Day 9 – Command Day Part 2

Arrr! Ahoy there! Welcome to Day 9, Part 2 of the Command Day log! We started off with “Frozen Watch” taking the Guts Watch (0001 – 0400). The weather was nothing like we’ve ever seen before. Gusting winds of over 25 knots, swells big enough for us to roll out of our racks (Georgie) but that couldn’t defeat the high spirits and morale of our Youth Crew!
The midnight tack saw the already fatigued crew out of bed and on the deck waiting for Sail Master Tilly’s directions to wear the ship. This put us on a new course with the Navigator ensuring that we didn’t miss the waypoint set out. Rounds were conducted, hot chocolates were consumed and the Navigator determined that another tack was required. The crew was not thrilled due to the lack of sleep but they knew a job needed to be done. After the tack, the Watch Leader of Frozen Watch (Frosty) and Sail Master discussed a new plan of action. Whilst conducting a fix, a wave equivalent of the size of a tsunami (not really), collided with the port quarter causing Tilly and Frosty to join the Air Force (fly into the bulkhead). After repositioning and getting our bearings, we set for our waypoint.
Upon arrival into Edithburgh, we furled all our sails before the relief of turning on engines and coming to anchor. The watches swapped and the chefs began our breakfast. Amazing choc chip pancakes were made by Jackson, Georgie and Brownie (well done team). We then had our morning brief which consisted of a weather report and navigational update from Gazza along with a great story by our Watch Officer Lewis. A few wise words were given from Our Captain, Inara.
We then hooked straight into Happy Hour! On the completion of this, the Youth Crew handed over the keys to the ship back to Captain Adam Charlie Farley who congratulated the crew on completing the voyage with minimal casualties (AKA sleep). The final round of ropes races was the decider between all three watches. It was any watches game and the finale was decided by a life ring race. The Bluey’s came out the victors, just beating Red Watch by .2 milliseconds (never doubt the underdogs).
Dinner was as good as ever! Briskets and Butter Chicken always hit the spot. We are finally on our way back to Port Adelaide to share our experiences with the surrounding youth for a Community Day Sail.
Until tomorrow, Tilly, Frosty, Jackson and Inara out+
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Weather: Overcast with passing showers. Wind: SW @ 20-25kts. Swell: SW @ 1m. Temp: 17.
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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!!