Day 8 – Command Day (Part 1)

Ahoy there landlubbers and armchairs sailors! Welcome to the Captain’s Log for Day 8… Command Day!
Overnight the Youthies kept us safe during their anchor watches with some opting to maximise their sleep ahead of their big day, and others being a bit too excited to hit the hay. Fortunately, they all had enough energy to be treated to a morning ashore on the beautiful Dunk Island for some beach games and a swim. After lunch we conducted “Opposites” where the Youthies partnered up with their Staffie counterparts for last minute tips and tricks before 1300 (1pm) rolled around… With the ship now firmly in the hands of our wonderful Youthies until 1300 tomorrow, it’s time for me to step away from the keyboard and let Captain Jaime take over! Captain Libby+
Today was the big day! For the Youthies, the day started early with a 6:30am wake up song and Early Morning Activity out on the deck. This was followed closely with breakfast, then the flag ceremony called “Colours” featuring Advance Australia Fair sung to the style of Working-Class Man. With little time to spare the “Shuttle” boat was lunched and crew including Staffies and Youthies were brought from Young Endeavour to the shores of Dunk Island. The almost deserted island might as well have replaced the definition of a tropical paradise! At least in looks it did… but as we all know, looks can be deceiving. The beach (if you could call it a beach) was scattered with what seemed like strategically placed rocks beneath the water line which made the landing a little treacherous.
Thankfully the afternoon took a turn in the right direction, as the Youthies described it. This was because at 1300 the eager Youthies snatched the keys and command of the STS Young Endeavour. From there, the Youthies have strategized and come up with plans to complete their given tasks and meet their deadlines. The night is still young, and anything is possible all, that can be said for certain is that the Youthies are in control! (The Staffies are on short term leave).
– Captain Jaime
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Partly Cloudy, Wind SE 15-20Kts, Swell SE 1m
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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!!