VERY LITTLE WIND

Hi Everyone,Welcome to day 18 of our voyage. As forecast the wind moderated to less than 10kts overnight which sadly meant that our great run of sailing since departing Brest had come to an end and we had to start a main engine and motor sail so that we could maintain our required speed to reach Tenerife on schedule. Of note we had sailed just over 600nm since departing Brest without the use of an engine which is pretty good.This morning we ran a ‘make and mend’ routine encouraging everyone to take advantage of the fine weather and brilliant sunshine to wash and dry their clothing and air out their sleeping bags which made us look like a laundry ship but now hopefully everyone has some clean clothes.At the moment all of the watches are busy practicing their sail setting and furling in preparations for tomorrow mornings Captains Setting and Furling Drills. This activity is the final assessment prior to the Watch Leaders handing over more of the responsibility of running the watches to the World Voyagers who have already proven that they are well and truly ready to take on these extra challenges.Currently we are located 200nm to the west of Cape St Vincent (Southern Portugal) motor sailing in very light south westerly conditions and the Atlantic Ocean it is very calm.This evening we are back to Blue Watch writing the Log so please enjoy tonight’s edition written by Lewi and Fish (Kerrin).Until tomorrow, take careYours AyeCaptain GavCaptains Log 8 September 2015 V06/15Blue watch here, Lewi and Fish driving.The weather gods are not blowing in our favour for sailing, so the sails were furled and the motor engaged to ensure we can arrive in Tenerife on time. On the plus side, this has resulted in glassy seas and wonderful temperatures for lazing about on the deck in our spare time.The morning began with Salty explaining the derivation of the name of Nelson’s Balls (red and green coloured balls each side of the helm). Somehow, a mystical monkey helped Nelson beat Hitler at the battle of Waterloo, and as such has had his temperature reading bits brassed into history. Some of us left feeling a whole lot smarter, and some of us left feeling a whole lot of confusion (Salty included, I think).The egg drop challenge was a success, of sorts. Each watch tried eggcitedly to build a device to safely lower their fearless, but emotionally disturbed, watch leader egg-avatar from the lower top of the foremast. Part of the eggsperimental creativity was to write an ode to the leaders, describing their descent into madness, while they were eggcelerated (rather rapidly) from the foremast lower top, with a very suspect fall restrain device. None of fearless watch leader eggs made it through, with Dr Nick calling eggsact time of death with great haste (and his wonderful bedside manner to boot). The poems written even brought one watch leader to tears. Unfortunately, no one knows if they were of sadness or laughter.Dr Nick likes any excuse to remove his shirt, so he volunteered to lead a PT class on the upper deck. It was a raging success, with all participants immediately feeling stronger and fitter. This feeling lasted only minutes, however, as the lack of cardio caught up rather quickly, and the rest of the 45 minute session was a tough slog. An optimistic call for volunteers for a follow up session was made.Following this burst of physical activity, the crew were treated to the musical talents of Dan and Dougie, on the guitar and flute, respectively. Both immensely talented, the soothing tones of Dan’s voice helped the burn subside for the short term future. Dr Nick gleefully reminded everyone that the real pain starts 48 hours after exercise (there’s that bedside manner again).Tonight Blue watch will be coached by the irrepressible Horto on the fore-and-aft sails, in preparation for tomorrow’s captain’s challenge, when each watch will be tested on these skills. Knowledge of these sails is vital for us to be able to sail the ship toward our future destinations, and not simply go where the wind takes us (as fun as that could be).From somewhere in the Atlantic,Fish and LewiShout Outs:Fish – Belated fathers day dada. Patrick, look after battlecat for me, will be back soon enough to take the cranky one off you. Kirstin, congratulations on your amazing achievement. Love to you all. Xxxx KerrinBrittney (Rudy) – Hi Mum & Dad, a perfect day for fishing on the water today so thinking of you bulkest ïŠ Have had a line out the back for a couple of days on and off and still nothing!!! Hope everything is going well back home, give Holly and Jay my love xx
Latitude/Longitude:
Conditions:
Currently located 200nm to the west of Cape St Vincent (Southern Portugal) motor sailing in very light south westerly winds with nil swell. Our current speed is 6kts and the temperature is 22 degrees.
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Hi Everyone, Welcome to Day 8 of our voyage and Command Day. Thankfully the weather improved overnight and a well rested Youth Crew awoke to a beautiful Tasmanian morning with clear skies. Following Morning Brief I conducted Captain Setting and Furling Drills which is our final activity leading up to the Youth Crew taking command of the ship and I am pleased to announce that all watches passed with flying colours. Once completed, the Youth Crew Command Team were given 30 minutes with the Staff Crew so that they could ask questions that may assist them in their elected positions throughout their Command period. Once finished we rigged the rope swing and gave everyone a chance to have a swim in the cool (some would say cold) clear water of Prosser Bay. At 1300 this afternoon we all gather at midships and I handed over the Command Day instructions and the ‘telescope of challenge’ to Youth Crew Captain Paige which officially commenced the exciting 24hr Command Day period. One of the many tasks for Command Day is the writing of the Captains Log so here is tonight’s edition written by Captain Paige. Until tomorrow, take care. Captain GavHello all, Today’s events were very exciting for all youth crew, as today is the day the staff hand over the ship and let the youthies take control. The day for us youthies started by the staff woke us all up to Ain’t No Mountain High Enough by Marring Aye and Timmi Terrell through the main broad cast. We then had a scrumptious breakfast of bacon, eggs, mushrooms, cereal, yogurt and toast. Which was provided to us by the amazing Haydo and the master chef’s Tiff, Jasper and Jack. Breakfast was followed by morning brief where we are informed of the weather conditions, the Captain always provides us with an inspirational daily quote, and what the daily plan is going to look like. Once morning brief was wrapped up red and white watch performed happy hour while blue watch performed the Captains setting and furling. This allows the staff crew to insure all the youthies are safe and capable to take command of the ship. Once all the watches rotated though performing the Captains setting and furling the elected youth crew sat down and conducted opposites which is where the staff command team discus with the youth crew the best way to go about performing the roles they are taking over for the 24 hour period. Since it was such a nice day the staff decided we do Swimex which is where staff and youth crew that are brave enough to conure the cold water temperatures of Tassie are allowed a short period of time to have some water fun this includes jumping off the rope swing, using the Lilly pad which is a large foam mat jumping off the side of the boat and the bow sprit. When the Swimex came of a close it was time for lunch which was pasta bake, Bolognese, lamb and Pork chops, cheese and garlic breads which were freshly made that morning by Haydo. Hand over to youth crew was conducted at 1300. During the 24hrs that the youth crew have control of the ship the staff go on holiday down stairs where they have access to a bowling alley, cinema, and Maddie opens the heated swimming pool along with other amazing facilities. Part of hand over the Captain, what given a sheet of 30 tasks that we need to perform as many as we can throughout the period of time we are given. The first task was to assemble a row boat team to row to shore to acquire the navigation instructions, other tasks includes creating a rope hammock that will support all the youth crew at once, Theresa’s knot tying challenge and many more exciting and challenging things. Once the navigator marked out waypoints we weighed anchor and set sail though Mercury Passage. We are now carrying out night watches and on our way to the next anchoring spot which is unknown as of the moment. Until the next log update Yours truly Captain Paige

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