Captain's Log

V14/25 Fremantle to Fremantle

21 August 2025

Day 11 – V14/25, Fremantle to Fremantle

Hi Everyone,

Welcome to Day 11 and the last of our voyage. Thankfully, the weather gods smiled upon us this morning and we awoke to an overcast but fine day. Following a 0630 Early Morning Activity it was straight to breakfast and packing of gear. While this was occurring, the Staffies weighed anchor and commenced our passage to Fremantle. During this passage, we conducted our final Morning Brief, then a quick clean of the Ship (snappy half-hour) before again mustering back on deck to lay aloft and Man the Yards for our entry into Fremantle.

At 0940, we made an impressive entry into Fremantle Harbour then proceeded alongside Bravo Berth at 1000 where we were welcomed by a good gathering of family and friends and a number of other interested people keen to get a close look at the ship. Once safely alongside the Youth Crew came down from the foremast (lay below) and gathered at midship’s, where they were officially welcomed by The Honourable Matt Keogh MP, then following this welcome I presented all of them with Certificates of Achievement and said our final sad goodbyes. Once the Youth Crew had departed the ship, the Staff set about completing ‘end of voyage checks’ and getting ready for our next voyage.

On a personal note, I would like to thank all of the Youth Crew of Voyage 14/25 for the effort that you have put in throughout this voyage. You are a wonderful group of young Australians, and all of the Staff Crew of Young Endeavour have enjoyed sharing this sailing adventure with you, and wish you all the very best for the future.

Until my next voyage, take care
Captain Gav.

Letter from the Youth Crew of Voyage 14/25 to Future Youthies

Dear future Youthies,

Being on Young Endeavour is an experience of a lifetime, with physical and mental challenges to be faced and overcome.

In numbers, this voyage is around 24 Youthies, 10 Staffies and 11 days of learning and developments. The program is so much more with strong friendships formed in the shared experiences on this beautiful brigantine.

Some aspects of the voyage are difficult; watches and seasickness being among them but don’t worry, they are all faced together. Just remember, Saos are life.

Development requires moving outside your comfort zone; luckily, this program is designed to create an environment where you feel comfortable enough to desire pushing your limits.

Your voyage will include a great many new memories. Some of our favourites were climbing the mast, exploring new places, snorkelling with sea friends and whale watching at sunrise.

We are coming to the end of our voyage, but yours has yet to begin. Seize the day and always make the most of it.

Love and encouragement,

From the Youthies of V14/25

Latitude/Longitude:

Conditions:

AUTHOR: Gavin Dawe

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Day 09 – V18/25, Geelong – Sydney

And to the sound of cannons firing in the mist the Young Endeavour sailed into Sydney Harbour this morning for the first time in nearly 7 months! Can you believe us Youthies sailed ourselves all the way into Sydney Harbour!? It feels like a dream! Day nine arrived with a round of happy birthdays for Youthie watch leader Eli at the midnight watch change where the Bilge Rats handed over to the Sea Cows. Overnight winds dropped as low as 0.5 knots sending on watch Navigator Jarrah into overdrive figuring out how to get us to Sydney by morning. A few gruelling hours later Nav Jarrah and Capt. Danni set a course that would see the Young Endeavor enter Sydney early the next morning. The whole youth crew worked tirelessly and effectively to do what we could with the wind dealt us. A few uneventful hours followed as we burned some dinosaurs to get to Sydney on time. Sailing into Sydney Harbour, we were contacted by the 7 News helicopter who congratulated us on our arrival and conclusion of the circumnavigation. They requested a firing round of canons and each Youthie was willing and able to fire their charge. As we turned through the heads we saw a shroud of fog covering our view of the bay and city, which slowly cleared as the early morning light brightened and burnt it off to reveal the magnificent skyline of the City of Sydney, the Opera House and the iconic Sydney Harbour Bridge. Once at anchor we deep cleaned the ship and enjoyed some well deserved rest, before spending the afternoon reflecting on our journey and just how far we had come. Not only through Command Day but as a crew forged by the trials and tribulations of sailing through Bass Strait and living life at sea. The final circumnavigation of Australia by this ship has been finished, but there are still plenty of adventure opportunities ahead. The crew are happy to be home, but some are already looking back out at the horizon wondering what the next adventure will bring. We will leave you with a small poem from Robert E. Howard: I have anchored my ship to a quiet port; A land that is holy and blessed But I look through my bars at the tempest’s sport And I long for the seas unrest.

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Day 08 – V18/25, Geelong – Sydney

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THE VOYAGE

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Day 11 – V14/25, Fremantle to Fremantle

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