V05/13 – Day 3 – Sea to Batemans Bay

G’day Shipmates, Welcome to day 3 of our adventure under sail. The ship continued sailing south overnight making good 8 knots along the NSW coast on a quartering run on the port tack. The wind remained north-easterly at 25 – 30 knots and a 2m easterly swell was experienced for most of the night. The rolling motion this generated did not deter our Youth Crew who remained immersed in the challenge of sailing a tall ship. At the four hourly change of watch from the middle to the morning watches the ship successfully conducted a wear to turn the ships stern through the wind onto a quartering run on the starboard tack. With the rising of the sun, the promise of a new day and a cheerful wakey wakey song (attached below) from White Watch, many of the Youth Crew experienced a wonderful new sensation, that of being completely surrounded by an endless body of water after their first night at sea in Australia’s National Sail Training Ship. After another of Luke’s spectacular breakfasts we gathered on the bridge for the first at-sea morning brief. Today the crew met ‘Salty the Sea-Dog (Tim) and his not-so-beloved sidekick ‘Bully-Beans’ (Dougie) who explained the origin of some salty terms and gave the first ‘Pirate Attitude’ lesson. ‘Nana Diesel’ (Horto) also made her first appearance, giving tips on shipboard hygiene and cleanliness, which provided a lead-in to Happy Hour. The remainder of the forenoon consisted of sail handling drills followed by an hour of Silent Running when all power generation equipment and ventilation was shut down. This allows enjoyment of only the sounds of the wind in the rigging and waves against the hull. After lunch we kicked off the first round of Rope Races (Horto the engineer’s favourite activity). This lifted spirits and breathed some life into those who had been suffering the effects of the sea. We then clewed up the Topsail and Topgallant (put away the square sail), brailed the Mainsail and furled the Fore-and-aft sails prior to proceeding into a sheltered anchorage at Batemans Bay. After the ship safely came to anchor the Youth Crew undertook preparations for 3-Way Chats, which are another ice-breaker activity involving public speaking. The crew then enjoyed a spectacular BBQ dinner on deck, whilst taking in the views of Long and Maloneys Beaches. On completion of the 3-Way Chats, the Youth Crew then received a brief from Navigator Caitlin prior to settling into anchor watches through the night. The intention is to remain at anchor overnight prior to exploring Long Beach on Wednesday morning before we sail. Until tomorrow. Yours Aye Captain Mike WHITE WATCH WAKEY WAKEY SONG – TUE 26 FEB YOUNG ENDEAVOUR STYLE We got onboard on Sunday And had a pretty fun day We pulled some ropes We cracked some jokes And made it through to Monday. We climbed up the mast We came down very fast We went to go to bed And nearly hit our head But felt better at last. We set sail at sea It wasn’t meant to be We ate a dish We fed the fish And your spew was on me! Got out of bed Adventures a read You don’t want to miss A minute of this Now that’s been said. Chorus (x 2): We’re gonna wake up, we’re gonna getup Wake up, wake up, wake up, wake up Young Endeavour Style.