Day 4 – Square Sailing Banks Passage

Ahoy from the best watch group aboard the Young Endeavour… BLUE WATCH READY!!!
We are so happy to be reporting on day four especially after surviving the terrors of sea sickness, but thankfully our sea legs have formed and our spirits are unmatched, Blue watch ready?
The Youthies woke up to Land Ahoy and an immediate rick roll over the loudspeaker. With thanks to our lord and saviour Steve, we filled our bellies with another fabulous Brekkie and went on deck to get our glimpses of the small island they call Tasmania. Right after the morning meeting and happy hour (which is starting to live up to its name) we all begin to furl in all the sails as one big team to get ready for anchor. Everyone made the most of the time at anchor to wash clothes, each lunch and catch up on some well needed sleep – big wins for siesta… and blue watch always.
With the great siesta over, the Youthies were ready for some very competitive rope races (dominated by blue as usual) Our highlight of the day in which everyone would agree was a new activity called three-way chats where we got to understand the lives of crew members beyond the boat. We met these chats with amazing presentations and a VERY competitive round of charades which was just a belly of laughs.
We then pulled up the anchor and made our way along the Tassie coast, setting the sails again and learning to brace the yard. Once away, we tucked in for another stellar Steve meal and while the rest of our crew has settled in for some fat naps, Blue Watch is currently working hard on the First Watch, as usual.
Coming in live, we have beautiful conditions, a stunning sunset, and thousands of flies! Since when does Tassie attract flies? But as always, our perfect and flawless staff have kept spirits high, with their amazing enthusiasm, keeping all of our spirits well above the clouds… most of the time.
Tomorrow, we look forward to stepping onto land for the first time in three days (even with our newfound sea legs) and giving a bucket of kisses and hugs to one lucky Tassie tree.
Ahoy to all our family and friends eagerly reading in from across the Bass Strait or waiting for our arrival in one piece. BLUE WATCH READY!
Lachie and Tildy
Onward. Forward.
Ted Lasso
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Weather: Sunny Wind: 10kn NW Temp: 19C
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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!!