spirits in the morning, with most of our sails set as we headed into Newcastle. We entered on a reach, with a sigh of relief that we had managed to sail the ship and make it there on time. From there, we then proceeded to furl all the sails, then climb the yards. As we entered the harbour, the ships cannons were fired to announce our arrival.
After the crew pulled us up alongside, our masterchef's cooked us a lovely spaghetti lunch. We finished our Command Day with a happy hour and a set of rope races for the staffies. Then, we handed over the ship, with the majority of our many tasks complete. After Command Day debriefs and reflections, we spent some time with our watches, before our final round of rope races. Despite a close battle Red Watch emerged victorious.
We now look forwards to a pizza night, and our showcase for some of our creative tasks, before our final night of sleeping on STS Young Endeavour.
Looking forward to seeing family and friends soon,
Murray and Annabelle.
Dear readers,
STS Young Endeavour is, by the definition and origin of her name, about Aussie youths trying hard to achieve something difficult. This voyage certainly provided that... and then some. A real challenging experience from all angles and areas. Yet the Youth Crew prevailed and found success. They should therefore be justifiably proud of themselves for persevering, seeing the silver lining and never waivering in their mission to have a great adventure. I am very proud of all of them and I'm sure you are too!
9 Days ago, 22 Youth Crew from all over Australia, came together to sail this vessel, have fun and challenge themselves. They have not only done that, but have faced and overcome fears, and learnt a lot about themselves and each other. They leave with new skills, improved persistence, resilience and adaptability, as well as generally knowing they are more capable than what they probably thought. And of course, having made great new friends - most probably, friends for life. It never gets old for us staff members, as we truly love our work. Fair winds and following seas.
Captain Adam Charlie Farley - Out+
Sydney to Newcastle
02 December 2024
Day 8 – Command Day
2, 6 Hey There,
On today's episode of Young Endeavour V06A/24, we introduce you to (drum roll please) Command Day!!!
That's right everybody, the youths on board have taken control of the ship. As of 1300 today, we have had full control of the ship and where it is going. After elections yesterday, where we voted on who would take command roles, we now run this show. During the handover, staffies handed us a list of tasks for us to complete during our rule, then took a very graceful dive off the side of the ship (all while dressed in varying costumes, which we thoroughly enjoyed).
The first order of business that we decided upon was, of course, dusting off the rope swing and giving it a whirl. After many backflips, bellyflops and majestic pindrops off the bowsprit, we lifted anchor and were off - 22 youths from around the country driving a tall ship in about the right direction on the vast ocean, off the east coast. As we head into the evening, night watches have commenced as we make our way for Newcastle (via a couple of waypoints) with a task of being at anchor by 8-9 tomorrow morning.
Ticking off tasks from our list, we have completed the use of the rope swing, we have tied every knot (five) as judged by Lowey, and made a rope hammock that carried all 22 of us youthies, as judged by Matty.
Also in todays adventures, we had a visit from the RAAF who did a fly-by over us, so naturally we got all dressed up. Setting all the sails and cleaning up the deck made for some pretty pictures from above. Three groups of two jets took turns flying over our portside. They did however manage to fool us as we tracked two on the horizon, two more snuck up behind us. But do not fret, our dear Simon gave us an ear safety brief so we didn't all lose our hearing :)
The most beloved chef, Steve, cooked up a storm before having to hand over the chef hat to Lacey, Lumi, and Crystal who followed in his footsteps and kept us well fed. We started the day with the usual full English Breakfast, hashbrowns, sausages, eggs, baked beans and the lot before following into lunch with ham and cheese toasties and fettuccine rigatoni. We say a wonderful thank you to the three part-time chefs, for the Asian themed dinner cuisine. We feasted on green chicken curry and beef yellow curry on jasmine rice with sides of samosas and spring rolls.
This CLOG was brought to you by Hannah, under the direction of our current captain, Murray, and that's all I have for you guys.
Thank you, and see you tomorrow.
Sydney to Newcastle
02 December 2024
Day 7 – You won’t believe what happened to us in Fingal Bay!
As our propinquity to Newcastle grows closer, we find ourselves plagued with a bittersweet longing for the close comfort of home but also excitement for the much anticipated Young Endeavour Command Day. We started the day at 00:00 (literally), as we continued anchor watches from the night before. During these watches, us Youthies undertook a Navigation competition, our crowned winners being Hannah, Annabell and Charlie. Awoken to the festive Christmas anthem of Mariah Carey's 'All I want for Christmas is You', we started our day with an early morning game of evolution. For breakfast we had our usual croissants, fruit, bacon and eggs - courtesy of our fantabulous Chef Stevo, and might I say a pretty fancy feast.
We then started the preparation of our much anticipated Command Day; Captain's Setting and Furling. This activity required each watch to complete a necessary assessment in order for the captain to deem us competent in regards to sailing and safety - all watches received hefty green ticks, accompanied by some much needed Tim Tams. Next on the agenda was lunch, a fusion of Chinese Sweet and Sour Pork and Roasted Garlic Butter Turkey.
As we left our temporary home, we found solace in the sand bank of Fingal Bay, exploring a secluded, private part of our beautiful country - seemingly there just for us, a place that "took our breath away".
Fingal Bay; where the bright blue sky meets the cold clear water confound in the rocky palisades of the surrounding islands - our little corner of the world. Here we went swimming - of course - hugged a few trees, went snorkelling amongst dolphins, hiked to the lighthouse (where we saw Sperm Whale mates), played rope relay (which Red Watch won), followed by a bonus round of drawing the STS Young Endeavour in the sand (to which the Red Watch won again).
To surmise this perfect afternoon we had an indoor barbeque - courtesy of the flash storm that rocked the ship, and brought along with it an extravagant array of bright oranges and purples as the sun bid goodbye.
Here is where the real fun began: deciding on whom would assume the critical positions necessary for Command Day - a day wherein youthies take complete control of the ship and all corresponding positions. Elections took place over the course of an hour, as shipmates pitched their desires and qualifications for specific roles. The positions have been voted in as follows:
Captain: Murray
Sail Master: Annabell
Watch Officer: Om
Navigator: Mel
Watch Leaders: Gabe, Charlie and Indigo
Chefs: Lacey, Lumi, Crystal
A big congratulations to our fellow ship mates - tomorrow is expected to be an extraordinary adventure.
Tonight, as we lay at mid ships beneath the star-scattered sky, we watched 'Around Cape Horn' on the projector, a documentary narrated by Captain Irving Johnson, showcasing the treachery that lies within the unpredictability of the ocean - a harsh reminder that day two of our voyage wasn't all too bad.
As this marvelous day upon the STS Young Endeavour comes to an end, we once again conclude the night with anchor watches and much needed sleeping as we excitedly await Command Day.
Dearest mothers and fathers, we miss you so very much, and cannot wait to share the stories of this transformative adventure with you (lots of love, Emily, Peta and Indigo).
Quote of the day: "Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take... but by the moments that take our breath away"
