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Day 6 – Tacking into Frecinyet
Ahoy there land lubbers! Day 6 has been a blast, from hikes in Wineglass Bay to tacks in 30 knot winds (about 50km/h!).
Day 6 started with wake up at 6:30 for laps around the ships upper deck to wake our tired souls up from the anchor watches of the night before. Following this we threw down breakfast and prepared for the 8AM crew brief where we witnessed another tall ship sail past, “The Enterprize”, a replica tallship built in Hobart. We gave each others three cheers and they were on their way.
After that we prepared to hike up one of the mountains towering Wineglass Bay, we slip-slop-slapped, popped on our lifejackets and deployed to the beach in the RIBS(8 man power boats). After taking in the stunning views of Wineglass Bay from the beach we trekked up the trail to the Wineglass Bay lookout. Reaching the apex of the hike we were rewarded with gorgeous views of STS Young Endeavour sitting pretty while anchored in the bay and then tracked back down and finished up with a refreshing swim on the beach.
Following an eventful morning we had time to reflect on our voyage thus far coming back to our original set goals to see if we had made progress and to add new goals. Lightening the mood, musical fenders shook the deck (a derivate of musical chairs), dancing around to hits like “Dancing Queen” and “Rasputin”.
Preparing for command day, Captain Leupen prepared some demonstrational tacks so we are properly equipped for when we take over the ship. This practice was exhilarating due to crazy winds resulting in difficult tacks and high speeds, with the ship heeling at 15 degrees and crew members getting soaked with sea spray.
Overall, Day 6 was action packed and one of the best days yet (especially hugging trees after crossing the Bass Strait).
Written by, Sandy and Duncan +
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Weather: Sunny Wind: 28kn NNE Temp: 22C
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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!!
