Day 1 – Ahoy new shipmates :)
Ahoy there shipmates, landlubbers and armchair sailors, it was a great pleasure to meet the lovely youth crew of Voyage 08B/22 today alongside HMAS Waterhen, comprising 21 youth, from all over Australia (even NT and WA! yay!). They embarked at 1500 with a few family members in tow, who came to inspect the ship and the staff crew, and to farewell their loved ones for the next 10 days.
I told them to rest assured, we would take very good care of their young sailors, as we have a skilled and experienced staff crew for this voyage… Namely: Sail Master – Evan. Navigator – Emma. BOATSO – Matty. White Watch Leader – Theresa. Assistant White Watch Leader – Chucky. Red Watch Leader – Tori. Blue Watch Leader – TJ. Chef – Jenko. Engineer – Shaun.
On completion of the welcome and crew introductions, we farewelled family and friends, conducted a snappy safety brief and slipped out into Port Jackson. After a lovely, afternoon, mini harbour cruise, we came to anchor in the vicinity of Taronga Zoo in Athol Bay. Watch Leaders then kicked off the program with ice breakers and ships’ tours. A delicious dinner was served, then the Youth Crew were mustered at midships, where Shaun spoke of water and plumbing and ships husbandry.
Evan spoke to them about youth crew responsibilities and a few ‘guidelines’ to ensure communal harmony and unconditional positive regard for all. We are an intergalactic good vibes only zone, don’t you know! Then I spoke to them about what to expect over the next 10 days and ways to ensure maximum involvement in the program. Simply, to ‘get amongst it’, was the key. Youth crew then split into their watches again and began their seamanship training, consisting of line handling, safety and general principles, they also negotiated Full Value Contracts for the voyage.
Finally, Matty our safety and survival equipment expert gave them all a tour of the ships safety equipment. It’s going to be a big day tomorrow, and so our wonderful young sea-puppies turned in for a well deserved first nights sleep. Intention is to remain at anchor overnight, conducting first climbs in the forenoon, departing Sydney Harbour after lunch. The adventure has begun… I wonder where we’ll be this time tomorrow night?
Captain Adam Charlie Farley+
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Weather: Cloudy. Wind: NE @ 8kts. Temp: 20.
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Thank you Tarvi, Kaeden and Matt for your narrative of today's events. Intentions are to remain at anchor in Hunters Bay, just off HMAS Penguin, home of the RAN Diving School, a place close to my heart, having spent many a day there under training as a young Officer! The plan is to weigh anchor and proceed to HMAS Waterhen, in Waverton, to pick up our Community Day Sailors from the Windgap Foundation and take them for a sail around the harbour for 3 hours. The Youth Crew will help us host our visitors and give them an experience of Young Endeavour. We will drop them back to Waverton and then proceed to anchor in the harbour where we will have a good view of the Bridge and the Opera House for the Youth Crew's last night onboard. Until tomorrow. Yours Aye, Captain Mike