V05/13 – Day 2 – Newcastle to Sea

Hello Shipmates, Welcome to Day 2 of the voyage. Following a well deserved and much needed good night’s rest the Youth Crew awoke at 0700 to a wonderful sunny Newcastle morning. After our Early Morning Activity and breakfast the Youth Crew were mustered on the port side of the bridge and introduced to the traditional ceremony of Colours (the raising of the ships flags) and the singing of the National Anthem. We then had our morning brief and on completion it was straight into cleaning stations (this activity is known as our ‘Happy Hour’ and even has its own little song). The crew then progressed deck safety training to ensure when we got to sea our new crew members would have the necessary training to ensure they could carry out the basics of setting and furling Young Endeavour’s sails safely. The Ship was also visited by ‘Captain Safety’ (Dougie’s alter-ego who wears his undies on the outside of his lycra suit!) who gave a more detailed presentation on the items of safeTty equipment onboard. We stopped for lunch at 1115 and then made final preps to put to sea. The ship then cast off all lines and departed the Fitzroy St Wharf at 1200, negotiating the strong tidal streams combined with storm-water run-off within Newcastle harbour and proceeding to sea. The Ship pitched quite significantly as we passed through the waves and swell in the outer harbour entrance channel and the Youth Crew got their first taste of her motion at sea. Once safely clear of the channel the Youth Crew began practising setting and furling the Staysails as we made ground to the south. We stopped for lunch, which was not as well attended as previous meals as some Youth Crew were now feeling the effects of motion sickness. After lunch Rico gave a briefing on the procedures for setting the Square sails and the Mainsail. The Topsail and Topgallant Squares were then set, followed by the Mainsail, after which the engines were shut-down. After dinner the Jib was set and the Ship sent to Tacking Stations in order that the Youth Crew could experience Tacking and Wearing the Ship and what their individual duties entailed. This is also conducted to satisfy me that the crew are capable of altering the course of the Ship during the night, if necessary. In the 25 knot NE conditions with those sails set we achieved over 9 knots of boat speed. We completed this practical training at 1830 and the crew prepared for their first night at sea, which involves keeping 4 hour Sea Watches through the night, during which they will keep the Ship safe performing duties as helmsman, lookouts, and conducting below deck engineering rounds. No doubt the crew will sleep well after a busy day! Until tomorrow, Yours Aye Captain Mike